Landscape staples are U-shaped metal pins designed to anchor various materials securely to the ground. They prevent materials like landscape fabric, irrigation lines, and edging from shifting due to wind, water runoff, or ground tension. Determining the exact number of staples necessary for a project requires applying specific calculation methods. Calculating the correct quantity prevents material failure due to insufficient anchoring and avoids unnecessary waste and project cost overruns. The required number of staples changes depending on whether the application involves securing broad area coverage or long, narrow linear materials.
Calculating Staples for Area Coverage (Weed Barrier)
The primary application for landscape staples is securing weed barrier fabric or similar ground covers across a large area. Securing the perimeter of the fabric is the most important step, typically requiring a staple every 12 inches along the entire edge. This close spacing ensures the fabric edge remains flush with the ground, preventing weeds from growing underneath and stopping the material from lifting.
Once the perimeter is secured, the interior body of the fabric requires fewer staples to prevent ballooning and shifting. Standard practice suggests placing interior staples in a grid pattern with approximately three to five feet between each staple. For a small rectangular area, such as a 10 by 10-foot section, the perimeter would require 40 staples, assuming a one-foot spacing along all four sides.
If this 100 square foot area is covered with a single piece of fabric, the interior might only require four additional staples placed roughly in the center at three-foot intervals. However, projects often require overlapping pieces of fabric to cover the total area, creating seams that must be secured.
Seams, where two pieces of fabric overlap, present a weak point that requires denser staking to maintain integrity. Along these overlapped sections, the spacing should be tightened, often requiring staples every six inches. If the 10 by 10-foot area required a 10-foot seam down the middle, that seam length would require 20 staples at a six-inch spacing.
A comprehensive calculation for this example sums the 40 perimeter staples, the four interior staples, and the 20 seam staples, totaling 64 staples for the 100 square feet. This detailed approach ensures every vulnerable point is adequately anchored against environmental forces.
Determining Staples for Linear Applications (Hoses and Edging)
Securing materials that are long and narrow requires a calculation method focused on linear footage. Drip and soaker hoses, being flexible tubing, are typically secured with staples spaced three to five feet apart on straight runs. This spacing is sufficient to keep the tubing in place and prevent it from moving as it expands and contracts with temperature changes.
When the tubing navigates a curve, bend, or sharp turn, the spacing must be reduced to manage the tension in the material. At these points, the staples should be placed closer together, often every 12 inches, to firmly hold the hose’s new direction. This tighter staking prevents the hose from straightening itself out and displacing surrounding mulch or soil.
Landscape edging, whether plastic or metal, is less flexible than tubing and generally requires a wider spacing of three to four feet between staples. The rigidity of the edging helps it maintain its shape over longer spans. The beginning and end of each section, as well as any connection point between two pieces of edging, should be secured with two staples placed closely together.
To determine the number of staples for a linear application, the total length of the material is divided by the recommended spacing. For example, a 50-foot soaker hose that runs mostly straight and requires a staple every four feet would need 13 staples. Any specific bends or connection points would then be added to this base calculation.
Adjusting Quantity Based on Environmental Factors
The standard spacing recommendations for both area and linear coverage must be modified based on the environmental conditions of the project site. The composition of the soil is a primary factor influencing staple holding power and may require increased density. Loose, sandy, or highly organic soils provide less friction and grip.
In these less compacted soil types, staples need to be placed closer together, often requiring the standard spacing to be reduced by six to twelve inches to achieve adequate anchorage. Conversely, dense clay or highly compacted soils offer greater resistance, and the calculated standard spacing is sufficient to hold the materials in place.
Steeply sloped areas and locations that experience frequent, high wind also necessitate a denser application of staples. On a slope, gravity applies a constant downward force on the fabric or tubing, requiring additional anchoring to prevent slippage. In high-wind zones, closer spacing is necessary to prevent the material from lifting.
The physical dimensions of the staple itself also influence the required quantity. Shorter staples, such as the four-inch variety, provide less depth for friction and may require a higher overall count to achieve the same level of security as a longer six-inch or eight-inch staple. Choosing a longer staple for softer ground can allow for slightly wider spacing compared to using a shorter one.