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Avatar for Frillylily
Jul 26, 2014 8:10 AM CST
Thread OP
Missouri (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier
I have a large yard which will have areas through my yet to exist garden, that will be major walkways. To the deck, to the shed, to the now imaginary chicken house and so forth. I was wondering about laying some thick old carpet down to define those walks and then covering it with straw as a mulch. Has anyone did this? I wonder how long it takes to break down badly enough that weeds start taking over? If it lasted 7 or 8 years I would do it. If it only lasted 3 to 5, I don't know if it would be worth the effort to me. Will it make a difference if I use two layers vs one? or use a particular type of carpet?
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Jul 26, 2014 4:28 PM CST
Name: Frank Richards
Clinton, Michigan (Zone 5b)

Hydrangeas Peonies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Master Level
In 2007 I ripped up my carpet and installed hardwood floors. Rather than haul it to the dump, I decided to repurpose it as a mulch fabric. I covered it with pea gravel. Worked out great and is still in good shape.


Thumb of 2014-07-26/frankrichards16/735be8 Thumb of 2014-07-26/frankrichards16/4cd1a3
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Jul 26, 2014 8:25 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
There's actually an article right here on ATP about using carpet for garden paths: http://garden.org/ideas/view/E...
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
Avatar for Frillylily
Jul 26, 2014 8:50 PM CST
Thread OP
Missouri (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier
oh, thank you Sandy I knew there was an article but I couldn't find it!

Frank, thank you that is very helpful! I wonder if it lasts longer with gravel over it? I bet the organic stuff layered on the top would make it rot down faster? I don't think I could use gravel for what I am doing because I don't have access to gravel and it is just lil ol me doing it and would require too many muscles Smiling
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Jul 26, 2014 9:04 PM CST
Name: Sandy B.
Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b)
(Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Charter ATP Member Bee Lover Butterflies Birds I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Seed Starter Vegetable Grower Greenhouse Region: United States of America Region: Michigan Enjoys or suffers cold winters
To say nothing of the fact that, in my experience at least, any kind of gravel seems to end up where you want it the least! Ugh!! (sorry, Frank -- I've recently threatened my husband with bodily injury if he puts any kind of small rock/gravel ANYWHERE !!)
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer
C/F temp conversion
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Jul 27, 2014 5:36 AM CST
Name: Annie
Waynesboro, PA (Zone 6a)
Cat Lover Region: Pennsylvania Keeper of Poultry
I've used carpet under woodchip mulch. Most types of carpets are synthetic fiber and will last at least 3-5 years even in wet conditions. The plus side is, even after the carpet starts to rot, if you've kept after any weeds that come up (and they will, occasionally) the path should remain fairly weed free, especially if you put down fresh mulch on a regular basis.
I am not "country" I am "landed gentry."
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Jul 30, 2014 1:42 PM CST

I did it many times lasted a long time , worth the try and a nice way of disposing ole carpet.
Avatar for Frillylily
Jul 30, 2014 4:55 PM CST
Thread OP
Missouri (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier
Great! I am planning on doing this at the point. I will not let my dh know until I have a dozen rolls of old carpet out here lol he will die...


