Raised beds are a favorite among gardeners for good reason—they offer better drainage, improved soil quality, and a more comfortable gardening experience. But when it comes to building a raised bed, one question sparks ongoing debate: Should you use landscape fabric at the bottom of your raised bed? Some gardeners swear by it for weed control, while others argue it does more harm than good.

In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of using landscape fabric in raised beds, explore alternative options, and help you decide what’s best for your garden.

What Is Landscape Fabric, Exactly?

Landscape fabric is a woven or non-woven material—often made of polypropylene—designed to block weeds while allowing air and water to pass through. It’s widely used in flower beds, under gravel paths, and around shrubs. But when it comes to raised beds, its role becomes more controversial.

Why Gardeners Consider Using Landscape Fabric in Raised Beds

Here are some common reasons gardeners lay landscape fabric at the bottom of their raised beds:

1. Weed Suppression

The most cited benefit is stopping weeds or invasive grasses from creeping into the bed from below. This is especially helpful in areas with aggressive weeds like Bermuda grass or quackgrass.

2. Separation From Native Soil

In some cases, gardeners use landscape fabric to separate their high-quality soil in the raised bed from poor, rocky, or contaminated native soil.

3. Pest Control

Fabric can act as a partial barrier to burrowing pests like moles, gophers, or voles (though hardware cloth is better for this purpose).

The Case Against Landscape Fabric in Raised Beds

Despite the potential benefits, many experienced gardeners advise against it—and for good reason. Here’s why:

1. It Can Restrict Root Growth

Over time, roots may grow down to the fabric and stop, unable to penetrate it. This leads to shallow root systems and weaker plants, especially for deep-rooted vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, or squash.

2. Poor Drainage Over Time

While most landscape fabric is breathable, it can become clogged with soil particles, reducing water movement and leading to soggy or compacted soil at the bottom of the bed.

3. Limits Soil Life

Soil is alive with worms, fungi, and beneficial microbes that move between layers. A barrier like fabric can disrupt this ecosystem, limiting long-term soil health and fertility.

4. Difficult to Repair or Replace

Once your bed is filled and planted, you can’t easily fix or replace landscape fabric. If it starts to tear, shift, or fail, you’ll have to dig everything out to address it.

What to Use Instead of Landscape Fabric

If your goal is weed suppression or soil separation, there are better alternatives that won’t restrict plant health.

1. Cardboard or Newspaper

Laying down a few layers of cardboard or several sheets of newspaper is a popular and eco-friendly method. It suppresses weeds, breaks down over time, and feeds the soil as it decomposes.

• Pros: Biodegradable, adds organic matter, easy to install.
• Cons: Temporary—will break down in a season or two.

2. Hardware Cloth (for Pest Control)

If you’re concerned about burrowing pests, hardware cloth (a metal mesh) is a more durable option than fabric.

• Pros: Long-lasting, blocks pests effectively.
• Cons: More expensive and labor-intensive to install.

3. Go Fabric-Free

In many cases, you may not need any barrier at all. Filling your bed with high-quality soil and mulch, while regularly weeding, can keep most intrusions at bay. This gives plant roots full access to the native soil below.

When Landscape Fabric Might Make Sense

There are a few specific scenarios where using landscape fabric at the bottom of a raised bed could be beneficial:

• You’re building a shallow raised bed over weedy ground, and you won’t be growing deep-rooted plants.
• You need a temporary solution while reclaiming an overgrown space.
• You’re building on contaminated soil (e.g., old industrial sites) and need to create a strong separation.

Even in these cases, layering cardboard on top of the fabric can help balance weed control with soil health.

Expert Tip: Focus on Mulch for Ongoing Weed Control

Regardless of whether you use fabric, maintaining a thick mulch layer (2–4 inches) on top of your raised bed can prevent most weed problems. Organic mulches like straw, shredded leaves, or wood chips also nourish the soil as they break down—something landscape fabric can’t do.

Final Verdict: Landscape Fabric in Raised Beds—Yes or No?

In most cases, the answer is no—landscape fabric is not ideal for the bottom of raised beds. While it can offer some short-term weed suppression or soil separation, the long-term downsides (restricted roots, reduced soil life, poor drainage) outweigh the benefits.

Instead, use cardboard or newspaper for weed suppression, and rely on good soil practices and mulch for a healthy, thriving raised bed.

Summary Table: Pros and Cons of Using Landscape Fabric in Raised Beds

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I put landscape fabric on the sides of my raised bed?

Yes! If weeds are creeping in through the sides or bottom edges, lining just the vertical walls can help prevent intrusion without limiting root growth.

Q: What about using landscape fabric on top of the bed, under mulch?

That’s a different use case and more commonly accepted. Just be aware that over time, mulch breaks down and weeds can start to grow on top of the fabric unless it’s refreshed regularly.

Conclusion

While landscape fabric has its place in landscaping, it’s usually not the best choice for raised garden beds. If you’re aiming for long-term plant health, better drainage, and a thriving root system, skip the synthetic barrier. Instead, focus on building living soil and using natural weed suppression methods that work with—not against—your garden’s ecosystem.