Weeds are the gardener's arch enemy, so we'll do everything we can to keep them at bay. Fortunately, there is a simple solution that is simple, easy to install, and long-term. The best landscape fabric saves you!
This material provides a physical barrier between the ground and the sun. It cuts weeds from sunlight and literally holds them back if they manage to germinate. This allows your plants to grow freely without competition and you can concentrate on more important things.
Landscape structure can be an investment, so you definitely need to research first. This is where we come in! In this article, we recommend our preferred landscape fabrics for any use. We'll also explain the many ways to use and install Landscape Fabric.
Best landscape fabric reviews
1. ECOgardener Professional Grade Landscape Fabric
ECOgardener focuses on developing products that help the environment while keeping weeds away. This environmentally friendly landscape fabric does not release chemicals into the soil and replaces pesticides. The roll of fabric weighs about 5 pounds, so it is light enough to carry but heavy enough to protect the garden. Cut edges are not frayed as long as they are completely covered with mulch.
The fabric is a two-layer combination of woven and non-woven material. It is also punched with a needle to ensure optimal ventilation and water flow. It consists of 100% polypropylene and is therefore not biodegradable. The fabric works well in cold and heat, is easy to cut and durable.
Unfortunately, some gardeners have reported that the weeds sprout despite the tissue. If the fabric is not covered immediately after being put down, it can easily be damaged by the sun. Apart from its weak points, this is a popular, highly rated landscape material.
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2. GardenMate weed control fabric
Heavy Duty is the name of the game with this weed barrier. The fabric is thick, tough and tearproof. In fact, several customers have recommended using it in trenches as it holds well under rocks. The fabric is woven and provided with UV protection so that it can lie in the sun without damage.
As with most landscape fabrics, the edges are slightly frayed when cut. Most gardeners praise drainage, but some report that the water is slowly permeating. With its reasonable price, we recommend this fabric as a high quality, yet affordable solution.
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3. Happybuy Landscape Fabric
This landscape fabric is by far one of the most durable. It is thick, tearproof and robust. Gardeners have used it for busy sidewalks and river beds without any complaints. The fabric is made of polypropylene, which is chemically safe and does not break down quickly.
Due to its excellent drainage, this substance prevents root rot when it is used as a culture bag. The company sells it in a variety of large quantities, which is great for large projects. The disadvantage of this weed barrier is that it can come loose when cutting and is a little expensive. For the quality you get, this fabric is worth it.
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4. Mutual WF200 geotextile fabric
This is the product you need for the hardest and hardest jobs. The landscape fabric WF200 by Mutual is so strong that it can withstand the weight of heavy machinery without tearing. It can be used for driveways, retaining walls and a base for heavy stones. This is a stabilizing fabric that serves as a barrier between the floor and a top layer like gravel. It is not specifically designed to control weeds, but it can do so.
When you order this product, you are likely to receive a large pack. Depending on the size you receive, it can be around 50 pounds. The fabric itself is made of woven polyethylene, which frays when cut, but only minimally.
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5. AGTEK Garden Weed Barrier
Don't you hate it when you have a small project to do and tons of food left? In this case you want to take a look at this landscape structure. Agtek sells it in a variety of small sizes at an affordable price, just for your space-conscious landscaping.
This fabric is very durable and tear-resistant. It holds very well in the sun and is ideal for walkways and playgrounds. It also has excellent drainage and weed prevention. The only downside we found with this fabric is that it is easily frayed and can be fixed with a flashlight.
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6. HOOPLE Premium Pro landscape fabric
If you are looking for a landscape fabric that is suitable for every job, this is the right one for you. The HOOPLE weed barrier is 2-3 times thicker than normal tissue and can better absorb heavy loads, including sidewalks. In fact, the company guarantees a useful life of at least 5 years without damage.
The fabric itself is not woven and is very permeable to water. With a lot of water, it runs a little slowly, but does not collect puddles. It is UV-stabilized and is even advertised for use without mulch. With a reasonable price, this is a quality fabric for your landscaping.
