gardening with cardboard boxes

1. Can you plant things in cardboard boxes?
2. Is it safe to use cardboard in vegetable garden?
3. How long does it take for cardboard to decompose in a garden?
4. Can plant roots grow through cardboard?
5. Can you start seeds in cardboard boxes?
6. Can I use cardboard as mulch?
7. Can you put cardboard on the bottom of a raised garden bed?
8. Should I put cardboard in raised beds?
9. Are there toxins in cardboard?
10. Do cardboard boxes attract bugs?
11. What is the best thing to put under mulch?
12. Can you use cardboard instead of landscape fabric?
13. Does cardboard kill grass?
14. Can you start seeds in egg cartons?
15. What is the cheapest way to start seeds indoors?
16. What is the best way to start seeds indoors?
17. Does cardboard under mulch attract termites?
18. Can you lay cardboard over weeds?

Can you plant things in cardboard boxes?

Yes, you can grow plants in a cardboard box. With this method, you can transplant the box and plants into your garden and let the cardboard decompose underground. You can also compost the cardboard or use it as mulch (ground cover) for weed control.

Is it safe to use cardboard in vegetable garden?

Reusing cardboard for the garden provides compostable material, kills pesky weeds and develops a bumper crop of earthworms. Cardboard in the garden will also kill lawn grass and help you get a new bed ready for veggies, ornamentals or whatever you want to grow.

How long does it take for cardboard to decompose in a garden?

In more typical garden conditions -- when a piece of cardboard is used as mulch or specifically shredded and soaked to decompose efficiently -- biodegradation occurs quickly, with the majority of cardboard completely broken down within three months.

Can plant roots grow through cardboard?

Regular watering softens the cardboard and by the time the plants have grown to almost full size the roots can easily penetrate deeper through the cardboard into the soil underneath. Because the plants are in soft compost and mulch they sprout so much easier and before you know it they are looking fantastic.

Can you start seeds in cardboard boxes?

Cardboard Seed Starters

Cardboard boxes are the perfect solution for starting seeds because you can keep them growing inside longer, giving you stronger seedlings. (Don't forget to provide them with plenty of light for optimum results.) Then just plop the whole thing, box and all, into your garden.

Can I use cardboard as mulch?

Fortunately, you can use corrugated cardboard as mulch, saving you money and recycling your cardboard surplus at the same time. If you don't like the look of cardboard mulch, you can cover it with any mulch of your choice. Avoid using wax-coated cardboard that restricts water penetration to the soil.

Can you put cardboard on the bottom of a raised garden bed?

You should use cardboard or newspaper in the bottom of your raised garden bed for one very good reason: keeping the weeds out. For the best results, you should place a single layer of cardboard or five or six layers of newspaper at the bottom of your bed.

Should I put cardboard in raised beds?

If you are creating raised garden beds, you can prevent weeds from growing into your raised bed by first putting down cardboard.

Are there toxins in cardboard?

Researchers found toxic chemicals from recycled newspapers had contaminated food sold in many cardboard cartons. The chemicals, known as mineral oils, come from printing inks. Cereal firm Jordans has stopped using recycled cardboard and other firms are to ensure their recycled packaging does not contain any toxic oils.

Do cardboard boxes attract bugs?

Cardboard is a food source to roaches and they'll eat it wherever they find it. Do cardboard boxes attract roaches? While cockroaches will happily seek out and eat cardboard by itself, cardboard boxes are even more attractive to them. They'll eat the cardboard and the glue that binds them, and live and breed inside.

What is the best thing to put under mulch?

Use several layers of old newspaper in place of black plastic weed barrier if you want a more environmentally friendly way to reduce weed growth through your mulch. Lay the newspaper down and cover with a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch.

Can you use cardboard instead of landscape fabric?

A free, biodegradable alternative to landscape fabric is to use simple old cardboard. ... Cardboard is applied to the area. Then a layer of mulch goes on top of that.

Does cardboard kill grass?

As an eco-friendly alternative, you can kill some of your grass and plant a low-maintenance garden filled with drought-tolerant plants. Rather than cutting the sod or spraying harmful chemicals, you can use cardboard to kill the weeds and grass, with considerably less effort.

Can you start seeds in egg cartons?

You can use egg cartons as a seed-starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade. Be sure to poke small holes for drainage, and put the cartons on a tray or in a shallow pan to catch any residual water.

What is the cheapest way to start seeds indoors?

Use Yoplait Kids Plastic Cups/ or any other item in your kitchen to start your seeds indoors. Use Plastic wrap over each of your homemade containers until your seed sprouts to keep in the warmth. Use Seed Starting Soil Mix– it's lighter. The other stuff may work or it may not.

What is the best way to start seeds indoors?

How to Start Vegetable Seeds Indoors

1. Purchase your seeds from a trusted source. ...
2. Pot with seed-starting mix. ...
3. Make sure your containers have drainage holes. ...
4. Plant seeds at the proper depth. ...
5. After sowing, set the containers in a warm location. ...
6. Keep seed-starting mix moist. ...
7. As soon as seedlings emerge, place pots in a bright location.

Does cardboard under mulch attract termites?

Yes, termites love to nibble on cardboard boxes as well as eat way other material inside the box. Termites look of cellulose and cardboard boxes provide ample amount of cellulose for them to eat. Termites love cellulose, this is where they get their nourishment.

Can you lay cardboard over weeds?

Just put the cardboard down over the spots of your garden where the weeds are known to live, cover it over with a thick layer of mulch, and leave it alone. The cardboard will keep the weeds from growing up through the dirt and insulate the ground to a temperature that kills the weed seeds.