One gardener posted a photo of his newly made raised garden beds to the subreddit r/gardening and asked a controversial question: Should you line them with plastic before adding soil?
Commenters were quick to weigh in, unanimously agreeing, “No.”
Photo credit: Reddit
“Regular cardboard is better. Remove any tape, staples, etc. Cardboard handles moisture well,” one person advised. “Weeds will grow.”
“Don't use plastic to get rid of weeds, just cardboard,” agreed another. “Then fill it with good soil and start planting.”
Some people, like the OP, consider using plastic sheeting as a way to smother unwanted weeds. The problem with this method is that the typically heavy material blocks important nutrients, oxygen, and sunlight from reaching plants that need to grow (per Treehugger ).
Not only that, plastic contains thousands of chemicals, many of which have been found to be harmful, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. According to the Geneva Environment Network, exposure to plastic has been linked to certain cancers, reproductive and developmental problems, cognitive impairment, respiratory problems, premature death, and many other issues.
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Using cardboard instead, as several commenters have suggested, is a less harmful option than plastic or landscaping “fabric” (which is also often made from plastic). Cardboard can smother weeds, but it doesn't compact the soil or harm soil health. In fact, according to The Garden Professors, landscaping fabric reduces air flow between the soil and the atmosphere by 1,000 times more than wood-chip-type mulch.
Plus, cardboard is generally made from organic matter, so as it decomposes it can enrich the soil instead of depleting it. (Make sure your cardboard doesn't have any harmful dyes or tapes on it, as these chemicals can leach into the soil.)
For an all-natural garden, choose to compost yard waste such as leaves and twigs, and also avoid chemical products and materials labeled as “natural.”
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