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Landscape Fabric

How to Install Landscape Fabric?

It is quite easy to install landscape fabric. All you need to do is follow a simple 9-step process. it requires you to measure the area, remove weeds, add soil amendments, level the soil surface, lay the landscape fabric, secure it, plant your flowers or shrubs, add mulch and maintain your garden bed

From selecting the right seasonal plants to installing an outdoor kitchen, our landscaping services can do it all for you. Contact us today for a stunning landscape!

Landscape fabric has become extremely common today. It is one of the most popular methods of weed control for professional landscapers, such as Eden and homeowners alike. Most landscape fabric is made from a porous woven material that helps to smother weed growth but allows water to reach the plant roots. Some believe that the fabric ends up damaging the soil but most find it effective to keep flower and garden beds weed-free, if installed correctly. 

Buy the Best Landscape Fabric

There are several brands and types of landscape fabrics available in the market today. If you want your landscape fabric to last, then make sure to choose a professional-grade fabric. The heavier and thicker the fabric is, the harder it is to get damaged

Thin, cheap landscaping fabric tends to tear easily, which creates opening for weeds and renders the fabric useless. Hence, it is recommended to buy landscape fabric from reliable and renowned brands, such as FLARMOR, DeWitt or HOOPLE. You can enquire at your local garden supply store or home improvement store for the best landscape fabric in stock. 

Tools and Supplies needed to Install Landscape Fabric

Once you have selected the best-quality landscape fabric, you will need to prepare for this DIY project. These are the tools and materials you will need to install landscape fabric in your garden:

  • Garden hoe
  • Tape measure
  • Bow rake
  • Rubber mallet/hammer
  • Utility knife/scissors
  • Landscape staples
  • Plants mulch 

Stepwise Instructions to Install Landscape Fabric

Here are the simple steps to follow for successfully installing landscape fabric in your garden:

1. Measure the area: The first step to install landscape fabric is to measure the garden bed where you want to install the fabric. Use the tape measure to do this. Once you measure the area, you will know how much landscape staples you will need for the DIY project. 

2. Remove weeds: Use your garden hoe to dig up any existing weeds from the proposed garden plot before covering the area with the landscape fabric. Make sure to remove all weeds from the roots for best results. On the other hand, you can also spray the area with herbicide to kill any existing weeds from the area. Make sure to apply the herbicide a few days before laying the landscape fabric. 

3. Add soil amendments: You will need to add compost, manure, fertilizer, plant food and similar soil amendments before laying the landscape fabric because it will prevent you to do so later. Make sure to do this while you can still access the soil.

4. Level the soil surface: Using your bow rake, you will need to remove all uprooted weeds, leaves, twigs and other debris that could potentially tear the landscape fabric. Then, you will need to rake over the soil gently and make it level and smooth

5. Lay the landscape fabric: Once the soil is leveled, you will need to carefully roll out the landscape fabric across the entire area you have measured. Use the utility scissors or knife to cut off excess fabric, if any. However, make sure to leave a few inches around the edge. If you require using more than one sheet of landscape fabric, make sure that the sections overlap each other by at least 6 to 12 inches. If you fail to overlap the two sheets properly, it could give space for weeds to grow in. Besides this, make sure to read the instructions on the landscape fabric to find out the side that faces down in the dirt. Usually, landscape fabrics are installed with the fuzzy side down. 

6. Secure the landscape fabric: Use the landscape staples to stretch and hold the fabric down firmly. Tamp down the staples properly into the soil using the rubber hammer or mallet. Do not avoid using landscape staples if you want your weed barrier to stay stable for long. Make sure to put in a staple every 8 to 12 inches along the edges of the fabric and ensure to overlap any seams and edges where two separate sections of the landscape fabric meet. 

7. Plant the flowers/shrubs: Next, you will need to cut an ‘X’ shaped incision wherever you want to plant the new flower or shrub, using your utility knife or scissors. Make sure that the cut is large enough to dig a hole for the plant’s root ball. Carefully pull back the triangular flaps of the fabric around the incision to dig your hole and insert the plant. Then fill the hole with soil before packing it around the roots to prevent air pockets. Once you have finished planting, you will need to secure the fabric flaps tightly around the base of the plant. Make sure not to leave any seams or gaps through which weeds can grow. 

8. Add mulch: After putting the plant, you will need to add around 2 to 3 inches of mulch layer on top of the fabric itself. The mulch will not only make your landscape look neat but will also help to stabilize the fabric and protect the plants from harmful UV rays. Mulch also helps the soil below the retain moisture for a longer time. Once the landscape fabric is in place, you can use any organic or inorganic mulch you want, including bark, wood chips, rubber, river rocks or gravel. 

9. Maintain the garden bed: Putting in landscaping fabric does not mean the end of weeds. Weed seeds can still germinate atop the fabric, on the decomposed organic mulch or blown-in dirt. The prevent this you should apply a pre-emergent weed control product to the mulch before spreading it over the landscape fabric. Make sure to do this at the beginning of every growing season. If you are using organic mulch, it breaks down over time and needs to be removed and replaced. If you leave decomposed organic material over the fabric, then weeds can begin to grow. On the other hand, if you use inorganic mulch, you will only need to remove it and spray it with water if you notice debris or dirt collecting on it. 

Conclusion

With these 9 simple steps you can successfully install landscape fabric over a new flower or garden bed. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully to ensure optimal success. However, it is still recommended to hire professional landscapers, such as Eden, to install landscape fabric in the best way possible.

From selecting the right seasonal plants to installing an outdoor kitchen, our landscaping services can do it all for you. Contact us today for a stunning landscape!