Best Landscape Fabric For Weed Prevention
Weeds are an integral component of landscapes that compete with shrubs, trees, and flowers for nutrients. Usually, several dozens of weed seeds can be found below the soil surface, waiting for the sun to touch them so they can manifest their innermost potentials. One way you could arrest the influence of weeds in your home is by using landscape fabric. This fabric acts as a physical obstacle between the sun and your soil and helps to prevent weed seeds from growing. These fabrics are, however, designed to allow water and air to access the plant roots. In this guide, we will show the best landscape fabrics in 2021 available at this time, and a buying guide that will provide essential knowledge to you so you can make an informed buying decision.
Best Landscape Fabrics Buying Guide
Buying the perfect landscape fabric shouldn't be too tricky, and it won't be a walk in the park as well. In this guide, we will explore all you need to know before you buy one.
Types of landscaping fabric
Knowing the different types of landscaping fabric will help simplify your search.
Burlap
Burlap represents a perfect choice for nurseries. Aside from keeping the weeds in check, it also provides excellent resistance against rotting and insects.
Woven landscape fabric
Woven landscape fabric helps prevent weeds from growing while also sealing the soil moisture to give you healthier plants.
Plastic fabric
Somebody may use plastic materials for gardens that use drip irrigation. Also, somebody may use them in rock gardens to prevent vegetation from growing in raised flower beds before the soil gets added.
Nonwoven landscape fabric
The nonwoven landscape fabric is both easy to set up and lightweight. It is designed to protect your plants from weeds and frost while also allowing the entrance of nutrients and water.
Things to know before you buy landscape fabric
In flower and vegetable gardens, plants moved frequently. With landscape fabrics laid across the area, this becomes quite difficult, which is why you should strictly consider using landscape fabric for weed suppression between rows alone. Note that soils covered using landscape fabric tend to compact with time because of the poor aeration and reduced earthworm population in the area. Landscape fabrics are ideal for use in areas with permanent shrubs and trees without plans to plant in the future.
Durability and thickness
Thicker fabrics generally cost more, so you should choose broader barriers in gravel areas where the rock may wear out thinner materials over time. Another thing you should consider is tough weeds because some of them can grow through weak barriers. Do not use heavy fabrics where you find herbs, vegetables, and the likes because the roots of these plants may lie close to the top, and this may crush them. Instead, go for perforated and thinner options when looking for a suitable fabric.
Resistance to UV rays
Excessive exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can cause a couple of adverse effects on the fabric. It suffices to say that these barriers need the spreading of a layer of gravel or mulch over the material to cut down the UV light exposure. You will easily find many of the obstacles labeled UV stabilized or resistant. When you see "Resistant," it simply means that the fabric has some unique features which make it less prone to the negative effects of sunlight. In the case of those "UV stabilized," they have been made to resist the UV light effect.
Roll size
Make sure you have a good idea of the amount of fabric you will need to get your project done. You will usually find rolls in widths of at least 3 feet and lengths of up to 300 feet. Depending on the area you want to cover, ascertain the needed width and height for the job. Also, make provision for some overlap.
Durability
Buying and installing a landscape fabric ought to be not too tough. However, the fabric installation can be hard to repeat when replacing the material as it gets old. Choosing the perfect weed barrier for the correct application is vital for getting the most value for your money. The durability of the fabric hinges on factors such as application, temperature, and exposure.
Why should I use landscaping fabrics?
If you still haven’t made up your mind on the need to use landscaping fabric, here are some benefits you will enjoy using them.
They help prevent waterlogging
If the land is flat or the water table is high, you need to have a properly laid out drainage system. Without such a system, water may cause damage to the entire system and even drown valuable plants. If you have some parts of your lawn prone to waterlogging, you need to have the proper drainage solution in place. Using the perfect landscaping fabrics should help you take care of this problem easily.
They prevent gravel and soil from moving around unnecessarily
If you consider covering your driveway using stone, you may need a strong textile membrane to keep the stone in place, so it doesn't spill on the road. These fabrics are made to allow the flow of water while helping to stabilize the aggregate inside.
They help to separate the different soil parts
When the soil in your home gets compacted due to excessive use, it may lead to some undesirable problems. Geotextiles are pretty helpful in keeping the different soil parts separate to prevent rutting and sinking, which is caused by aggregates that settle in the soil below.
Less time gardening
If you are tired of struggling with weeds in your borders and beds, weed control fabrics can help you out. These fabrics allow water, air, and nutrients to go through, even though they prevent weeds from coming out from the dormant plants beneath.
Final thoughts
Knowing what to look for before buying a landscaping fabric will save you a lot of time, energy, and resources. This guide and product reviews were designed to help simplify your search and help you find the perfect product, and we hope it achieves that purpose.
The Best Landscape Fabrics You Can Buy in 2021
ECOgardener Premium Landscape Fabric
– Best Overall
The ECOgardener landscape fabric comes in different shapes and sizes to help take care of every gardener’s needs. Regardless of how small or big your garden may be, this landscape fabric is designed to make your growing life simpler. This fabric is designed to give you the best weed control, thus boosting your efficiency and productivity. Additionally, this unique fabric is light enough to be carried and cut, and it is also heavy enough to help protect your garden.
