# Can Cardboard be Use as Liner for a Raised Garden Bed

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/follower-question-can-cardboard-be-use-as-liner-for-a-raised-garden-bed/
- Published: 2026-10-23T22:53:56-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

You may be wondering, “Can Cardboard be used as a Raised Garden Bed liner?” Well,
it can be! There are many options for you to choose from: corrugated cardboard, 
hardware cloth, and landscape fabric. It all depends on your preferences and budget.
If you’re going to use cardboard, here are some tips. You can use it as a raised
bed liner and save money!

## Landscape fabric

Before you put landscape fabric on your vegetable garden, you should determine the
size of the bed. If your garden is a square, you should make sure the fabric is 
large enough to cover the entire bed. You should allow a few inches of fabric overhang
for weed growth. A landscape bed usually has a border around the perimeter. This
border should be about six to twelve inches wide. You can then staple the fabric
to secure the entire border.

Aside from the aesthetic appeal, raised garden beds have a lot of advantages. The
soil will be better than in the ground, but nearby roots will be more likely to 
find their way in and compete with your garden plants. If this happens, landscape
fabric will help prevent this from happening, but it won’t last forever. Besides,
the depth of the soil in a raised bed should be shallow enough to prevent weed seeds
from germinating.

Another advantage of landscape fabric for raised garden beds is the fact that it
won’t let unwanted debris and inorganic mulches sink into the soil. Mulches made
from recycled rubber or wood chips are very difficult to remove and can cause soil
to become deficient in nutrients. Landscape fabric for raised garden beds is not
recommended for vegetable or annual flower beds, however. It does protect your garden
from moisture loss, but it won’t prevent weeds from sprouting. Weed seeds need sunlight
to germinate. By blocking the rays of the sun, they won’t be able to germinate. 
If you do decide to use landscape fabric, you’ll want to invest in quality landscaping
fabric for your beds.

A raised garden bed can be made of either a plastic or landscape fabric. The plastic
option doesn’t hold the soil and decomposes quickly. The landscape fabric is made
of synthetic fibers and won’t degrade. Burlap is another great alternative to plastic.
The fabric has gaps between the threads, so water can pass through and helps with
drainage in raised garden beds. It’s not always necessary to add a separate layer
of mulch for raised garden beds.

## Newspaper

You may be wondering how to use newspaper as a liner for a raised garden bed. Although
it is not as effective as fabric, it is very affordable and can still offer a lot
of benefits for the garden. First of all, it is a great mulch, as it can help suppress
weeds while still allowing moisture to reach the soil. Additionally, it decomposes
quickly, restoring nutrients to the soil. Second, it can be easily manipulated to
fit around plants.

Another great alternative to newspaper is cardboard. It is inexpensive and easy 
to find. Although cardboard decomposes over time, it is much thicker and will take
a little longer than newspaper. It can be obtained for free at recycling centers,
retail stores, and websites like Craigslist. These materials are also good for raised
garden beds, as they can help protect the soil from weeds.

Hardware cloth is another option. This mesh material is available in 4 by 25 foot
rolls at hardware stores. It works great as a liner for a raised garden bed because
it prevents animals from digging in from underneath. Another alternative to hardware
cloth is canvas or landscape fabric. Both of these materials are great for keeping
pests out and allowing water to drain away. A few pros and cons of using hardware
cloth are:

A newspaper liner can be made from cardboard, but it does not decompose as well 
as cardboard. It is not the ideal choice for a raised garden bed liner because newspapers
are made of cellulose and will break down in a short time. Additionally, newspapers
have a higher compost rate than cardboard, and they can be easily ripped up for 
reuse. They can also be cheaper.

When making raised garden beds, it is important to consider the amount of weeds 
you want to control. To prevent weeds from growing too rapidly, newspaper or cardboard
are ideal. The organic material in newspaper makes soil more fertile and easy to
work with. It is also great for keeping soil moist. If you use newspaper or cardboard,
it is important not to go too deep. The liner should be able to hold the soil in
place.

## Corrugated cardboard

Corrugated cardboard makes a great liner for a raised garden bed. Thick multilayered
cardboard resists decomposition better than thin ones. Avoid glossy or shiny cardboard,
as it releases chemicals when it breaks down. These chemicals will harm your plants
and soil. Instead, choose a standard brown cardboard with little to no printing.
It is best to avoid glossy cardboard because it is less effective in liner applications.

