8 MIN 02 Apr

Last update: 02 Apr 2025

How to Use Landscape Fabric Properly

If weeds or erosion in your garden are troubling you, landscape fabric might be the solution. We’ll explain how and when to use it properly, just keep on reading.

MOOWY's Choice

Garden tools

In stock

Weed Barrier Fabric

Effective weed control | Water-permeable & breathable | Includes sturdy ground pegs

From: 8.99

In stock

View

Choose your variation

Weed Barrier Fabric

In stock

8.99

Order by 2PM = shipped today
250.000+ satisfied customers!
60 day satisfaction guarantee

Did you know that quality landscape fabric can last up to 20 years? That’s two decades of effective weed control for your garden. All you need to do is pick the right type of fabric and install it properly. It works brilliantly under rocks and gravel, though it’s less effective under organic mulch where decomposition can create new soil layers.

Table of contents:

Show all

Types of landscape fabric
How much fabric do you need?
Tools for laying weed control fabric
Step-by-step guide to laying weed membrane
FAQ about landscape fabric
Ready to use landscape fabric?

Whether you’re planning to tackle a new garden project or struggling with your current weed barrier, this guide will show you exactly how to make the most of your landscape fabric.

Types of landscape fabric

Not all landscape fabrics offer the same performance. The right choice depends entirely on your specific gardening needs and project requirements. Is there a specific type of weed bothering you, or is erosion the real issue? Take a moment to assess your needs, so you can select the appropriate option.

1. Woven landscape fabric

Woven landscape fabric consists of polypropylene tapes or strips woven in a crisscross pattern. This construction method creates exceptional strength, making it highly resistant to tearing. At the same time, woven fabrics allow water, air, and nutrients to pass through small holes, but prevent weeds from accessing sunlight.

2. Non-woven landscape fabric

Non-woven landscape fabric is manufactured by thermally bonding polypropylene or polyester fibres and often finished with needle punching to create some permeability. Despite having lower tensile strength than woven alternatives—which means they may break easier—non-woven fabrics excel in drainage capabilities.

3. Spun landscape fabric.

Spun fabric consists of bonded polyester layers, creating an extremely durable material that’s highly resistant to tearing. Available in varying thicknesses, spun fabrics offer versatility for multiple applications. Thinner versions remain permeable for water and air whilst providing effective weed control. Thicker varieties are so robust they’re suitable for irrigation, drainage, and retaining wall applications.

4. Perforated landscape fabric.

Perforated landscape fabric features pre-cut holes designed to accommodate plants whilst still preventing unwanted weed growth. This lightweight option works particularly well in vegetable gardens or flower beds where plants are changed frequently. The perforations ensure roots aren’t suffocated whilst maintaining effective weed suppression.

Landscape fabric comparison table

Feature	Woven	Non-Woven	Spun	Perforated
Material	Typically, linen or polypropylene	Polyester or polypropylene	Long polyester fibres bonded with compression or heat	Varies
Permeability	High	Low to moderate	Varies (thin is more permeable)	High
Durability	High (tough to puncture and tear)	Moderate to high	High (especially thick versions)	Low to moderate
Best Uses	Around trees, shrubs, and established flower beds	Under rock mulches and pathways	Flower beds (thin), garden borders, behind retaining walls (thick)	Vegetable gardens and frequently changed flower beds
Water/Nutrient Flow	Allows water, nutrients, and air to access soil	Limited water movement	Varies based on thickness	Allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to seep into the soil
Weed Control	Effective	Very effective	Effective	Effective
Ease of Planting	Difficult to cut for new plantings	Difficult to cut for new plantings	Varies (thin is easier to cut)	Easy to cut or comes with pre-cut holes
Longevity	Long-lasting	Long-lasting	Long-lasting (especially thick versions)	Shorter lifespan compared to others
Soil Erosion Control	Good	Excellent	Excellent (especially thick versions)	Moderate
Suitability for High Traffic Areas	Good	Excellent	Excellent (thick versions)	Poor

Feature

Material

Woven

Typically, linen or polypropylene

Non-Woven

Polyester or polypropylene

Spun

Long polyester fibres bonded with compression or heat

Perforated

Varies

Feature

Permeability

Woven

High

Non-Woven

Low to moderate

Spun

Varies (thin is more permeable)

Perforated

High

Feature

Durability

Woven

High (tough to puncture and tear)

Non-Woven

Moderate to high

Spun

High (especially thick versions)

