You probably saw a large roll of those black fabrics at your local garden center or home improvement store, and thought to yourself, what is it? Well, it’s not a new type of flat pavement or puncture/goth lawn alternative. It is a landscape fabric and is mainly used to prevent weeds. But like most things, there are pros and cons to using it.
Simply mention the term “landscape fabric” to gardeners, designers and contractors and get a mixed bag of opinions, from a clear thumb to a furious frown or a thumbs up. Personally, I know this material is useful, but I find myself leaning towards the anti-landscape fabric side.
Continue reading to learn the good and bad things about landscape fabrics:
What is Landscape Fabric? Why do people use it?
Landscape fabrics are a type of material made from a variety of synthetic or recycled materials. The main purpose of adding this to your garden bed is to prevent weeds. Some believe that the biggest bonus of using landscape fabric is that it can reduce the use of toxic weed killers. Most applications include laying in garden paths, under gravel/stone patios, or in garden beds. When down, it must be secured with metal landscape pins. After that, all the fabric options have an attractive and unnatural look, so most people will cover it all with mulch or stone. In general, high quality products do their job and prevent weeds to some extent, but they have their drawbacks.
What are the disadvantages of landscape fabrics?
Most are not recycled or biodegradable and can contain harmful chemicals such as petroleum. This can be harmful to the soil and plants, let alone somewhat surprising, if you are planting an edible garden and using this material around the plants. Pro Tip: If you need to use it, try sourcing chemical-free fabrics. The soil under the dough will dry, harden and ultimately become unhealthy. Soil requires a direct relationship between air circulation and the sun, water, earthworms and airflow, all of this material is blocked and blocked. Furthermore, essential nutrients are difficult to reach the soil. I am a big advocate of side dressing some plants with compost in spring, and landscape fabric makes this virtually impossible. It is difficult to change your mind about your planting. I need to be honest: I move a lot of plants, so if you’re like me and tend to “relocate” your garden, then think carefully before installing this fabric as it will be a complete nightmare. Not only does the fabric cover the irrigation, it is not only unable to see where the main line is, it also needs to get into the sturdy fabric to drill new holes. Using landscape fabrics prevents reseeding. Certainly, this may sound good if you have grass seeds or unnecessary dandelion issues, but if you like it, when California poppies spread out or your favorite love love or calendula have a cheerful mind in a random place, you’re out of luck. Landscape fabrics are not cheap. The material and the labor to unfold it, and the hole is cut off with a sharp knife or scissors and let it soak. Eventually it will wear out, fray, go through soil/mulch, and become unseemly. Weeds can sneak up on the fabric and penetrate the area. So, landscape fabric certainly holds weeds down for the first few years, but it is by no means a permanent solution for Ray It Down and Forget.
Is there an alternative to landscape fabric?
I’m glad you asked! If you’re really environmentally friendly, but still want to prevent weeds, consider using good old flattened cardboard. Cardboard is perfect for placing on your path and patio before applying a thick layer of mulch or gravel. Of course, this paper material will break down over time, but please look at it in a way that is supposed to soil. (You can also use newspapers, but this will break down faster than cardboard.) Finally, there is no problem with working hard manuals. Precautions are a planet-friendly way to apply thick layers of mulch or gravel.
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NB: This post was first published in May 2023. Updated with new prices and links.
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