Control the growth of roots in the garden with a root barrier

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A root barrier is ideal to avoid the formation of roots between the lawn and the beds. This not only prevents lawns from growing into the beds, but also the appearance of new shoots of bedding plants in the beds Turf prevented - for example by bamboo, reeds or the offshoots of typical bush berries such as blackberries or Raspberries.

A root barrier prevents uncontrolled root growth.
A root barrier prevents uncontrolled root growth.

What you need:

  • Root barrier made of stone or plastic in the required length and width
  • spade

Material selection for a root barrier

  • There are root barriers made of individual decorative stone or plastic pieces that are inserted into the ground next to one another. Disadvantage: roots can quickly find their way again at the small gap between two pieces.
  • Root barriers, which are offered as a roll, are made of sturdy plastic or spunbond. They are usually 5 meters long and available in various widths. These end-to-end root barriers are ideal because they can easily be bent in any direction. They are also an advantage on a straight stretch because there are no gaps in the barrier. They can also be cut to the correct length.
  • The width of the root barrier should be carefully considered. For bamboo 65 to 70 centimeters is recommended. Against lawn ingrowth or shoots of Raspberries 25 to 30 centimeters are sufficient.

Material requirement of a root barrier

  • For solitary bushes you should plan a circle with a diameter of 1.20, for hedges a distance of 60 centimeters between the root barrier and the trunk. For small bedding plants, distances of between 20 to 30 centimeters are sufficient race there.
  • Measure exactly what length you need in total, because a sense of proportion can quickly be deceiving. Root locks made up of individual elements have a fixed length that you cannot change. For the flexible barriers you should plan an overlap of 30 centimeters at the transitions from one roll to the next and for round bed borders.
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Bury and fix the root barrier

  • There is no need to dig trenches for short plastic or assembly line root barriers. It is sufficient if you push the spade as deeply as possible into the ground and then wiggle it back and forth. Break the ground next to the next.
  • If you want to put pieces of stone or plastic together or create a deep root barrier, there is no way around a ditch. The required width and depth cannot be achieved with a groundbreaking ceremony and the soil would collapse over the gap.
  • Place the selected root barrier in the trench or crevice. Make sure that a top edge of about 2 to 3 centimeters protrudes from the ground. Over time, your lawn will continue to grow taller, and fertilizing or applying bark mulch will also raise the level of your beds.
  • Check again the course of the root barrier and its position in the soil and fill the trench again.
  • Press the soil firmly against the root barrier.
  • To achieve good fortification, you should water the soil around your new root barrier. The water compacts the soil and you can fill in more soil for a stable stand.

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