Greenhouse

R Hansen via pbs pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net
Fri, 08 Jan 2021 10:20:17 PST
Pamela's comments on ground cloth, I'm assuming she means the woven
polypropylene (but perhaps she meant the felted) and its usefulness in the
greenhouse are important. I've used this (in 10 and 12-foot widths) since I
started the nursery for many applications. I was delighted to see when even
the local BiMart (similar to Target but more farm-oriented) started carrying
3-foot widths. The stuff is so useful.

Probably the most important reason I use it is that having worked in
commercial nurseries for several years, I've seen the nursery dogs - often
larger breeds like German Shepherds - spend years running around on 3/4
minus gravel typically used everywhere in a nursery. The consequence is that
these dogs by the age of six or even earlier become crippled with arthritis.
Ground cloth, even with some small gravel under it, avoids this. Plus a good
corn broom works beautifully and I routinely sweep several times a year.
I've not had any critters come up through it either. I don't use the felted
stuff for the reasons she mentions - silt build-up.

The advantage of the woven material is that weeds don't grow through it,
water drains as well as bare dirt and in muddy environments which I have in
spades right now, you're not tracking dirt in the house and it gives you a
better footing. When I cut it, the edges ravel, so I light a candle and
carefully melt the cut edge. I have pieces of ground cloth more than 30
years old where the melted edges are holding up very well. I do fold the
edges and tuck them under when I drive in the 6" staples, but the longevity
of this woven stuff (in my climate, anyway) is amazing.

My lean-to greenhouse is about to be built so all these tips on little
details are hugely helpful!

Robin Hansen
SW Oregon


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