Weeds can be a major challenge here in North Texas where they tend to thrive year-round. You might feel as though you’re doing all the right things to get rid of weeds and yet they keep coming back. When dealing with weeds, you have to be aggressive and take a multi-faceted approach.
One of those strategies includes using weed barrier fabric.
Weed barrier landscape fabric works to discourage weeds by blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds in the first place.
As with most things, there are pros and cons of landscape fabric and you’ll even find that while some landscapers use it, others don’t bother.
Grassperson’s take on weed barrier fabric is that it can be part of an effective weed control strategy if it is installed properly. But that’s a huge “if.” If the fabric is not installed correctly, it can be more of a hassle than a help.
In this article, we’ll dive into more of the pros and cons of landscape fabric and how it fits into our approach to addressing weeds.
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Landscape Fabric Pros and Cons
There are a few different pros and cons of landscape fabric that are important in terms of having realistic expectations of what it can and can’t do.
What are the Pros of Landscape Fabric?
Let’s look at some of the upsides to using a weed-control fabric.
- One of the big pros of using a weed barrier fabric is that it is cost-effective. When installed properly, it can be an effective, long-term solution that does not have to be regularly re-installed. While it may eventually require replacing, it’s not something that has to be done often.
- A good weed barrier fabric can also help conserve moisture in the soil as it will reduce evaporation. The blocked sunlight not only prevents weed seeds from growing (as they require sunlight in order to germinate), but it also prevents the sun from evaporating all of the water needed for your plants to thrive.
- In terms of comparing fabric to other weed barrier materials like plastic, we also love that fabric allows water to amply reach the plant roots of your desired plant material. Plastics will not do this and are also not an environmentally friendly material.
What are the Negatives of Landscape Fabric?
As we’ve said from the start, weed barrier fabric should be PART of a weed control strategy. If you expect weed fabric to be enough of a solution by itself, you’re going to be disappointed.
- Weed barrier fabric can also have some downsides like restricting some of the movement of soil-mixing organisms, like earthworms. When these creatures move through the different layers of soil, they mix organic material in the process.
- Weed barrier fabrics also become less effective over time. They aren’t a “forever solution.” However, if you’re on the search for that “magic bullet” solution, you’re not going to find it.
- Finally, weed barrier fabric is also not a 100-percent fail-proof solution…but what is? That’s exactly why we recommend it as one part of a multi-faceted approach.
A Thorough Approach to Weed Control
We have always been clear that the best weed control is a multi-faceted, year-round approach. Managing weeds in North Texas takes commitment, persistence, and a good amount of time and energy.
That’s why partnering with a pro makes sense.
As we’ve mentioned, we do believe in using weed barrier fabrics when it makes sense. We believe that there are enough pros to make it a worthwhile effort.
At Grassperson, we use a weed barrier fabric for new landscape bed installations. We believe that when installed correctly, and used with other strategies, it can help control some weed breakthroughs.
We also use pre-emergent herbicides that work by preventing weed germination in the first place. And we’ll even pull weeds by hand if necessary. Getting the bed in the best possible shape ahead of installing plant material is important as weeds are highly aggressive.
And even with all of this work, you’re still going to see weeds breakthrough. They’re that persistent! During the spring and summer months, your plant beds will require even more attention since weeds grow faster and with more vigor during this time.
It doesn’t take long for a plant bed to become full of weeds.
An effective weed control strategy also needs to include target-treating weeds that do pop up. Pre-emergent herbicides work to prevent germination from happening.
However, post-emergent weed controls work on weeds that do not reproduce via seed or those that have already sprouted.
The best weed control approach will typically include both types of herbicides, depending on bed configuration and what you have growing there. A landscape professional can help you devise a customized weed control strategy for your property’s needs.
Choosing Landscaping Services Near Flower Mound, TX to Address Weed Control
If you’ve spent time on our blog before, you know that we take weed control seriously. After all, weeds here in North Texas are a legitimate foe. We happen to have some types of weeds that are really hard to get rid of (and that just keep coming back).
That’s why persistence is key. There is never going to be a singular strategy that gets rid of weeds forever. It has to be a comprehensive and ongoing effort.
It’s also helpful when you work with an expert who will have the eye to recognize weed varieties and know how to best deal with them. A key to weed control success is being able to identify and properly treat whatever it is that you’re dealing with.
Ask a group of landscapers or gardeners how they feel about using landscape fabric, and you’ll likely hear a few strong opinions. Is it really worth all the hype, or does it sink under the weight of its weed-free gardening expectations? We’ll discuss the pros and cons of landscape fabric to help you decide what works best for your landscape.
