I’d like to turn part of my yard into a Japanese garden. Can I use old carpeting or rugs as underlayment beneath my pea gravel? -Ken
Can I Use Carpet in My Garden?
Old carpet and area rugs are popular for DIY underlayment when building ponds and water features. So, it makes sense that it could also be used as a weed barrier and padding underneath pea gravel. However, I’m a little prejudiced on this one.
I believe in organic gardening. I’ve also fixed up several yards that were landscaped with buried carpet, plastic sheeting, and many other unknown pieces of debris. Years later, pieces of slimy material kept coming to the surface. They are usually hit by a lawn mower or pulled with thick gloves. It’s been the source of some of my most creative, grossed-out grumbling.
Nonetheless, keep reading to find out what you need to know about recycling old carpet in your yard.
Pros
Old carpet is cheap, and you can even find roadside freebies. It’s thick, strong, and easy to handle, though is certainly heavy in large amounts. Carpet also works well as a weed killer by suppressing their growth through your gravel. They also allow water to drain through, leaving the plants above with proper drainage.
Recycling is a good thing to do. Synthetic carpet can take thousands of years to fully decompose in a landfill, so recycling carpets is somewhat necessary.
Cons
Homeowners don’t normally recycle new carpet. If you’ve ever pulled old carpet out of a house, you know that it’s a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. After a couple of years of rain and soil, carpet can be slimy and gross.
Some carpets can leak chemicals into your soil. Synthetic carpet is made of oil products that have been treated with chemicals and cleaners. This makes the carpet drip chemicals into your soil over time.
And, even though synthetic carpet decomposes incredibly slowly, it will fall apart (especially if the binding is organic) over time and will be hard to remove. If weeds grow on top of your carpet, their roots will twine through the fibers, making them nearly impossible to pull.
Choose natural fibers.
Earth-Friendly Recycling
If you want to use underlayment, you can use carpet or blankets that are made of 100% natural fibers like wool, cotton, or jute. Alternatives to natural fiber carpet can be pieces of cardboard, and thick layers of newspapers.
You may need to replace these in a few years, but your soil will be much less contaminated. Nearly all types of carpet can be recycled, and depending on the fiber, they can be broken down to make new products.
Procedures for recycling carpet vary based on where you live, and you may not have access to a recycling facility. Your local carpet dealer is a good place to start to find local solutions for carpet disposal.
Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) is a nonprofit organization working to develop infrastructure across the nation for recycling centers, abd recycling programs for carpets and rugs.
Bottom Line
If you’ve made your gravel bed right, with a smooth base and thick layers of gravel, you don’t need any underlayment. If you want to upcycle your carpet or area rug, consider carpet installation in your dog-house or making a scratching post for your cat.
If you still want to put carpet in your yard, make sure to use a natural fiber carpet to avoid chemicals leaking into your soil.
FAQs About Carpet Recycling in Your Garden
Is there some way to reuse a worn carpet in my garden?
Homeowners can recycle carpet in your garden in many effective ways. You can use carpet to stop weeds, make garden paths, help compost (by shredding natural carpet fiber), control erosion, or make raised beds.
What types of carpet scraps are good for the garden?
It’s important to consider what textiles you are putting in your garden beds. The best options are natural fiber carpets, like wool, cotton, jute, and sisal. These fibers are biodegradable and are safe to use even on soil.
Other non-biodegradable options include untreated synthetic carpets, like those made of nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. I recommend using these for non-soil-contact ideas, like creating a pathway.
Avoid using carpets treated with moth-proofing or stain-resistant chemicals. You should also avoid using carpets with foam backing or foam carpet padding.
Can I recycle small pieces of carpet for my vegetable garden?
You can recycle small pieces of carpet, or area rugs, in your vegetable garden. You can use these pieces, or area rugs, to keep weeds from growing. Lay the carpet down where you want to prevent the weeds from coming through. Remember that the carpet will smother anything under it, however, so I recommend laying the pieces on top of mulch or rock instead.
