
While mulches, such as chipped and shredded recycled rubber, offer aesthetic value when layered around the bases of trees and shrubs, they do not decompose, so a layer of landscape fabric will keep them from sinking into the soil where they would be difficult to remove. Keeps inorganic mulches and unwanted debris like rocks from settling into the soil.

Because it’s intended to be left in place, it’s not recommended for vegetable gardens or annual flower beds. Most gardeners agree that the best place for landscaping fabric is around shrubs and trees where it can be installed and topped with quality mulch to hopefully last for years. Note that virtually all landscape fabric can be covered with mulch of any type-wood chips, gravel, recycled rubber nuggets, etc. Landscape pins, which sell separately, are necessary to secure the fabric and add to your total material cost. Thicker fabric typically runs a bit more expensive. It comes in rolls, typically at least 3 feet wide and anywhere from 50 feet to 200 feet, or more, in length.

Some brands offer UV protection to maintain the life of the fabric. Landscape fabric is constructed from woven fibers or manufactured as a solid sheet with perforated holes to allow water to soak through. Several weed-control methods are available, and the use of landscape fabric is right at the top of the list because it doesn’t involve using potentially toxic chemicals to kill or prevent unwanted weed growth. Whether you’re new to gardening or have been at it so long your thumb is a deep shade of green, you may have seen rolls of landscape fabric at DIY stores and gardening centers-and become intrigued.įor those who lead active lives, spending a few hours on the weekend pulling or digging weeds out of a garden or flowerbed can quickly become tedious.
