Landscaping fabrics
Landscaping fabrics are by no means an answer to a no maintenance landscape. I know a lot of folks are under the impression that they can simply buy it, place it, cover it, and forget it. Forever.
There is no such thing as a no maintenance landscape. In many instances landscape fabric can make your life a lot easier. However, there is an upside and a downside to using it. And as with most everything else, proper installation and maintenance is required if you intend to use it.
Landscape fabrics have their applications. They aren’t necessary in all applications but might be preferred in regards to the type of groundcover you use.
Our company uses landscape fabrics on our landscape design and installations that we design/install. It’s the nature of our business as we use decorative rock as the preferred groundcover for the use of it. When using rock for groundcover and path work, it’s necessary to have a separator between the soil and groundcover. Otherwise, you’ll have mud rocks by the first rain storm.
In theory you should be able to use almost anything as a separator. I’ve seen do it yourselfers use anything from plastics to newspapers and cardboard boxes to old carpet remnants. I do not recommend anything except proper landscape fabrics.
Now personally, on any given project, I would much rather do away with fabrics altogether. I prefer to create living soil planting areas that are mulched and tended rather than being covered and forgotten. However, some areas are simply too large to apply this method annually and some people just outright prefer to cover an area with decorative rock.
Mulch or Stone
Both mulched beds and rock beds underlain with fabric will require some work to keep them beautiful. i do not recommend fabrics under any organic materials. Neither is maintenance free by the way. As long as there is wind, rain dirt, and blown in seed, there will be something for you to do in your yard.
When we create a design using landscaping fabric and rock, I make the client aware of a few things.
1) There will be blown in seed and dirt.
2) Something will have to be done about it to keep it from accumulating. I assure them that with the quality of fabric we use, nothing will grow in from the bottom. However, we have no control of what blows in on the top.
Spraying the unwanted weeds with herbicide will take care of the weed problem. However, this does nothing for the dirt, leaf, and plant particles that are hiding under your rocks. And if you allow these to accumulate, they’ll continue to accumulate and you will never get rid of them. we use a pre-emergence herbicide to help with the weed seeds from germinating. This tends to last about 3 months.
Maintenance
So periodic maintenance is required even if you do use landscaping fabric.
Periodically using a blower on your bedding areas will slow down the accumulation of dirt and in some cases eliminate it altogether. How easy and thorough this is depends a lot on the type and size of rock you use.
Certainly! Here’s a blog post on the subject of whether landscape fabric is necessary.
Now for the question
Is Landscape Fabric Necessary? Unveiling the Pros and Cons
In the world of gardening and landscaping, one often encounters the question: is landscape fabric necessary? As with many aspects of gardening, the answer is not straightforward. Landscape fabric, also known as weed barrier fabric, has its proponents and detractors. This post aims to shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of using landscape fabric, helping you make an informed decision for your garden or landscape project.
What is Landscape Fabric?
Landscape fabric is a permeable material, usually made of woven or non-woven synthetic fibers, designed to suppress weeds while allowing water and air to penetrate the soil beneath. It’s commonly used in garden beds, under mulch or gravel, and around trees and shrubs to prevent weed growth.
The Pros of Using Landscape Fabric
1. Weed Control: The primary advantage of landscape fabric is its effectiveness in suppressing weeds. By creating a physical barrier, it prevents weed seeds from reaching the soil and germinating. This can significantly reduce the need for manual weeding or the use of chemical herbicides.
2. Soil Moisture Retention: Landscape fabric helps to retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation. This can be particularly beneficial during dry periods, reducing the need for frequent watering.
3. Cleanliness and Aesthetics: When used under mulch or gravel, landscape fabric can prevent these materials from sinking into the soil, maintaining a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing appearance over time.
The Cons of Using Landscape Fabric
1. Soil Health Impacts: While landscape fabric allows water and air to penetrate, it can also limit the organic matter reaching the soil from decomposing mulch or plant matter. Over time, this can affect soil fertility and microbial activity, potentially leading to poorer plant health. We do not use landscape fabric under shredded mulch however we do use it under stone ground cover.
2. Durability Issues: Depending on the quality of the fabric and the environment, landscape fabric can degrade, tear, or become clogged with sediment. This not only reduces its effectiveness but also makes it difficult to remove or adjust.
3. Weed Growth on Top: Weeds can still grow on top of the fabric, especially if mulch or soil accumulates over it. These weeds can be harder to remove, as their roots may entangle with the fabric.
Alternatives to Landscape Fabric
For those concerned about the potential downsides of landscape fabric, there are alternatives:
- Mulching: A thick layer of organic mulch can suppress weeds while improving soil health as it decomposes.
- Ground Cover Plants: Low-growing plants can cover the soil, suppress weeds, and enhance the garden’s aesthetics.
- Manual and Chemical Weed Control: Regular weeding by hand or the use of environmentally friendly herbicides can manage weeds without the need for fabric.
Making the Right Choice
Whether landscape fabric is necessary depends on your specific situation. For areas where long-term weed suppression is critical, and minimal soil disturbance is desired, such as under pathways or large landscaped areas, landscape fabric can be a valuable tool. However, in vegetable gardens or flower beds where soil health and plant vitality are paramount, considering the alternatives may be beneficial.
Landscape fabric has its place in the gardener’s toolkit but is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Assessing the needs of your landscape, considering the long-term implications on soil health, and weighing the maintenance requirements will guide you in making the right choice for your garden.