Perforated

Low to moderate

Feature

Best Uses

Woven

Around trees, shrubs, and established flower beds

Non-Woven

Under rock mulches and pathways

Spun

Flower beds (thin), garden borders, behind retaining walls (thick)

Perforated

Vegetable gardens and frequently changed flower beds

Feature

Water/Nutrient Flow

Woven

Allows water, nutrients, and air to access soil

Non-Woven

Limited water movement

Spun

Varies based on thickness

Perforated

Allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to seep into the soil

Feature

Weed Control

Woven

Effective

Non-Woven

Very effective

Spun

Effective

Perforated

Effective

Feature

Ease of Planting

Woven

Difficult to cut for new plantings

Non-Woven

Difficult to cut for new plantings

Spun

Varies (thin is easier to cut)

Perforated

Easy to cut or comes with pre-cut holes

Feature

Longevity

Woven

Long-lasting

Non-Woven

Long-lasting

Spun

Long-lasting (especially thick versions)

Perforated

Shorter lifespan compared to others

Feature

Soil Erosion Control

Woven

Good

Non-Woven

Excellent

Spun

Excellent (especially thick versions)

Perforated

Moderate

Feature

Suitability for High Traffic Areas

Woven

Good

Non-Woven

Excellent

Spun

Excellent (thick versions)

Perforated

Poor

Which fabric works best for your project

Selecting the appropriate landscape fabric depends primarily on your specific application:

For gravel pathways or decorative stone areas: Choose non-woven fabric for its stabilisation properties that prevent stones from sinking into soil. The fabric’s density creates excellent separation whilst blocking weed growth.
Around trees and shrubs: Woven landscape fabric is ideal as it permits water and nutrients to reach plant roots whilst suppressing weeds. Additionally, woven fabrics help conserve soil moisture by reducing evaporation.
For vegetable gardens: Perforated landscape fabric works best, especially when growing crops like courgettes, lettuce, marrows, cabbage, and strawberries.
Under patios or driveways: Heavy-duty woven geotextiles offer superior tear resistance and stabilisation properties, making them perfect for areas subjected to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
For French drains or drainage applications: Non-woven geotextiles excel at filtration and water flow, making them the natural choice for drainage systems.

How much fabric do you need?

To calculate how much weed control fabric you require, first measure the area you want to cover. If the area is irregular, you can break it into shapes like rectangles and triangles to calculate the square footage more easily.

For rectangles: Multiply length by width. For triangles: Multiply base by height, then divide by 2. Afterwards, add up the square footage of all areas.

Then add 10–15% to your total square footage for overlap between strips and to account for edges.

Weed control fabric typically comes in rolls of 3, 4, or 6 feet wide. Choose a width that minimizes waste and reduces the number of seams.

Divide your total square footage (including extra) by the width of the fabric roll. This gives you the length of fabric you need to purchase.

Ideal for patios, pathways, and flower beds

Weed Barrier Fabric

Blocks weed growth
Allows water and nutrients to pass through
UV- and weather-resistant for long-lasting weed control

View product

In stock

Tools for laying weed control fabric

After you selected the right type of fabric and ordered the correct amount, make sure you have everything you need to lay weed control fabric. Proper equipment makes the job easier and ensures the weed barrier performs effectively for years to come. You’ll need:

Pins and staples to secure the fabric
Sharp scissors for cutting the fabric
Pruning knife with a curved blade for creating planting holes
Tape measure to determine exact dimensions for your fabric
Marker to indicate cutting lines
Measuring jug for applications requiring herbicides before installation

Tip

The cutting process works best when you first measure the area thoroughly, mark your dimensions on the fabric, and then cut on a flat, sturdy surface. Laying the fabric out section by section prevents tangles and ensures accuracy.

Optional accessories

Rubber mallet or hammer proves valuable for driving pins securely into the ground without damaging them.
Garden rake and hoe are useful to remove stones and to create a smooth surface before laying the fabric.
Consider adding edging materials to your toolkit to create clean boundaries for your landscaped areas.

Step-by-step guide to laying weed membrane

Are all the tools at the ready? Then let’s get started laying landscape fabric.