You no longer need to worry about buying fabrics that stop the flow of nutrients and water, as this unique landscape fabric will allow water and air into your soil while blocking weeds. You certainly can never go wrong with this fabric!
- Very flexible
- Easy to use
- Very efficient
- The fuzzy back isn’t exactly the best idea
Mutual Polyethylene Woven Landscape Fabric
– Runner Up
Not too many fabrics can compete with the quality and efficiency of the Mutual WF200 polyethylene woven fabric. This fabric is designed to resist biological deterioration and ultraviolet effects. Also, the material is intended to prevent naturally encountered acids and fabrics as well as rotting. This fabric is made to help with separation and stabilization. They are at their best when used under stones or pavements because they help hold the soil in place. The woven fabrics help to extend the surface life while giving a much-needed separation layer between subgrade and aggregate.
- It helps prevent shifting below the ground
- It helps in holding the soil in place
- It helps to stabilize foundations
- It can be used under gabions, rip rap, or precast block
- Edges fray with time when cut
Agfabric 3×100 Ft Landscape Fabric
– Honorable Mention
Enjoy a chemical-free and environmentally friendly landscape fabric made using heavy-duty polypropylene fabric. This fabric is designed to help control weeds without the use of chemicals, which hitherto may cause damage to the soil, making it nutrient deficient and dry. Also, you no longer have to bother about your plants breathing as this fabric is designed to allow moisture and air to reach your plants. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about evaporation and nutrient leaching, which means less time watering your plants.
This fabric is easy to install, making it the perfect choice for greenhouses, garden pathways, playground areas, and under deck.
- Easy to install and use
- Help prevent nutrient leaching and erosion
- Environment-friendly
- Lines are not spaced evenly across the paper
Amagabeli Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric
– Contender
The Amagabeli landscape fabric is designed with a 5.8oz high density woven needle punched dual layer. It is also composed of professional-grade polyester material, helping it boost your efficiency and productivity. Another unique feature of this fabric is that it is long-lasting and durable. Unlike the nonwoven landscaping fabric, this cloth was made using high density woven needle that helps conserve soil moisture. Also, it has a premium design that allows air to pass through while preserving soil moisture.
Other unique features include the fact that it is UV stabilized and weatherproof. Also, the fabric is easy to set up and can be used for multiple uses.
- Eco-friendly and weatherproof
- Easy to setup
- Multiple-use
- High strength and permeability
- Shrinks gradually
GDNaid Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric
– Also Consider
The GDNai weed barrier is created to help you save the time, energy, and resources required to remove weeds. This easy-to-use weed barrier may be partially laid or put on the ground, and you may also apply them under the seedbed, which is ideal for giving you convenient and efficient control. Another unique feature of this fabric is that it protects the roots while keeping the soil moist even though it allows water and air to pass. Additionally, the durable and thickening material helps prevent unraveling. This weed barrier is UV stable which means you don’t have to be afraid of sunlight.
Rest assured that this weed barrier is environmentally friendly and affordable!
- UV stable
- Environment-friendly
- Helps prevent unraveling
- Strong against tears
- Cuts easily
GardenMate Woven Weed Landscape Fabric
– Also Consider
This landscape fabric is the perfect solution for your garden. The material is made using heavy-duty 3 oz/yd2 woven PP fabric, which has many advantages. This fabric helps stabilize it from sunlight and making it even more durable and breathable. It is also water permeable and allows water, air, and nutrients to pass through with ease. Additionally, it makes sure that the soil underneath it remains in perfect condition, and it’s also tear-resistant.
One other unique feature of this fabric is that it is composed of a membrane which makes it perfect for different uses in the garden, such as pathways, decking, patios, vegetable beds, and patios.
- Quite easy to unroll
- Allows the flow of water through it
- It can be cut using regular scissors
- Works well against ordinary weeds
- The edges tend to fray if you keep cutting them
AGTEK Landscape Fabric
– Also Consider
The fabrics of the AGTEK landscape fabric are produced using heavy-duty woven fabrics. Even though it is made using premium density materials, air and water can still find their way. You don’t have to bother about water not finding its way through as this product helps take care of that. This product is affordable, multi-functional, easy to install, and serves as a perfect walkway and playground underlayment.
- Easy to install and use
- Allows the entrance of air and water
- Very affordable
- Not the easiest to clean
Landscape Fabric FAQ
A: Yes, they are. Although plastic does help prevent weeds, it also traps water and air away from the soil, which causes plant-killing diseases to develop. However, landscape fabrics are known to impede weed, and they are also permeable, which means you will get proper water, air, and nutrient balance in the soil.
A: Yes, you will discover that woven polypropylene is the perfect choice for boosting plant growth and stopping weed. You will find that some manufacturers look for shortcuts by just perforating the plastic. The best fabrics out there are Ultraviolet light treated to fight against the decomposing effect of the sun.
A: Weeds are known to grow anywhere there is an organic presence which will lead to germination. It suffices to say that if the wind blows seeds and soil upon the fabric surface, there may be weed growth.
