Carpets and the organic garden

[kuhlwolf]

Carpet used as a mulch

Question ...

Our allotment committee has decided to ban the use of all carpets for mulching on plots. We are having a debate here about the use of carpets and whether you would agree with banning all types, and what are the reasons for this change in opinion?

Answer ...

Our guidelines for gardeners on the use of carpet as a mulch have been reviewed (Oct 2006) and we no longer recommend using any carpets in this way. It was felt that where previously we advised that only natural fibre carpets could be used, many carpets now are treated with moth repellents and fire retardants. Even if you know the fibre content of old carpet you are unlikely to know what other treatments it may have received that may pose a problem especially if the carpet is left in place to decompose. It therefore makes sense for us to advise against using all carpet on the garden or allotment and to recommend the many other safe alternatives such as cardboard over newspaper, weed control fabrics and permeable mulch matting that can be reused to keep areas covered when not in cultivation.

Recycling Old Carpet In the Garden

By: Julie Day
…Not only am I believer in organic gardening, but I’ve also rehabbed several yards that were landscaped with buried carpet, plastic sheeting, and numerous other unexplainable pieces of debris. Years later, bits of slimy material continue to work their way to the surface, usually to be hit by my lawn mower or yanked using thick gloves. It’s been the source of some of my most creative grossed-out grumbling!

On the Other Hand:

• The “Ew” Factor: If you’ve ever pulled old carpet out of a house, you know that it’s a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. After a couple of years of rain and soil, “Zen” is not exactly the term that comes to mind!
• Soil Contamination: Synthetic carpet is made of petroleum products that have been treated with chemicals and cleaners – do you really want this leaching out into your soil?
• Nothing Lasts Forever: Even though synthetic carpet is veeeeerrry slow to decompose, it will fall apart (especially if the binding is organic) and will be hard to remove. And if weeds do grow on top of your carpet, their roots will twine through the fibers, making them nearly impossible to pull.

Choose natural fibers.

Earth-Friendly Recycling:

If you want to use underlayment, here are some ideas that are more environmentally friendly:

• Carpet or blankets made of 100% natural fibers such as wool, cotton, or jute
• Pieces of cardboard
• Thick layers of newspapers

You may need to replace these in a few years, but your soil will be much less contaminated. If you have old synthetic carpeting to dispose of, check around – recycling programs are spring up all over the place to turn old carpet into building and paving materials, insulation, new carpet, and all sorts of useful things!