What is Landscape Fabric and when to use it?

landscape fabric, when used correctly, can be an effective way to limit weed growth and keep your garden beds looking pristine. It stifles weeds, locks in moisture, and helps with stability.

The use of landscape fabric is not without controversy though. If you’re going to use it, you’ll want to do your research and be aware of the pros and cons of using landscape fabric.

If you are considering using landscape fabric, our guide will tell you what landscape fabric is, the advantages and drawbacks, when to use it, and types of landscape fabric.

Advantages of landscape fabric

Landscape fabric has a long list of additional benefits besides keeping weeds out of garden beds. The sun-blocking abilities of landscape fabric help soil retain moisture by slowing evaporation.

Landscape fabric also helps with stability and offers a measure of erosion control in areas that are prone to washout with heavy rains. It works great as a barrier beneath hardscaping and prevents inorganic mulch like rocks and pea gravel from sinking into the soil.

When to Use Landscape Fabric?

Landscaping fabric is most typically used beneath mulched areas around trees, shrubs, or bushes. Landscape fabric is laid over soil and then mulch is layered on top of the fabric.

Landscape fabric also works well beneath gravel, rock, or hardscaping. It also can be used beneath flower beds or ground cover to reduce weeds and the need for weed control.

Woven landscaping fabric

Woven landscaping fabric is the most commonly used type. It’s typically made from polypropylene or linen fibers that are woven together to create a durable, semi-permeable material.

Woven landscaping fabric’s small holes allow both water and nutrients to seep through to the earth, while still preventing weeds from growing up toward the sun.

This type is best used as a Weed Control Fabric around trees and shrubs or in flower beds with plants that won’t be changed often. Woven fabrics are usually black, green, or a brown, natural burlap color.

Most options offer some innate ultraviolet (UV) resistance or have been treated to be UV stabilized so that they hold up under the sun.

Yes. Putting landscape fabric under gravel isn’t a requirement, but it is recommended. When used under gravel, it provides all the positives of weed control and added stability, without any of the negatives.

FAQ About Landscape Fabric

What is the best landscape fabric?

The best landscape fabric is going to depend on what you’re using it for. As a Weed Barrier around trees, shrubs, and low-maintenance beds, woven landscaping fabrics work best. For stability and weed blocking under rock or gravel, non-woven landscape fabrics work best.

Which is better landscape fabric or plastic?

There are some reasonable situations where landscape plastic might be a better option for you, however landscape fabric has more uses and is typically the better option.