Landscape Fabric Pros & Cons Finding an Alternative thru Sheet Mulching for Weed Control

Should you use landscape fabric? What causes it to fail? Are there any alternatives to a synthetic weed barrier? What should be considered as a long term solution?

Landscape or weed fabrics create an impassible barrier that stops the upwards growth of plants from underneath. For this barrier to work properly though, an application of mulch is needed. As a short term solution for reclaiming a weedy bed, the fabric can help you out.

DISADVANTAGES OF LANDSCAPE FABRIC:

Synthetic weed barriers can accomplish a task, but they are no silver bullet. Wood based mulches are biodegradable, so they slowly break down, forming a layer of soil. That upper layer can be a perfect rooting medium for fresh weed seeds. Before long, you may start to see that your beds are just as weedy as they were before.

All the while the microbial processes that rejuvenate your soil are being hindered by this synthetic, barrier. Earthworms and various arthropods cannot freely pass from below the soil up to the surface.

Your perennial plants become girdled as they grow wider and wider. Clumping and rhizomatous plants get trapped underneath. And creeping or layering plants cannot properly root as they get entangled in the fabric.

A BIODEGRADABLE ALTERNATIVE:

A free, biodegradable alternative is simple old cardboard. This idea is a form of sheet mulching. In permaculture, sheet mulching can be done to reclaim an area of land that might have been weedy or even covered with grass.

Cardboard is applied. Then a layer of mulch. In creating a highly fertile site, a gardener may put several layers of materials. Leaves, compost, grass clippings, straw, etc. But in more conventional landscape applications, it would certainly work to just put a wood based mulch.

Weeds or grasses will be unable to pass up through the cardboard. With the inclusion of mulch you smother these unwanted plants, making way for new plantings. Over time, that cardboard is eaten by earthworms and won't interfere with biological processes.

LONG TERM STRATEGY:

Do you want to reduce mulching requirements? How can you keep out weeds? Nature abhors a vacuum. So your final landscape or garden should be designed in a way that fills those large empty spaces.

Plan out multiple layers of trees, bushes, shrubs and herbal plants. Allowing these to fill in your beds, choking out any weeds that make their way into your property. To cover large areas of ground, without relying on grass, consider using ground covers.

Complete Article:

#SustainableLandscaping #SaveTheWorms #NoHerbicides #WeedFree #OrganicGardening

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[tierney]

I really appreciate you taking a non-glyphosate approach. My daughter has leukemia, she was diagnosed at age 4. I don’t usually comment but I wanted to thank you for other options to this cancer-causing chemical!

[c.arnold]

If you don't have enough cardboard for this, I've used the relatively inexpensive rolls of brown paper from the paint department at Lowes for this, and it works great. It's not as thick of a layer as cardboard, but it still works really well. It's also really easy to cut to whatever shape you need.

[BlueEyedDemonWoman]

Started using cardboard 3 years ago...best decision ever! My sister owns a liquor store so getting boxes is no problem! Landscape looks great and am now using my extra time expanding my garden. .

[O_U_No_It_]

I appreciate how your use of subtle verbage to instruct all while describing your reasoning intellectually.
Saying phrases like "consider this" vs. "do this"
It's a very calming effect contrary to being preached at

[bzh]

I’m glad I found this. This will be much easier for me. I like to research my projects extensively. It always pays off. Thanks.

[Ddrhl]

Lots of good info presented in a way I can actually remember. Thanks!

[blackericdenice]

Whenever my boys are bad. I make them go out and pull up weeds. It’s a damn good way to burn up that extra energy.

[carriebishop]

This video is great. Finally a video that makes perfect sense and doesn't candy code everything. Thank you for that.

[GrandpaCanCook]

Great video. I was never much of a gardener and really could use all the tips I can get. I really liked the ideas you presented here. I love the factor of working with and using nature rather than overpowering it.
Thank you

[rachelbird]

Hello from the UK!! I have used this technique last spring to create a new flower border and it works brilliantly. The cardboard is no longer visible and the border has had hardly any weeds for a year. Your video explains it so perfectly!! Like the planting too, very subtle !!

[kiriaioulia]

If you belong to Costco or Sams Club, you can get those large sheets of cardboard that they put between stacks of products FOR I've been grabbing them for years for crafting, but now I'm going to use them in my THANK

[keithryan]

That creeping Thyme looks gorgeous . You have inspired me to buy one . Also, cardboard boxes is a top idea for a mulch underlay . I've been using newspapers but now I'll use both . Good on you .

[melindamills]

Very sensible commentary and video. I like, especially, that spraying herbicide is not the solution.

[dritanbega]

I don't know, if you know, ...but you are a great teacher too.
Great info brother, thank you.

[saharal-haddad]

This is absolutely the best video breaking down pro and cons of landscape fabric and providing brilliant alternatives. I’m definitely subscribing to this channel! Thanks for the good info!

[fishcakefi]

Even 4 years ago, it's still beneficial to me and everyone. Save my time and money, was planning to buy the fabric, and now i change my mind. Gotta find lots of boxes! Thanks again sir.. Sub and like your videos instantly.. 👍🏻

[Albopepper]

This cardboard technique has made my life much easier. Read the full article:

[ssskurvy]

This worked so well in my own yard my whole family have asked for me to show them how

[nmssis]

Update. Been using this cardboard method for two seasons...Absolutely wonderful. It works brilliantly. Thanks again!

[justlooking]

idea! I LOVE the look of flowers and grass bunched together and it NEVER occurred to me to use that design and other ground covers to “weed out” the weeds! 🙌 Thanks for the great video!!