Over the years in our industry, we have seen many things used to prevent weeds. Heavy landscape fabric used under plants is one. We have seen the harm that it can do over time to your soil and to the plants.
In the environment, everything works together in a symbiotic relationship. Plants need healthy soil. Healthy soil requires oxygen, water, and nutrients. When you remove a plant’s ability to receive one of those necessary nutrients, by creating an unhealthy soil, it is no surprise that the plant will react, and sometimes in an unfavorable way.
Using heavy-duty landscape fabric under plants might seem like a good way to control weeds, but it often causes more problems than it solves.
Here’s why you shouldn’t use it:
Restricts Water and Air Flow Over Time
While initially porous, landscape fabric tends to get clogged with soil, mulch, and debris, making it harder for water and oxygen to reach plant roots.
Roots Can Get Trapped
Plant roots may grow into the fabric or become trapped between it and the soil, which can stunt their growth or make them more vulnerable to stress.
Weeds Still Grow—Just Differently
Weeds eventually grow on top of the fabric as mulch and debris accumulate. And because their roots are in the mulch, they can still be a pain to pull out. Some weeds can grow in the mulch and pierce the fabric below to get to the soil under. Nutgrass, Crabgrass and even Crape Myrtles can go right through the fabric.
Breaks Down or Tears Over Time
Most landscape fabric can degrade, tear, or shift over the years, especially if exposed to sunlight or pierced by roots or garden tools, reducing its effectiveness. It is not biodegradable, and it will remain on and in the soil, even in whole, or in strings and pieces.
Prevents the Benefits of Organic Mulch
One of the biggest drawbacks is that the fabric keeps mulch from breaking down and enriching the soil. Organic mulch is meant to decompose slowly, adding nutrients and improving soil structure over time, but that process is disrupted with fabric in the way. As a result, the soil underneath becomes compacted, depleted, and less healthy in the long run.
Difficult to Remove Later
Once roots grow through it and debris builds up, trying to remove the fabric later can turn into a nightmare, especially in established beds.
Use Natural Mulch
Instead, using natural mulch (like wood chips, bark, or shredded leaves) without a barrier allows for better moisture control, weed suppression, and improved soil health as it naturally breaks down and feeds the soil. If enough mulch is applied, it will greatly benefit your plant. A 3-4 inch layer of mulch is recommended and replenished as it breaks down.
Note on Stone Or Rocks: The use of stone or rock is also not recommended for many of the same issues you may have with landscape fabric. UNLESS the plants you are using prefer a rocky habitat, it is not suitable for general shrubs and trees.
Best Uses For Landscape Fabric
Landscape fabric is a staple at most container nurseries, but the plants are on top of it, not planted in it. Here are a few ways you can use landscape fabric that doesn’t involve plants:
- Block, brick, stone, or pebble patios and walkways
- Play Yards with pebbles, sand, or mulch
- Use for container gardens under stones or pebbles
- Pieces of ground fabric can be cut and used at the bottom of containers
- Under swimming pools or water gardens
- Sheds and outbuildings to provide a clean floor base
