Landscape fabric is a permeable material, usually made from synthetic fibers like polypropylene or polyester, designed for gardening and hardscaping projects. This textile comes in rolls and is engineered as a physical barrier placed directly over soil. Its primary functions are to serve as a separator between different materials and to act as a barrier against unwanted growth, ultimately reducing landscape maintenance. Unlike solid plastic sheeting, the fabric allows air and water to pass through, making it a versatile tool.
Blocking Weed Growth
The most common application for landscape fabric is to suppress weed growth in garden beds and landscaped areas. The fabric works primarily by preventing sunlight from reaching weed seeds in the soil. Blocking the light inhibits germination and subsequent growth. This method reduces the need for chemical herbicides and significantly cuts down on manual weeding time.
Proper installation requires removing all existing weeds and vegetation before laying the fabric down. The edges of the fabric sheets must be overlapped by several inches to prevent weeds from growing through the seams. When planting desirable flora, X-shaped cuts are made into the fabric, allowing the plant to grow while keeping the surrounding soil covered. After installation, the fabric must be covered with a layer of mulch or gravel to protect the material from degradation caused by ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
Separating Soil and Aggregates
Landscape fabric is widely used in construction and hardscaping to provide structural stability and long-term material separation. When installing features like gravel pathways, patios, or driveways, the fabric is placed beneath the aggregate layer. This barrier prevents the underlying subgrade soil from migrating upward and mixing with the stone, gravel, or sand placed on top. Without this layer, aggregates would eventually sink, leading to surface contamination, shifting, and unevenness in the hardscape.
The material is also used in drainage applications, such as lining a French drain or trench. The fabric acts as a filter cloth, surrounding the perforated pipe and gravel to prevent fine silt and soil particles from clogging the drainage system. By keeping the gravel clean, the fabric ensures water passes through freely and the drain remains effective for a longer period.
Supporting Water and Nutrient Management
Landscape fabric plays a role in regulating the immediate environment of plant roots. The fabric covers the soil surface, acting as a barrier to reduce the rate of surface evaporation. This helps the soil retain more moisture, allowing plants to stay hydrated longer and promoting water conservation. Retaining soil moisture is beneficial in dry climates or during drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
The fabric also helps stabilize soil temperature, protecting the roots from extreme thermal fluctuations. By insulating the soil, the fabric helps keep the root zone cooler during intense summer heat and warmer during colder winter months. The material must be permeable, allowing water, air, and liquid fertilizers to pass through the fibers to reach the plant roots beneath. This permeability prevents water from pooling on the surface and ensures the soil biome remains active and aerated.
Choosing the Right Fabric for the Job
Selecting the appropriate landscape fabric depends on the intended function.
Woven Fabrics
Woven fabrics, made from interlaced polypropylene strips, offer high durability and strength, making them well-suited for stabilization beneath hardscaping like gravel paths and driveways. They are permeable, allowing water to pass through, and are a good choice for long-term applications around trees and shrubs.
Non-Woven Fabrics
Non-woven fabrics have a felt-like texture from bonded fibers. They are often thicker and provide excellent separation and maximum weed suppression in areas where water permeability is less of a concern, such as under decorative rock mulch.
Perforated and Spun-Bonded Fabrics
Perforated or spun-bonded fabrics are lightweight and designed with a breathable structure. These types are best suited for annual garden beds or vegetable gardens where plants are changed often and soil aeration is a priority. For heavy-duty structural separation and reinforcement, a professional-grade woven geotextile fabric should be selected for its high tensile strength. For simple weed control and moisture retention in a flower bed, a breathable, lighter-weight woven or spun fabric is a more effective choice.