Landscaping Fabric

[Royboy]

I'm trying this method this year here in southern Michigan.
I'm wondering if anyone else has tried this method and had any problems with " SLUGS " . They seem to be under the areas that there are no plants ie the rows.Any Suggestions?

Thanx RAW

[Nadine]

Slugs can be deterred with cedar mulch. They also do not like wood ashes or dry crushed pepper.
Landscaping fabric? What kind of fabric is this? How is it used?

[Royboy]

The fabric is the black cloth like stuff that keeps the weeds down.I just cut slits in it and planted my plants they are not growing as well as I had hoped so i think that next year I will go back to the old fashioned way of weeding.

[Nadine]

Your idea for next year is best, as you have evidently discovered. If it were me, I would remove the fabric. You should not have many weeds if you keep the soil covered. Mulch with some native hardwood or have a covercrop of herb(s).
Have you ever looked at companion planting? It is really interesting. The type of plant determines the type of another plant to have near it. Roses love tomatoes, etc.

[Mr. Clean]

RoyBoy

As Organic1 noted, the fabric cloth really needs to go. It is mostly ineffective for weed control. Good heavy mulching with shredded native hardwoods or cedar is not only effective, but aesthically pleasing as well. An added benefit to the mulch is reduced watering requirements and aids in regulating soil temperatures.

Some people use "slug traps", shallow containers filled with beer. I think it is a perfectly poor use of good beer, but you might try it. I like Organic1's approach of the cedar mulch much better :)