Weed Fabric For Weed Control In The GardenWeed fabric in the garden is not a Gnome’s favorite thing, but it does have its uses. It is more like a temporary fix than a long-term solution for weeds. If a landscaper comes to give you advice about keeping weeds out of your garden, make sure that if you are putting in a garden that you hope to have for years, you don’t install weed fabric. Speaking from experience, you will be ripping it back up within a couple of years, and that is about as much fun as it looks, which is not fun at all. How Weed Fabric Can Be UsefulThis cloth is most useful for temporary landscape installations. Some people would not be happy with me for suggesting that you use it at all, but it is fine, when used in the right situation.
Why It Is Not A Good Long-Term SolutionAs nice as it would be if this stuff were a good long-term solution for weed control, unfortunately, it is not. The major reason for this is that as soon as you add any type of organic mulch on top of it (to improve the appearance of the flower or shrub bed), that mulch will begin breaking down and turning into soil, which is a great place for weeds to sprout.You might also find, after having your garden for a couple of years, that you want to add new perennials, trees and shrubs or annual plants. This barrier makes it very difficult to add plants to a garden. In order to make major changes, you have to take up the entire piece. After it has been on the ground for several years with plants rooting into it, removing it is very difficult. Weed Fabric Is Not MulchIt can perform some of the same functions of mulch—namely weed control. It does allow air and water through to the root zone. It does not help conserve water or moderate temperature, which are two important functions of mulch. It does not add organic matter to the soil, something that organic mulches do.It is a matter of personal preference—using weed fabric or not. However, I do not recommend it. Happy gardening. Geefrank
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