I suggest putting down a barrier. 5 layers of newspaper is as cheap as it gets, but cardboard is more effective. You can always buy landscape fabric if you really want that, but newspaper and cardboard work great.

In addition to the commercial weed cloth on the ground, I stapled a layer to the bottom of the boxes and covered that with 1/2" hardware cloth for critter control.

{{gwi:1275157}}

wow steve,

I guess nothing is coming up through your garden!

I did like Steve for my first box, not yet filled with mix. I am wondering, though, about drainage through landscape fabric. Is that an issue?

David

Wow, that is some serious critter barrier! Too late for me on that complete a barrier, my boxes are partially dug into the ground, it is on a slope, so to get an even bed...I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Thanks for the feedback, folks - looks like tomorrow I will be pulling the mix out and setting up a barrier!

But don't stop with suggestions - there's still time & I'm listening.

I would think that mix 8-10" deep would kill the grass unless you have a really agressive lawn.

If you're going to empty the boxes, I'd go with cardboard or newspaper so worms will be able to get to your garden.