Comments on: burlap bags in Seattle?

By: Neal Oberg

Neal Oberg — Tue, 07 Jun 2005 04:37:02 +0000

Costco gives away their empty burlap bags from their coffee– just ask for them.

By: Grouchy Chris

Grouchy Chris — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 04:52:16 +0000

Maybe Ulysses and Carol could hook you up with some coffee bags.

By: Cam

Cam — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 03:23:46 +0000

Thanks, folks!

Ooh, coir matting — I’ve seen that cut into really nice permanent mulch.

I’m replacing the back lawn with all sorts of things — more vegetables and herbs, some flowers, mosses, groundcovers, rocks, and shredded bark. Out in front I’ll probably put in one of those ecoturf mixes, but probably not this year.

The plan is to follow the Lawn and Garden Hotline instructions for getting rid of your lawn. First you mow the lawn to within an inch of its life. Then you put down a layer of compost or grass clippings about an inch thick. On top of that goes burlap, newsprint, or cardboard; on top of that go a few inches of compost and then some mulch. “It’s like a lasagne,” explained the hotline staffer.

You can plant right on the top. Over time, the grass dies and the burlap/newspaper layer is composted away. Probably next spring I’ll turn over or rototill most of the yard (oof).

We’ve got five cubic yards of compost under tarps in the driveway. I feel rich.

By: wolffire

wolffire — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 03:11:43 +0000

We used the newspaper and cardboard method. We put about an inch or two of a sawdust and manure mixture on top and proceeded with planting our garden that same year.

By: Savannah

Savannah — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 02:51:42 +0000

My boss is currently killing his lawn with black plastic yard bags held down with lumber and boulders.

By: Ilmarinen

Ilmarinen — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 01:56:25 +0000

My landscape architect says he found a place that will order and sell small quanities of coir matting (coconut fiber)–small being a roll at a time vs. a pallet or more from wholesale/contractor suppliers. We are using it on a project in a (probably partially vain) attempt at smothering the blackberries on some creek banks (can’t do any disruptive work in there). So he was curious and found a local supplier for his personal use. It is good stuff, and would work much better than mere burlap bags–wouldn’t have seams, etc. I’m thinking of using it on my hillside to kill some of the ivy. Then I’d plant stuff through some slices in it.

I’m unclear on what one does after killing the grass. You still have to rototill the sod under or something, right?

What’s the planned replacement? Have you seen this company:
http://www.protimelawnseed.com/ecology_mixes.html

I’m thinking of using some of their lawn replacement seed mixes.

-B.

By: Ulysses

Ulysses — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 01:38:45 +0000

I believe we still have some burlap bags, if so you’re welcome to them.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:31:08 +0000

What’s your strategy to prevent erosion?

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:20:09 +0000

I have been told that spraying vinegar will kill weeds and grass both.