@fatimason your hair? I like it, looks nice... I finally gave up on hair and cut mine short too! and I love it!
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Jul 31, 2014 1:13 PM CST
central Illinois
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Hosted a Not-A-Raffle-Raffle Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Plant Identifier Garden Ideas: Level 2
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Avid Green Pages Reviewer Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Photo Contest Winner: 2017
I've used left over carpet for garden paths as it makes an easy to see well defined path when getting dark, suppresses weeds, and is comfortable under foot.
Nothing that's been done can ever be changed.
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Aug 16, 2014 8:39 PM CST
Name: Elfrieda
Indian Harbour Beach, Florida (Zone 10a)
Annuals Foliage Fan Herbs Hibiscus Master Gardener: Florida Roses
Salvias Sedums Sempervivums Enjoys or suffers hot summers Ferns Dragonflies
I understand that it would suppress weeds, but doesn't it smell when it gets very wet and starting to rot? What about mold issues? I think I would prefer landscape cloth, which you can find cheap at places like Big Lots, with some mulch over t.
“I was just sittin’ here enjoyin’ the company. Plants got a lot to say, if you take the time to listen”
Eeyore
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Aug 17, 2014 5:31 AM CST
Name: Annie
Waynesboro, PA (Zone 6a)
Cat Lover Region: Pennsylvania Keeper of Poultry
I've never noticed any kind of smell, once the carpet is covered with mulch. I've even used *ick* carpet that was obviously "doggied up" and smelled dreadful. Once the mulch is on it, the smell is gone. I think the bacteria/fungi in the natural mulch neutralize any odors. And as it rots, it simply "composts"...the fully rotted carpet is like any other compost. A plus to carpeting over landscape cloth is that it's not slippery. I've tried using some plastic based weed suppression stuff under mulch and usually especially when wet, it is very slippery to walk on or if on a hill, the mulch slides down it. Carpet's texture holds it in place.
I am not "country" I am "landed gentry."
Avatar for Frillylily
Aug 17, 2014 10:12 AM CST
Thread OP
Missouri (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier
I never thought about the carpet offering some traction to the mulch. I used to have problems at my previous house with the mulch washing downhill in heavier rains. I do think carpet might have fixed that for me there. I don't think there would be any smell really since it is outside.
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Aug 18, 2014 10:33 AM CST
Name: Donald
Eastland county, Texas (Zone 8a)
Raises cows Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: Texas Plant Identifier
I've used carpet with some degree of success early. The problem I had was that the carpet fibers weren't bio-degradable. Or at least some weren't. When the inevitable decaying occurred, it seemed to be more on the backing and the end result was carpet debris not staying in place. It's been years since I used it and I still find those fibers. The first year or two it worked well. I think different types of carpet might work differently, depending on how they are manufactured. Not necessarily a 'one size fits all' scenario.
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Oct 22, 2014 10:57 AM CST
Name: Thom Foote
Colbert, WA (Zone 6a)
Organic herb farmers
Old carpet can also be used a "pre-liner" in ponds. Put it down before you put down an EPDM or bentonite layer.
Avatar for Frillylily
Oct 22, 2014 4:38 PM CST
Thread OP
Missouri (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier
I have done that it worked well, I used a thick heavy carpet.
Avatar for roblilly
Mar 23, 2020 11:28 AM CST

Blilly

I recycle carpet and am also an organic gardener. Many of the carpet fibers decay in sunlight but can last for 100s of years in a landfill where they are kept in the dark. Therefore a layer of pea gravel would prevent the sunlight from degrading the carpet. Carpet in general is made of 60 % inert (polypropylene, nylon, and polyester) fiber with 40 % backing (CaCO3, latex plus some organics if post consumer).

I plan to use carpet/gravel for the walking paths in an urban garden between raised beds.
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Mar 23, 2020 4:51 PM CST
Name: stone
near Macon Georgia (USA) (Zone 8a)
Garden Sages Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Plant Identifier
shag carpet deteriorates fairly rapidly.
The short varieties work fine for me.... whether I'm attempting to kill plants that have wicked fierce stolons, or using the carpet on a slope to prevent erosion...

No smell from my use of the secondhand carpet either...
Avatar for Frillylily
Mar 23, 2020 5:23 PM CST
Thread OP
Missouri (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier
do you mean the really short kind like they use in offices?
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Mar 23, 2020 6:48 PM CST
Name: Critter (Jill)
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Critters Allowed Butterflies Hummingbirder Cat Lover
Bee Lover Region: Mid-Atlantic Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Tropicals Hibiscus
I have a roll of old carpet in the basement and have been going back & forth for years on whether or not to use it for garden paths. All those stain-resistant coatings and inorganic fibers -- would I need to worry about what is leaching into my soil?
We're all learners, doers, teachers.
Avatar for Frillylily
Mar 23, 2020 7:03 PM CST
Thread OP
Missouri (Zone 6a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Identifier
never had an issue, but I only grow flowers, not food plants, I use it for walkways. I figure if it's safe to have in your home everyday, why not walk on it outside?

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