It’s a fact that many of the weeds growing in your yard sprouted from seeds already in the soil before you even planted. Each time your work the soil, some seeds are carried to the surface and get the light and moisture they need to germinate.
Install a porous weed-barrier fabric beneath your groundcovers to block light and prevent unwanted weeds.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/Image Point
If you’re the type of gardener who abhors weeding (and most are), consider laying down one of the effective, low-cost weed-barrier mats or landscape fabrics before you install any groundcover or flower bed. If placed properly, these fabrics can help prevent weed growth for a number of years – and your knees and back will thank you each spring when weed seeds would otherwise germinate.
Landscape fabrics are typically either woven, nonwoven or spun-bonded synthetics that act as a barrier to germinating weeds. In the past, the same job was often done with solid plastic, which kept weeds down but also prevented water and fertilizers from getting to plant roots. In extremely wet weather, this plastic could keep too much moisture in the soil at root level, promoting fungal disease. But today’s landscape fabrics (which you can find in any garden center) are designed to breathe, allowing water and air to penetrate, while blocking the ability of weeds to grow. When it comes to selecting weed barriers, look for those with the smallest pore size. (You can determine this by simply holding up the fabric to the light.)
Before installing landscape fabric, clear your planting area of any weeds. Then prepare your soil as you would for any planting. To install the weed barrier, just follow these easy step-by-step photos and captions.
Once your landscape fabric is down, carefully work the rootball of each plant plug through the X-shaped cut and into the soil below. Tamp down gently with your fingers to firm the plug in the soil. Bring the landscape fabric as tightly around the groundcover or plant as possible, then immediately water the bed to get everything off to a good start.
Cover your weed barrier and planting mix with an inch of organic mulch (like shredded bark) to camouflage the fabric, hold in moisture and further discourage weed growth by denying the weed seeds the light necessary for them to germinate. All that’s left is to wait for your beds to fill in so you can spend your time enjoying – not weeding – them.
Installing Weed Barrier - Step 1
To prepare the soil below the fabric, incorporate lots of organic compost and rake the bed smooth and level. Then sprinkle the entire area with a balanced fertilizer according to the package’s recommended application rate.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/Image Point
Installing Weed Barrier - Step 2
Lay down the weed-barrier fabric, overlapping each course 6-8 inches. Weight it with stones during installation, then fasten it to the soil with galvanized wire or plastic stakes.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/Image Point
Installing Weed Barrier - Step 3
Spread a 1- to 2-inch-thick layer of planting mix over the weed barrier, and rake it to an even covering.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/Image Point
Installing Weed Barrier - Step 4
With your hands, dig down to the weed barrier, then cut X-shaped holes wherever you’d like to place your plants. Plant your groundcovers or other plants through the holes, then press the soil around their roots until it’s firm. Water well.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/Image Point
