In the eyes of the avid gardener, gardening fabric has to be one of the greatest inventions in the world. This wonderful black mesh makes life easier for those who like their gardens neat and weed free. Although nothing in life is guaranteed, landscape fabric will help your garden to look its best.
Benefits of Using Garden Fabric
There are many benefits gained from using gardening fabric. First and foremost is that it prevents weed growth. We all know unsightly weeds growing within our carefully designed gardens, diminishes the integrity of our plantings. Weeds can also harm and choke out the plants we are trying to grow.
Gardeners who decide to forego the use of landscape fabric will be back on their knees pulling weeds weekly. We all know the wear and tear that our knees and back go through tending the garden. This is easily prevented with fabric.
This fabric also keeps mulch and stone from sinking into the ground. We all spend a lot of money on mulch for our gardens. After a month, the mulch can seem to be non-existent. Fabric will help stop the soil from enveloping the mulch or stones and help prevent erosion.
How To Prepare Garden Space For Garden Fabric
Preparing your garden space for the placement of landscape fabric is not difficult. Using a hoe, loosen the root system of any weeds. It is important to uproot as many as possible to prevent them from trying to regrow. Once the weeds have been lifted, carefully rake the weeds out of the area. Be sure to remove any rocks or sharp objects from the space to prevent the fabric from being torn. Rake the soil until it is smooth and flat. The garden is now ready for the placement of the fabric.
Planting In Garden Fabric
Once you have installed the garden fabric into your area, it is time to start planting. Evaluate the size of the trunk and root ball before you do anything. Once you have determined the true size, cut an X into the mesh where you wish to plant the specimen. Gently pull the newly created flaps away from the area. Do your best not to tear it. It is best to have small cuts. Dig the hole and plant as usual. Once the plant has been installed in the soil, flip the fabric back around it. It is advisable to mulch the area. A thick layer of mulch will help keep your plants moist and healthy.
Maintaining Garden Beds With Garden Fabric
Landscaping fabric makes maintaining your flower beds much easier than without it. Since the fabric cuts down on weeds, there is significantly less work keeping it nice and neat.
The biggest issue most people find is the growth of weeds near areas that were cut for planting. It is important to be sure that the mulch around your plants is very thick. This will help keep the weeds down in the area.
Should you find an area that has excessive weed growth, an investigation is warranted. Begin by moving the mulch to inspect the fabric. Oftentimes, the fabric will have been torn by a sharp object missed when the ground was prepared. Remove the weeds that growing through the hole. Duct tape can quickly fix the problem as it is waterproof. Cover the area back up with mulch. It is wise to inspect the fabric anytime you find growth in a space that should be barren.
Some people choose to use weed killing products for pesky growth in garden fabric. It is an easy way to kill the weeds but finding the problem should be the most important thing. Once the issue is addressed, the weeds should no longer be a problem. Plus, unless you are using an organic weed killer, using chemicals around your vegetable garden is not a good idea.
Want To Learn More About Garden Fabric?
More information regarding garden fabric can be found at:
Weed Barrier Fabric by Kansas State University
Tips for Installing Weed Barrier Fabric by Kansas State University
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