Landscape fabric is a porous, synthetic textile material used by gardeners and landscapers as an underlayer in various outdoor applications. It functions primarily as a barrier, laid directly over the soil surface beneath decorative coverings like mulch or gravel. The material is engineered to remain permeable, allowing the passage of water, air, and nutrients to the underlying soil while acting as a physical separator.
Composition and Types
Landscape fabric is typically manufactured from synthetic polymers, most commonly polypropylene or polyester fibers, which provide the necessary durability for outdoor use. The material’s structure defines its classification, falling mainly into two categories: woven and non-woven. Woven fabric is created by tightly interlocking strands into a grid pattern, giving it high tensile strength and making it more tear-resistant for areas with heavy foot traffic or under hardscaping.
Non-woven fabric is made by bonding synthetic fibers together using heat or chemical processes, resulting in a product that feels softer and more like felt. This type offers superior water permeability and flexibility, making it suitable for applications where drainage is a significant concern. The fabric’s weight, categorized as light, medium, or heavy-duty, correlates with its thickness and longevity. Heavier grades are designed for more permanent installations requiring greater suppression capabilities.
Primary Applications
The main reason for installing landscape fabric is to function as a weed barrier, which it achieves by blocking the sunlight needed for weed seeds to germinate. By suppressing light, the fabric effectively starves emerging plants. Its permeable design allows essential moisture and air exchange to continue reaching the roots of desirable plants beneath a layer of mulch.
The second primary function of the fabric is as a physical separator and soil stabilizer, particularly in non-planting areas like pathways and driveways. When placed beneath layers of aggregate, such as gravel or crushed stone, the fabric prevents the material from migrating downward and mixing with the underlying soil. This separation maintains the integrity of the surface layer and prevents the soil from pumping up and turning the aggregate into mud, offering stability and reinforcement for areas under load.
Long-Term Limitations
Despite its intended benefits, landscape fabric often develops long-term issues that can compromise the health of the underlying soil and plants. One common failure is the reduction of permeability, where the fabric becomes clogged over time as fine soil particles and organic debris settle onto its surface. This clogging impedes the downward flow of water and air, leading to pooling on the surface or soil compaction beneath the barrier.
Weeds frequently begin to grow directly on top of the fabric, rooting into the layer of organic debris and accumulated dust that settles over the surface. As weeds establish themselves, their roots often become intertwined with the synthetic fibers, making manual removal far more difficult. Years later, the fabric itself can be problematic; sun exposure and environmental factors cause the synthetic material to degrade. This degradation leads to tearing into fragments, making it challenging and labor-intensive to remove from the landscape.