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7. Becko Garden Weed Barrier
The selling point for this product is that it contains no toxic chemicals and is hydrophilic. The fabric is not woven and perforated so that it does not dissolve when cut. It's easy to cut, install, clean, and reuse. It can serve even more creative purposes, e.g. B. the production of a toilet bag.
This landscape fabric is UV-resistant, but may be damaged if it is permanently in the sun. It is light, but still offers powerful functions. And the best thing is that gardeners rave about the excellent weed control.
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8. DeWitt Sunbelt Woven ground cover
This fabric is more expensive, but the roll is 300 feet long! That way, you don't have to buy multiples for large projects, and you will likely have something left over. The landscape fabric from Sunbelt consists of woven plastic that is "UV-stabilized". It is tearproof, thick and has a five-year guarantee.
A common complaint with this fabric is that it can fray. Fortunately, this can be easily remedied by melting the ends with a flashlight or a lighter. The material runs off well, but can collect water on uneven surfaces.
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9. SCOTTS Pro Landscaping Fabric
For some projects, like lining a pot or preventing erosion, you don't need a heavy fabric. This is where SCOTTS Landscape Fabric comes in. This medium-weight weed barrier is thin for such projects, yet robust enough to last. It has excellent water drainage and keeps well in the sun.
Unfortunately, this substance lets the weed through rather than heavy barriers because it is light. It is also not ideal for hard work such as sidewalks or sharp stones. This nonwoven is therefore ideal for your specific tasks, but is not a complete solution.
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10. FLARMOR Landscape Fabric
This landscape fabric does the work with no frills. It lets water and air through, blocks weeds and controls erosion. It's also a good price for the amount of fabric you get. The fabric consists of three layers of polypropylene needle fleece. It is flexible and easy to cut.
We recommend this for simple jobs where you need a lot of material for little money. It cannot handle heavy projects or very stubborn weeds. Mulch is a must because it has no UV protection. This product is advertised as a high-performance product, but gardeners have reported that it feels thinner than other landscape fabrics.
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Should I use landscape fabric?
Landscaping material is often used under paving stones or bricks for paths. Source: Sam Huckins
Many gardeners use cardboard, plastic or newspaper for the barrier itself. These inexpensive options can damage the soil by blocking airflow, water, and nutrients. If you really care about your plants and want to keep your landscape beautiful, weed locks are a much better option.
Weed barrier fabric is unique in that it allows water, air and nutrients to pass through. They are usually woven like typical textiles, but can also be made with perforated holes. Robust weed control fabric also lasts much longer than cardboard or newspaper. The best weed barriers can stay intact for 12 years or more.
Unfortunately, landscaping is not a panacea. It only works at its best in certain types of landscaping. Here are some good uses:
- As a membrane for weeds until the plants are big enough to take care of themselves.
- Prevent animals from digging in the ground like dogs.
- Providing a solid foundation under paving stones, river stones, etc.
- Reduces the need for frequent maintenance in permanent landscapes.
- For growing bags for small trees or other heavy plants.
This material should not be used for annuals or vegetable gardens because the plants often need to be removed and replaced. This is a long-term solution for areas where things stop, such as B. trees and shrubs. This is also the wrong choice if you want your plants to be sown again as the seeds will not get into the soil.
benefits
Weed tissue reduces the spread of weeds and helps keep soil moisture constant. Source: Yersinia
Weed barrier fabric would not be an option if it had no benefits. Here are some reasons why many gardeners love it:
- easy installation – The initial process is simple and only needs to be repeated if the substance needs to be replaced.
- Practical sizes for the garden – Garden shops know what we want. Barrier fabric is available in helpful dimensions and can be easily resized if necessary.
- Prevents weeds from germinating and developing – We wouldn't use it if it weren't!
- Restricts the use of herbicides – Save time and resources and keep your plants healthy at the same time.
- Keeps the soil moist – Weed barrier fabric limits evaporation and keeps the water in the soil.
- Prevents erosion – The material protects the floor from wind and water runoff. This is particularly useful if you are using pavers on a hill and do not want them to be washed away.
