The challenge of maintaining a weed-free garden often leads homeowners to seek effective ground cover materials. Traditional landscape fabric is a common solution, providing a barrier to suppress unwanted plant growth. However, interest in natural, less permanent alternatives has grown, prompting the question of whether burlap can successfully replace synthetic materials in the garden. Evaluating burlap’s properties against those of conventional fabric reveals that it is a viable, yet temporary, option best suited for specific gardening applications.
Defining the Materials and Key Differences
Traditional landscape fabric is a geosynthetic material typically manufactured from polypropylene or polyester fibers. This construction makes the fabric chemically stable, resistant to decay, and often UV-stabilized for extended outdoor use. Depending on the weave, it functions as a long-term barrier, separating soil from decorative stone or mulch and preventing weed growth from below. This material is designed for longevity, with high-quality versions capable of lasting between five and twenty years when properly covered.
Burlap, in contrast, is a coarse, woven cloth made from natural jute or sometimes hemp fibers. This material is inherently untreated, highly porous, and completely biodegradable. As an organic material, burlap is a temporary solution; it is fully expected to break down and integrate back into the soil over time. Its lifespan outdoors is significantly shorter, generally lasting only one to two seasons before decomposition begins in earnest.
The fundamental difference lies in their environmental fate and lifespan. Synthetic fabric resists rot and moisture, remaining intact for years but requires disposal. Burlap naturally breaks down, adding organic matter to the soil structure as it decomposes, which eliminates the need for removal.
Performance Comparison: Weed Control and Water Flow
When considering weed suppression, both materials are effective initially, but their long-term performance differs greatly. Synthetic landscape fabric provides an immediate, robust barrier that blocks sunlight and physically stops weeds from emerging from the soil beneath it. The primary failure of synthetic fabric occurs when organic matter, like fallen leaves or decomposing mulch, accumulates on top, creating a new layer where airborne weed seeds can germinate and take root.
Burlap also suppresses weeds effectively by blocking light, especially when a heavier weight fabric is used. However, its effectiveness quickly wanes as the natural fibers begin to break down due to moisture and microbial activity. This makes burlap an ideal choice for annual vegetable gardens or temporary pathways where soil incorporation is desired at the end of the season. It is not a suitable long-term barrier for permanent plantings or hardscaping.
A significant advantage of burlap is its superior permeability to water and air compared to many synthetic fabrics. Burlap’s loose, woven structure ensures excellent water penetration, maintaining healthy soil moisture levels and aeration for root systems. Some lower-quality synthetic fabrics can restrict water flow, leading to runoff or saturated conditions if the material is too dense. The high permeability of burlap supports soil biology by allowing for free gas exchange, promoting a healthier environment for beneficial microorganisms and earthworms.
Burlap is superior in applications where soil health is a priority, such as sheet mulching or establishing new garden beds. Synthetic fabric is necessary for long-term projects like under gravel patios or permanent shrub beds where the goal is to prevent soil mixing and maintain a barrier for many years.
Installing Burlap as a Landscape Barrier
The successful installation of burlap as a temporary landscape barrier begins with thorough ground preparation. The area must be cleared of existing perennial weeds and debris, ensuring the surface is as flat and smooth as possible. It is important to select untreated burlap, typically made from natural jute, to ensure complete and healthy decomposition into the soil.
When laying the material, the sections of burlap must be overlapped substantially to prevent weeds from finding gaps between sheets. A minimum overlap of six to twelve inches at all seams is necessary because burlap can shift and shrink slightly after being laid and watered. Use heavy-duty, six-inch landscape pins or staples to secure the material firmly to the ground, pulling the fabric taut before anchoring it.
The final and most important step is immediately covering the burlap with a layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or straw. This covering is essential because direct exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation accelerates the breakdown of the natural fibers. The mulch layer protects the burlap, maintains a neater appearance, and adds another layer of weed suppression, maximizing the functional life of the burlap barrier.