If you have an empty box lying around, you can use it as a liner for your raised
garden bed. Cardboard works well as a liner for the garden bed because it holds 
down the soil. It also makes for a nice look in your garden. Use this method for
all of your raised beds. Make sure that they are elevated and have drain holes. 
Alternatively, you can use corrugated cardboard boxes to create a raised bed liner.

Another advantage of using corrugated cardboard as a liner for a raised garden bed
is its biodegradability. It contributes nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. 
In addition, cardboard contains carbon, which is a vital building block for life.
As it decomposes, it will also add energy to soil microbes. By using a mix of both
materials, you will increase the nutrients and structure of your soil.

For a unique raised garden bed, you can use rocks. While rocks are a unique and 
unusual option, they will not decompose in a lifetime. This makes them a long-term
barrier. However, rocks are not without their drawbacks. If you use them as a raised
garden bed liner, make sure to get them in bulk. It is also a great way to start
a raised garden bed.

If you plan on using hardware cloth as a liner, you should purchase the proper material.
The hardware cloth is made from a metal mesh, which prevents weeds and pests from
digging in from below. You can also use fabric or landscape fabric to cover your
raised bed. The fabric will protect the soil from weeds and pests, and it will drain
easily.

## Hardware cloth

In raised garden beds, hardware mesh is an ideal material for lining the bottom 
and sides. It will prevent burrowing creatures from accessing the soil beneath. 
Whether you have a rigid border or no border at all, hardware cloth should be installed
at least six inches above the soil level. Hardware cloth should overlap at least
six inches to ensure complete coverage. When using hardware mesh, be sure to use
stainless steel hardware mesh, which will resist rusting and pest infestations.

To install a hardware cloth frame for your raised garden bed, cut four 8-foot boards
in half and overlap them by 4 inches in the center. Once you have completed the 
two pieces of hardware cloth, attach hinges to the corner posts and sew them together
with a thin, flexible wire. If you do not have a framing square, you can use fence
wire to secure the connections at corners. Once the frame has been assembled, lay
hardware cloth over it.

Hardware cloth is an effective barrier against burrowing animals, which can cause
damage to your garden. It also allows earthworms to penetrate the bed, which help
aerate and enrich the soil. It can be stapled to the frame of your raised garden
bed and will remain in place year after year. Stainless steel mesh is also durable
and will prevent rodents from damaging your new garden bed. Whether you are growing
tomatoes, cucumbers, or other veggies, hardware cloth can protect your garden from
pests.

Another reason to use hardware cloth for raised garden beds is to keep out underground
rodents. While these rodents are not beneficial to humans, they are essential to
the ecosystem. Voles churn the soil like worms do, and their excrement fertilizes
the soil. In addition to their ecological function, voles serve a protective role
for your garden plots. Modern Farmer recommends putting owl boxes nearby to keep
vole populations in check.

If you plan to use hardware cloth for your raised garden bed, make sure to purchase
enough to cover the bottom of the bed. The hardware cloth should be three feet wide
to fit your box. When placing the hardware cloth, fold the fabric at 90 degrees 
and tuck it tightly at the bottom. Then, affix a wire between the two pieces, ensuring
no gaps. In addition, you can use extra hardware cloth to cover the sides of your
deep bed.

# Pointers

With that said, here are a few quick pointers:

 * Clearing the bottom of the raised garden bed of as much vegetation as possible.
 * Cover the entire bottom, with no gaps, of the raised bed.
 * Overlap up the sides of the garden bed for 6 inches or more is recommended.
 * Use at least two layers, but three or four would be better.
 * Avoid boxes with plastic or other coatings.

# Benefits

The benefit of this repurposing cardboard boxes like this are:

 * The cardboard boxes will provide a barrier for any vegetation you may have missed
   when you cleared the bottom of the bed.
 * The cardboard will allow water to pass through.
 * The cardboard is biodegradable and will amend the soil.
 * The cardboard is free.
 * Last but not least, the cardboard does not end up in the local landfill.

Putting Cardboard Down In The Raised Garden Beds

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