Kevin's Farm-Distillery

Aloha from the Big Island of Hawaii. So, I just joined and know very little about bananas and am starting to experiment and reaching out to the experts here for knowledge.

I just planted 40 Dwarf Apple Bananas and spaced them about 10 feet apart. The field had been roughly cleared about 4-5 years ago and I just mowed it down, creating a decent mulch base. Nevertheless, I expect many of these grasses and weeds to vigorously return. I won't be able to mow again for another 4.5 months as I'll be overseas. Nevertheless, I've got two large trucks of mulch coming that I'll layer the field with.

I'm wondering if anyone has (successfully?) used newspapers or cardboard between rows to help keep any resurgent growth until the bananas reach the right height. I figure they'll let moisture through, but not light and growth. Any ideas or suggestions?

Mahalo! (Thank you!)

Kat2

If you really don't want growth, see if you can find cardboard boxes. Otherwise lay at last 8 sheets down. Yes, newspaper works beautifully at keeping down weeds--old carpet and black plastic not so much. Well, they work fine but leave a mess when they breakdown and they do just not completely.

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Botanical_Bryce

I use fan palm leaves then bury them under mulch ofany sort.

keikikid

Cardboard works wonders! If you have any slope be sure to layer it so that rain water will flow underneath. Think of reverse roof tiles.
If you are in a rainy area, thick layers of newspaper may turn into an impermeable mat. Thin layers can become non-existent in a remarkably short time if you have frequent, heavy rains. Don't ask me how I know.....