5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Weed Control Fabric

Landscape fabric, also referred to as weed control fabric, is an important tool in today’s gardening and landscaping. Landscape fabric serves as a physical barrier to prevent unwanted weed growth, while allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of growing plants. If it is not used properly, the value of retaining wall fabric can be dramatically reduced. 

Comsyn specializes in providing high-performing ground cover weed control fabric solutions to help residential or commercial landscapes succeed. In this article, we review the mistakes people make with landscape fabric and how we can avoid them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Landscape Fabric

1. Inadequate Site Preparation

One of the most common blunders made when installing weed control fabric is neglecting the appropriate site preparation. Weeds, rocks, or debris can all destroy your weed control fabric and provide a breeding space for new weeds. You’ll want to ensure the area is completely cleared, the soil is level, and there are no roots of any existing weeds being left behind. If you’re careless about clearing the site before using even the most heavy-duty weed control fabric, you compromise its intended purpose.

2. Choosing the Wrong Type of Fabric

Not all weed control fabric marketed for ground cover is the same. Woven, non-woven, biodegradable, and recycled types are utilized for differing reasons. When deciding what to use, it is important not to use a type that is too lightweight and allow it to wear out long before its time, because you’re in a location with high traffic. As with any other materials, consider the project and determine the materials that fit your planned usage to avoid disappointment from a premature failure in materials.

3. Incorrect Installation

One common installation error is not pinning the weed control fabric down. If you are not using any landscape staples or pins to secure the fabric in place, then it may shift over time, leaving an opening for weeds. Another common mistake is not overlapping edges sufficiently, it’s possible that weeds can push through edges that are not overlapped. Always cut the fabric reasonably to fit plants into, and always use generous overlaps to ensure full coverage.

4. Neglecting to Use Mulch

While some gardeners think they are safe with heavy-duty weed control fabric alone, the fabric will deteriorate through ultraviolet degradation without mulch. A layer of organic mulch 2-3 inches deep will provide protection to the fabric, help retain moisture, and provide better aesthetics to the landscape. It is such an easy thing to do that would appreciably prolong the life of your ground cover weed control fabric.

5. Ignoring Maintenance

Once it is installed, a lot of people consider landscape fabric a “set it and forget it” solution. However, inspections are important to notice if there are rips, places where water is pooling, or where weeds have breached the barrier. If small damage is fixed quickly, there will be no long-term issues, and your fabric continues to perform, season after season.

6. Overlooking Soil Health

Extended use of ground cover, landscaping fabric inhibits healthy soil, plant growth, and biodiversity. Landscaping fabric can limit the organic matter that natural soil enriches. So as not to have a negative impact on soil health, lift/replenish the ground cover weed control fabric when needed, amend the soil, and promote beneficial microbial support.

Types of Landscape Fabric

• Woven Landscape Fabric

Woven landscape fabric is a hit for garden beds, walkways, and flower borders. Made with tightly woven polypropylene, it is durable and provides great permeability so that water and nutrients can pass through, while blocking sunlight to prevent weeds from emerging. It is the fabric of choice for many who seek longevity and heavy-duty weed control fabric.

• Non-Woven Landscape Fabric

Non-woven options will usually be chosen in erosion control projects, on heavily trafficked paths or foot/bike paths due to their strength and stability. A non-woven fabric may be lower in terms of water permeability as compared to a woven fabric. You want to select the appropriate type of weed control fabric to best match your landscaping needs.

• Biodegradable Options

Environmentally safe, biodegradable ground cover weed control fabric is great for eco-friendly gardeners who like using fabrics for temporary landscape projects. As the name suggests, this biodegradable fabric will decompose and will not leave synthetic residues or organic matter behind, while giving the same effect as planting an annual seasonal garden project. 

• Recycled Material Fabrics

Fabrics made from recyclable, post-consumer plastic material are a sustainable choice. When choosing these materials, gardeners and landscapers are reducing waste going into the landfill while not taking away from the durability or effectiveness of the products.

Preparation Before Installation

Firstly, remove all weeds, old mulch, and debris from the area where you will be applying weed control. Be sure that there are no sharp stones or roots that could protrude through the weed control fabric.  Preparing the site includes loosening the soil, aerating it, amending it with compost for nutrients, and leveling it. It is important to have a clean and smooth surface for the weed control fabric to be installed, to allow for maximum effectiveness and lack of protrusions, which could tear or lead to the premature wear of the weed control fabric.

Installation Process

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

• Lay the heavy-duty weed control fabric over the prepared area. 
• Make sure you overlap edges by 6–12 inches to be weed-free. 
• Cut slits for plants rather than holes to reduce exposure. 
• Use landscape staples to hold the fabric down at a pace of 2-4 ft. 
• Apply a protective layer of mulch to hold the landscape fabric in place. 
• Mulch will also help protect the fabric from the sun.

Tips for Effective Installation

Avoid stretching the fabric too tightly; a little slack allows it to settle naturally with the soil. Also, ensure water can still drain through to avoid pooling and root rot.

Maintenance Tips

• Maintaining the Fabric for Longevity

Inspect your ground cover weed control fabric at the start of every season. Address any tears, exposed edges, or areas with weed penetration promptly to maintain effective coverage.

• Dealing with Common Issues

If weeds emerge through holes, manually remove them and patch the area with new fabric. For water pooling, ensure the soil beneath remains properly graded.

Comsyn’s Landscape Fabric Solutions

Comsyn provides a range of different types of high-quality weed suppression fabrics to accommodate any landscaping requirement. All of our products – including robust woven and non-woven options, biodegradable fabric options made of environmentally-friendly materials, and fabrics made of recycled materials are designed to provide you with superior weed suppression without harming the soil or your plants. 

Comsyn’s products are trusted by both landscaping professionals and home gardeners, and promise durability, sustainability, and ease of use on any landscape project.

Conclusion

Using a weed barrier properly can make a huge impact on the success of your landscaping efforts. If you avoid some of the common pitfalls, such as site preparation, the actual weed barrier choice, and maintenance, you will end up with a gorgeous landscape that is weed-free. Simply put, choose the right ground cover weed control fabric, install it properly, maintain it, and you will see the great benefits over and over every season. 

Trust Comsyn to provide you with durable, reliable, and sustainable solutions for all of your landscape needs!

FAQs

Q: What is the best fabric for weed control?

Woven landscape fabric is considered the best for weed control. It’s durable, breathable, and allows water and nutrients to pass through.

Q: Where to use weed control fabric?

Use weed control fabric in garden beds, under mulch, walkways, and around trees. It helps suppress weeds while maintaining soil health.

Q: What is the best thickness for weed barrier fabric?

A thickness of 3 to 5 oz per square yard is ideal. It balances strength, permeability, and longevity for most landscaping needs.

Q: Is weed barrier fabric better than plastic?

Yes, fabric is better than plastic as it allows air and water flow. Plastic can suffocate roots and trap moisture, causing plant stress.