What is Landscape Fabric?
Landscape fabric goes by many names:
- Plastic mulch
- Poly mulch
- Synthetic mulch
- Weed barrier fabric
- Weed block fabric
- Weed control fabric
- Woven ground cover
- Woven weed barrier
No matter what you call it, landscape fabric is often promoted as the solution to the bane of every gardener’s existence — weeds. Not only does it supposedly block unwanted weed growth, but best of all, you don’t have to worry about weeding for what seems like years.
Unfortunately, and like with many advertised products, this isn’t exactly true.
Landscaping fabric definitely has its pros and cons when it comes to its use.
Types of Landscape Fabric
Landscape fabric usually comes in one of three materials:
- Polyester
- Polyethylene, aka plastic, clear or black. Note: Clear plastic won’t control weeds.
- Polypropylenes (spun or woven fabric)
Woven fabrics, spun or bonded fabrics, and solid sheets of plastic are all common. Want to save time? Some have holes pre-made for planting. The permeability of each will vary depending on the thickness and method of construction, so check the label before you buy.
If you’d like to read more in-depth on this topic, check out our article on Landscape Fabric Types and How to Use Them
Pros of Landscape Fabric
Some of the benefits of using landscaping fabric include:
✓ Keeps inorganic mulches like rocks from sinking into the soil. Landscape fabric helps to stabilize the soil, in other words.
✓ Prevents weed seeds covered by fabric from sprouting.
✓ Reduces the need for herbicides.
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✓ Works well on slopes where erosion control is a problem. (This is another application for its soil stabilizing properties.)
✓ Helps the soil retain moisture and slows evaporation.
✓ You can choose from many different materials and thicknesses, which makes it customizable for different projects. Also, the variety of choices means you can control your costs, buying the right type of material for each project or area of your lawn.
✓ Warms the soil in winter. Clear plastic increases soil temps by up to 9 degrees Fahrenheit, black plastic by about 5 degrees, and polypropylenes by about 2 degrees.
✓ A popular product that can be found at most any garden center, superstore, or online retailer.
If landscape fabric is the right choice for your garden or other yard project, you’re ready to learn How to Install Landscape Fabric (in Nine Easy Steps).
Cons of Landscape Fabric
Some of the cons of using landscaping fabric include:
✗ Over time, decomposing particles of mulch and soil clog the perforations in the cloth. As the fabric becomes clogged, adequate amounts of water and air are unable to to reach the plant roots, leading to the plant’s decline.
✗ Earthworms, which aerate the soil, don’t develop, leading to compacted and unhealthy soil.
✗ The fabric acts as a barrier to organic materials biodegrading in the soil, which leads to an unhealthier soil structure.
✗ Weeds can still grow in the mulch on top of the fabric.
✗ Landscape fabric is time-consuming to install, especially around existing plantings.
✗ Depending on the size of the area and the thickness of the material, it can be an expensive project. Organic mulches, such as grass clippings and mulched leaves are free and contribute to soil health as they break down.
Alternatives to Landscape Fabric
If these downsides to landscape fabric have you rethinking your options, there are landscape fabric alternatives to consider:
- Cardboard (a great option for sheet mulching to remove part of your lawn)
- Ground cover plants
- Ground cover plants that flower
- Ground cover plants that work well in the shade
- Newspaper
- Organic mulch, such as wood chips, straw, burlap, pine needles, grass clippings, shredded leaves, and compost. Organic mulches decompose, adding valuable nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
In general, organic mulches are more cost effective (or free) and already available in one’s own lawn.
Is Landscape Fabric the Right Choice for Your Project?
If used properly and in the best situations, landscaping fabric does have its benefits, but it also has its drawbacks.
The good: Landscape fabric works for a time in reducing weeds in an area. It generally works as a weed barrier for a year or less before its usefulness starts declining.
The bad: The unwanted growth eventually rears its ugly head despite the weed barrier. Over time, you also end up with soil that isn’t as healthy, which can affect your plants and their health.
In fact, according to the University of Florida, the long-term use of landscape fabric can negatively affect soil and plant health and is best used where ornamental plants aren’t growing like pathways or around mailboxes.
The bottom line: Landscape fabric is an effective, short-term weed control solution but has deleterious long-term effects on soil health.
FAQ About Landscape Fabric
When to Call a Landscaping Professional
If you are unsure about landscape fabric or just a little antsy about the size and work involved in your garden or yard project, call a landscaping service near you. The pros will be able to answer your questions, help plan your project, and take all the work off your hands.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Weed Control Fabric. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.