cardboard covering

i recently took some cardboard and laid it over some freshly dug soil to keep the cats from doing their business on it, and to stop weeds from going out of control, how long should i keep it there? i havent been able to do much for the last 3 days because its been raining in sunny somerset
many thanks

 

have not heard of putting cardboard on freshly dug soil, if its been raining its going to be very soggy to remove.
the best place for the cardboard is on the compost heap.
it would be better to use black plastic, it would be easier to remove, and you could wash off any foreign bodies etc....and the plastic would deter weed growth, and warm up the soil for planting..

 

this might be of some use - I've tried it, and can't be 100% certain of its effectiveness - but it's worth a look http://www.scottsofstow.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?language=en-GB&product=11044

 

lol maybe deer? thats good cos i live in taunton, but ill have a think about that, thanks

 

I used to have a similar problem and I still use 2" netting rolled over freshly planted patches, I leave them there until the new seedlings are well up and then roll it/them up for next year or re-use for a later sewing. It also stops large birds digging around.