The original version of this project suggested reusing indoor carpet as garden mulch. We no longer recommend that activity.
Old carpet was not made to improve soil. Its fibres, backing, dyes, treatments, and past spills may be unknown; it is awkward to clean and store; and it eventually breaks into waste that must be removed. Cutting it also requires a sharp utility knife.
Choose a mulch made for gardens instead:
- Shredded leaves, clean straw, and untreated grass clippings can work between vegetable rows.
- Wood chips or shredded bark work well around trees, shrubs, and perennial beds.
- Compost can cover bare soil while adding organic matter.
Mulch slows evaporation, buffers soil temperature, and blocks some weed seedlings. Keep it away from plant stems and tree trunks, and do not pile it so deeply that water and air have trouble reaching the soil.
Reusing materials is a terrific instinct. In this case, sending unwanted carpet to the disposal or recycling option recommended by your municipality is the more dependable garden choice.