Start with wedding
Remove all existing vegetation completely—including roots—using a garden hoe, shovel, or appropriate garden tools. For stubborn areas, consider applying herbicide 2–3 weeks before installation.
Proper ground preparation
Next, rake the area using a garden rake to create a smooth, level surface. Remove all debris, including:
– Twigs, stones, and sharp objects that could damage the fabric
– Existing plant material and loose roots
– Any large rocks or uneven soil clumps
Levelling the surface
Create a level surface by filling depressions and removing high spots. For areas adjacent to paths or patios, form a small gutter at the edges to contain any loose covering material that might shift over time.
Cutting the fabric
When cutting landscape fabric lay it flats on a sturdy surface and paint your measurements with a permanent marker. Cut with sharp scissors rather than a knife for more accurate results.
Make sure to leave 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) of spare overlap space on all sides
Place the fabric on the soil
Remember to position the fabric with the rough, textured side facing downward to help it adhere to the soil surface.
Securing the edges and overlaps
Proper securing prevents fabric displacement and weed breakthrough at vulnerable points. When joining sections, overlap adjoining pieces by at least 100 mm, though this can be reduced to 50 mm if using specialist adhesive to join them.
Pin the fabric down
Secure the fabric using landscape pins. Place pins every 30 cm along all edges. The harder the soil, the further away may place the pins. Install additional pins at every overlap joint.
Consider folding excess material underneath rather than cutting it off to prevent fraying at the edges.
Working around existing plants
When installing around established plants, make a straight cut from the nearest edge toward the plant location. Cut a hole appropriate to the plant’s trunk size—neither too tight (which restricts growth) nor too loose (which allows weed penetration). Slide the fabric around the trunk and secure with pins.
For shrubs, create an X-shaped incision directly above the plant, making it just large enough for the trunk. Pull the plant through the opening and secure all four flaps with pins.

Tip

Never let the fabric rest against the trunk or root flare, as this can damage plants and create weak points for weed growth.

FAQ about landscape fabric

What’s the best method for cutting landscape fabric?

Use sharp scissors for precise cuts, or consider using a small propane torch to cauterise the edges, preventing fraying. When cutting around plants, make an X-shaped incision slightly larger than the plant’s stem.

Should landscape fabric be placed above or below soil?

Landscape fabric should be placed directly on top of the prepared soil surface, with the rough side facing down. It acts as a barrier between the soil and any mulch, gravel, or other materials you plan to add on top.

How long does landscape fabric typically last?

High-quality landscape fabric can last between 5–15 years with proper maintenance. Professional-grade materials may even last up to 25 years. However, cheaper varieties might need replacement every 2–3 years. Regular inspections and prompt repairs can significantly extend its lifespan.

Ready to use landscape fabric?

Landscape fabric stands as a powerful ally in your garden maintenance arsenal, provided you select the right type and install it properly.

Success with landscape fabric depends largely on proper ground preparation, accurate measurements, and secure installation. Therefore, taking time to gather appropriate tools and following the correct installation steps pays dividends through years of effective weed control.

Fore more tactics agains weeds, check out our articles on different types of weed and tactics to combat weed. Did you know you know that actually quite a lot of weeds are edible? Or are you more interested in eating vegetables from your garden? In case you have questions or tips for us, please leave a comment.

Happy gardening!

Louis Hooft

Founder & Lawn expert

Introducing Louis Hooft, the founder of MOOWY and your reliable expert. With a profound love for stunning lawns and extensive experience in garden maintenance, Louis is here to assist garden enthusiasts in achieving a greener and livelier outdoors than ever before. Count on Louis for invaluable tips, clever tricks, and top-notch products to make your garden flourish!

back

SURVEY

Find the best match for your needs in no time!

Answer 2 questions and we provide you with the best product.

SURVEY

We help you to choose your best product

Question 1/2

Loading your result…

What is your lawn care goal?
1. A. Greener grass
2. B. A more lush, dense lawn
3. C. Bald spot repair
4. D. Lawn restoration
5. E. Laying out a new lawn
6. F. Combating moss
For which season?
1. A. Spring
2. B. Summer
3. C. Autumn
4. D. Winter
Describe your lawn:
1. A. My lawn has shaded areas
2. B. My lawn is used intensively (e.g. by children & pets)
3. C. I have a decorative lawn
4. D. I have a standard lawn without special features
How many bald spots do you have?
1. A. A lot, my lawn looks like a barren wasteland
2. B. A few bald spots here and there
Describe your lawn restoration goal:
1. A. I want to completely renovate my lawn
2. B. I want to overseed my existing lawn
Describe your lawn:
1. A. My lawn is shaded
2. B. My lawn will be used intensively (e.g. by children & pets)
3. C. I would like to have a decorative lawn
4. D. I would like to have a thick and strong lawn
How bad is the moss problem in your garden?
1. A. Bad. My lawn is covered in moss.
2. B. Just a few spots