How to Use Landscape Fabric in Your Yard

Landscape fabric and landscape plastic are two materials commonly used for planting beds. Landscape fabric is a synthetic and porous material mainly used to keep germinating seeds and weeds from growing within a landscape bed. This fabric is useful for erosion control, maintaining weeds around plant materials, while allowing water and air to filter through the soil. Landscape plastic is a nonporous material which covers the soil from receiving any sunlight, water, air, etc. These fabrics are best used under decks, rock sculptures, stone sidewalks, and behind retaining walls. Both the landscape fabric and plastic will provide your landscaped areas with a clean and neat appearance.

Landscape fabric and plastic should only be used if they are absolutely necessary for your design. Erosion control is the main condition upon using landscape Bean bag suppliers in your garden beds. There are also ecological concerns related to fabric installation. The process of organic decomposition and water evaporation may slow down and produce mold spores. Your overall design may not need an entire area covered with landscape fabric, creating garden beds with this in mind will enhance your garden efficiency and maintenance plans. Consider the longevity of material installed. The fabric or plastic will erode over time. You may cover the area with extra mulch to delay erosion of the fabric, but fabric material should not be used to keep mulch in place.

Lifetime of your fabric will depend upon proper installation and maintenance. To install the fabric, clear out any weeds or unruly plants, rake the soil creating a smooth and even surface, align the fabric pieces to the length and width of the garden bed, and trim off any excess pieces that extend beyond your mulching area. Secure the fabric with landscape staples, pay careful attention to the edges. For additional plantings, cut an "X" in the fabric and install the new plants. Once your bed has the plants, cover fabric with two to three inches of mulch.