- Long-term weed control – Many fabrics last more than 10 years.
- Helps regulate the temperature – The barrier captures warmth in winter and keeps the ground cool in summer.
disadvantage
Some gardeners argue that using this material requires more maintenance because of its disadvantages. Ultimately, whether you choose fabric or not depends on your garden plans and your personal taste. Here are the disadvantages you need to consider:
- Reduces earthworm populations – Even though they live underground, worms have to reach the surface to survive.
- Compactes the soil – Over time, limited ventilation and lack of worms can dent the floor.
- Interrupts the nutrient cycle – Garden membrane prevents organic substances from being integrated into the soil. Over time, the soil's nutrients are drained from plants without being replaced.
- Weeds are persistent – Weeds can still occur, especially if you use an organic mulch where they can take root. Herbicides that occur before emergence can slow down this problem.
- Difficult to change later – What you plant must stand still. If you want to move things, the weed barrier fabric is not for you.
- Must be covered with mulch – Otherwise the fabric can be damaged by the sun. It also looks pretty ugly in and of itself.
- May contain chemicals – Some substances can release chemicals that should be avoided in edible plants. Do your research in advance to make sure your fabric is a good choice.
- Can destroy lightbulbs – Bulbs are often pushed around by roots in the subsoil. If they move away from their fabric opening, they can no longer sprout.
How to install Weed Control Fabric
Weed barrier fabric can be used under flat raised beds to prevent weeds from spreading. Source: Wally Hartshorn
Choose the right fabric
In general, thickness and weight are good quality indicators. The thicker and heavier, the more durable the product is. Very light, wafer-thin fabrics can easily tear and disintegrate. Thick and heavy fabrics can be used for years and are a must for use under rocks. However, light fabrics have their place in gardens that only need a temporary cover.
Most landscape fabrics are 3 to 6 feet wide and 10 to 400 feet long. The amount you buy should depend on how much you will be using. If you have leftovers, most of the fabrics come in rolls that are easy to store.
Place
Laying landscape fabrics is easy. Before you start, you need the following:
- Landscape fabric of your choice
- Landscape fabric needles (at least one per square foot of fabric)
- A hammer or a mallet
- mulch
- Sharp scissors
- A sharp utility knife
- A flashlight or a lighter (optional)
The process
First, prepare the floor. Remove weeds and dirt. Add fertilizer and change the pH if necessary. If you're not sure if you need to make any changes, have the floor examined so you know what is required. Local agricultural universities usually offer soil tests. You can also do it yourself with a home soil tester.
Make the ground flat and smooth with a garden rake that smoothes out steep hills. For paths, you should lower the surface of the ground a few centimeters below the surroundings so that there is space for the material of the path.
Place the fabric face down in position. Leave approx. 5 cm of additional material around the edges to put it under the border or to lay it in the ground. If you overlap parts, overlap them by at least 6 inches.
Use a sharp utility knife to cut circles into which the plants should get. Make them big enough so you can easily plant them and leave room to grow. Anchor around the hole with pins if necessary. If the fabric frays around the edges, you can seal it with a flashlight or a lighter.
Plant your plants. When planting, be careful not to disturb the material. Enlarge the holes if necessary, but try not to move them too much.
Place a landscaping pin every 8-12 "around the outside and every 12-18" in the middle. If it overlaps, put it on the overlap with each foot. This anchors your material in place.
Cover the entire fabric with 2-3 inches of your choice of mulch. Mulch lets water through, keeps the soil moist, holds the fabric in place and protects it from the sun's rays. Mulch is also much prettier and looks natural!
maintenance
Pull weed seedlings that sprout from the mulch. If they are grown, their roots can damage the material.
If you used organic mulch like wood chips, you have to refill it as soon as the original material is broken. Remove the older, finer mulch and place it on your compost heap. Replace it with fresh, chunkier wood shavings. This prevents a floor-like layer from developing.
The green thumbs behind this article:
Rachel Garcia
Juicy fanatic
Lorin Nielsen
Lifetime gardener
Last updated on 2020-02-12 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
