Landscape fabric is primarily used to control weeds, but this versatile product can be used for various gardening needs. It can be used to improve the look of your outdoor space, make gardening tasks easier on the back, minimize erosion, and, when used with mulch, improve the quality of the soil.

But the thing with landscape fabric weed barrier is the quality varies from brand to brand. How to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck? In this guide, we’re helping you choose the best landscape fabric for your eco-friendly gardening needs:

Factors to Consider When Choosing Landscape Fabric for Your Garden

Choosing the right landscape fabric for the job is important because the wrong product won’t give you the results you expect. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best one for your needs.

What to Look for in a Landscape Fabric

UV Resistance: Select landscape fabric with UV resistance to prolong its lifespan. UV-resistant fabrics are less prone to degradation from sunlight exposure, extending their life. UV protection reduces the need for frequent replacements, promoting sustainability.

Permeability: Ensure that the landscape fabric allows water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the soil. Adequate permeability is essential for maintaining soil health and supporting plant growth. Look for fabrics with perforations or porous designs that facilitate proper drainage and aeration.

Weave type: Consider the weave type of the fabric. Woven landscape fabric, made from interlocking fibers, is durable and provides excellent weed suppression. Non-woven fabric, created by bonding fibers together, offers good water and air permeability, promoting healthy soil conditions.

Durability: Check the expected lifespan and durability of the landscape fabric. Investing in a high-quality, long-lasting fabric reduces the need for frequent replacements, saving both time and money in the long run.

Consider factors such as tear resistance, UV stability, and overall construction quality. Pay attention to the thickness and weight of the fabric. Thicker fabrics are more durable and offer better weed control. But, they may be less permeable to water and nutrients. Choose a balance between thickness and permeability based on your gardening needs.

Some brands offer “non-fray” landscape fabric. These won’t have frayed edges, so they look better once installed. Since the edges are non-frayed, they’re more durable.

Materials: Opt for landscape fabric made from eco-friendly materials. Look for options like recycled polypropylene or biodegradable materials such as natural jute or hemp. These materials minimize environmental impact while still providing effective weed control.

Mulch compatibility: Many growers use mulch with landscape fabric to improve the look of the garden. Mulching helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health. If you are planning to do this, choose a product that’s compatible with mulch. Ensure that the fabric is designed to work effectively with mulch layers without impeding their benefits.

Chemical-free: Opt for landscape fabric that is free from harmful chemicals or petroleum. Chemical-free fabrics are safer for the environment, minimizing soil contamination and potential harm to beneficial organisms. Look for certifications or labels indicating the absence of toxic substances.

If you’re still unsure what kind of landscape fabric to buy for your gardening needs, go online and pore over customer reviews and recommendations from gardening experts or fellow enthusiasts. Real-world experiences can provide valuable insights into the performance and suitability of different landscape fabric options for eco-friendly gardening.

Some cons:

Discourages re-seeding: Just like how landscape fabric works great to inhibit weed growth, it can also discourage desired plants from growing. For example, some flowering plants might not grow in places where landscape fabrics are installed so there will be fewer blooms come springtime.

Tricky to move plants around: If you like moving plants around, it will be trickier to do it if the areas in your garden are covered by landscape fabric. Disturbing the landscape fabric often might affect its effectiveness in preventing weeds.

Affects worm population: Earthworms and burrowing critters won’t be able to come up to the soil surface if the area is covered with landscape fabric. This can cause the soil to harden and lose nutrients at the same time. This can be solved by tilling the soil regularly and adding soil amendments.

What is the most durable material for landscape fabric?

When considering durability, one of the most reliable materials is polypropylene. Polypropylene is a type of plastic that is resistant to tearing and degradation from UV radiation.

The durability of polypropylene landscape fabric is a result of its unique molecular structure. Its long chains of molecules provide exceptional toughness and resilience, enabling it to withstand external pressures without deteriorating easily. This resilience is vital in outdoor environments where the fabric is exposed to changing weather conditions and everyday wear and tear.

Polypropylene is resistant to rot and decay, which is essential for long-term effectiveness in landscaping applications. Unlike some natural materials like cotton or jute, polypropylene won’t decompose over time, ensuring that the fabric maintains its integrity for an extended period.

It is also treated with UV inhibitors to prolong its lifespan. UV inhibitors shield the fabric from the damaging effects of sunlight to maintain its strength and integrity over time.

Woven or non-woven landscape fabric?

Landscape fabric typically comes in a woven, non-woven, and spun structure.

Woven fabric consists of interlocking fibers, creating a sturdy crisscrossing matrix to resist tearing and stretching. Woven landscape fabric is best used under patios, paths, and walkways. It is also used to control weeds around trees and shrubs. The product is durable enough to withstand heavy foot traffic.

Non-woven landscape fabric is made by thermally bonding polypropylene and then needle-punched to let water and moisture seep through the material. It is also used under mulch to prevent mulch materials from sinking into the soil. Professional-grade non-woven landscape fabrics are also used for large-scale hardscaping.

Do note, that non-woven landscape fabric is less durable than woven landscape fabric because it’s thinner and perforated. But, it’s still resilient enough to withstand everyday wear and tear for years to come. It’s perfect for most types of gardening needs because of the excellent drainage and filtration.

Spun landscape fabric is made from non-woven bonded polyester layers so it’s heavy duty and thick. It’s mainly used as a protective barrier against invasive grasses or plants. Because it’s thick and non-permeable spun landscape fabric is often installed in irrigation and drainage systems. It also discourages the spread of pests and insects in big gardens and farms.

Landscape fabric comes in different types. Choose a product that’s designed specifically for your gardening needs to achieve the desired results!

By considering the factors we’ve listed above, you can select the best landscape fabric for your eco-friendly gardening needs, promoting sustainability while effectively controlling weeds and maintaining soil health in your garden.