Heavy Duty Landscape Fabric

How to Install Weed Control Fabric

Installing weed control fabric is a pretty straightforward process provided that your surface is flat and that you have adequately prepared the ground. Here are the steps to install it:

• Use a garden hoe to get rid of all vegetation, grass, and weeds. Dig deep to get rid of all the roots.
• Use a rake to level and clear the soil. Ensure you get rid of all sharp objects, stones, twigs, and uprooted weeds.
• Spread out your weed control or landscaping fabric and cut it using a sharp knife. Don’t forget to ensure you get the correct dimensions.
• Position your fabric well, and then secure it by stapling it every 10 feet along the seams and edges.
• You could plant through the fabric and add mulch too, but this is optional.

What Is Landscape Fabric?

Essentially, landscape fabric is a physical barrier preventing weed from taking root in your garden. Sometimes called weed fabric, the material is breathable so nutrients, air, and water will still flow to the soil to feed your plants. It is also resistant to tearing and sun damage, and it is more long lasting compared to other weed barriers. It would help to get a thicker fabric when purchasing a landscape fabric.

When Should You Install Weed Fabric?

If you would like to prevent weeds from growing in your garden, installing a weed fabric is a good idea. You have to be careful about when to install a weed fabric because sometimes it may cause harm to healthy vegetation.

You should install weed fabric in sections with inorganic material, gravel, and crushed stone. You could also use it as a top layer in an area where you would want to prevent weed growth. It would be best not to use landscape fabric in vegetable gardens, trees, or mulch beds.

What Type of Landscape Fabric Is Best?

There are several landscape fabrics you can select from, and the best fabric is relative. Factors that you should consider before buying a landscape fabric include the lifespans, prices, roll sizes you need for your project, UV resistances, durability, thicknesses, perforations, and woven or nonwoven patterns. A thicker fabric is ideal for heavy-duty ground cover.

Avoid These Common Mistakes with Landscape Fabric

It is worth noting that while a landscape fabric is the best solution for protecting weeds from growing in your garden, it is not entirely weed resistant. Listed below are a couple of landscape fabric mistakes:

• Cutting a fabric that is too short. It is better to have a bigger fabric than to have one that does not fully cover your garden bed
• Fabric overlapping by at least 4 inches (6 inches of overlap would be better)
• Not staking or pinning the fabric in place
• Putting down too much mulch