Should I , or shouldn't I?

Little Thumb 5/26/2010, 9:51 am

Should I or shouldn't I Poke holes in my weed barrier to stake my pepper plants and small grape tomato plant? Any other way I can stake these plants without putting holes in the the barrier? We have high winds on a regular bases and these little guys suffer.

thanks

Little Thumb

**timwardell** 5/26/2010, 10:07 am

Is a conduit/nylon net trellis an option? Putting even a few small holes in your weed barrier will defeat the whole purpose of having the weed barrier. Grass and weeds will find those holes and invade your SFG - unless your SFG is on concrete or barren/weed-free land. Smile

Another option might be to get a round hoop-type tomato cage (the cone shaped type) and place it upside down - with the smooth round "top" part laying on top of your weed barrier. This still might not have much stability in 6" of Mel's Mix but it's a thought. ... The conduit/nylon net trellis really is a great option for maximum support while NOT poking holes in the weed barrier.

boffer 5/26/2010, 10:13 am

Hi,

Holes in the weedcloth? If you have mild mannered, easily tamed grass and weeds, go for it. If, as some on the forum have described, you have terribly invasive weeds that always win, you probably wouldn't want to.

Here's a pic from last year. I use the 1x2 rectangular frame to drape plastic, like a pup tent, to shed my winter rains. You could make something similar above your peppers. Then use string or bamboo sticks from it to the box edges to support your plants. Just an idea to get you thinking! Wink

jenjehle 5/26/2010, 1:21 pm

I do it, haven't had any problems yet. I used the round stakes for my tomatoes last year; think I only staked a few. Haven't had any invasions this year. Actually I don't think I've pulled many weeds at all.

BUT... I have had to up-root a few helicopters that have planted themselves and began to grow little trees in my beds! Not b/c of using the stakes though Smile

Wyldflower 5/26/2010, 1:33 pm

I'm planning to use the "Florida Weave" technique for my bush plants (which are all in one row). If you haven't seen the discussion about that, do a search for "weave" on the forums... or check THIS from Fine Gardening.

I'll use some 4' rebar, pounded into the ground just outside my SFG box, and then I'll "plant" some bamboo stakes between the plants - but NOT piercing the weed barrier.

I think that even if the bamboo stakes aren't firm in the ground, they will stand up straight enough if I tie the weave fairly tightly to the rebar.

What do others think of that as a plan of action?

Retired Member 1 5/26/2010, 2:49 pm

Depending on how far apart your outer posts are, I doubt you will need bamboo stakes. I used a florida weave a few years ago (before I knew what it was) with posts 8' apart and it worked fine. Some strands sagged a bit, but others held the tomatoes firm. That was for 4 tomato plants.

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Should I , or shouldn't I?

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Holes in my weed barrier

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