Using Landscape FabricLandscape fabric is tough stuff. These fabrics are designed for gardeners to help them with their most tedious chore: keeping weeds out of their flower beds. You lay the fabric down on top of a garden bed and where the bumps (plants) protrude you cut out an opening for it. A bed of mulch on top of the fabric secures it in place and conceals it. The fabric lets water, air and fertilizer get through to the plant roots but blocks the growth of weeds because light cannot get through the black fabric. Unlike black plastic it lets the soil breathe and resists tearing and punctures from sharp lawn tools. It also helps control erosion. The fabric retains the soil in the garden bed by shedding excess rain water. It is especially helpful when growing plants on slopes.' Landscape fabrics have been used by landscape contractors for several years because it solves other problems. It's laid down on the ground and covered with gravel under decks to curb weed growth. And it is frequently used as an underlayment under a brick walkway or patio laid in sand or gravel where it checks weed growth while reducing heaving and settling by separating the soil and sand layers. It's also used behind retaining walls to allow drainage and reduce erosion. Installing the fabric is easy, the only thing to watch out for is opening the large roll on a windy day. Large pieces of landscape fabric can be difficult to hold in place in very windy conditions. Wait for a calm day or at least choose a day with a gentle breeze. Landscape Fabric in a Bed of Flowers Apply the fabric on a garden bed that's been weeded and is free of any unwanted vegetation. Begin by measuring the garden bed and choose a roll of fabric that closely fits the dimensions. You can cut the fabric easily with a pair of scissors or a utility knife so that's the only tool required. Where two pieces of fabric meet join the seams with a slight overlap. Unroll the fabric over the flower bed loosely and eyeball where you'll need to make cuts over plants. The bumps make it easy to see and your cut doesn't have to be exact. Make and "X" like slit over the plant and then gently finesse the plant through the opening in the fabric. Custom fit the fabric around planta by slitting the fabric where it's necessary. The opening should be loose, not tight around ita base. Cover the fabric with 4 inches of mulch or stone spreading it evenly throughout the flower bed. Add new mulch as needed and make certain that all the fabric is covered because the fabric can break down under intense exposure to the sun. You can use the fabric vertically to help curb weed growth between a garden bed and its timber edging material. Cut the fabric to the height of the soil, lay it straight up against the edging material and backfill with soil. Make sure the soil is compact and you've created a weed-free edging barrier. Landscape Fabric as Underlayment If you're building a deck or using concrete stepping stones, flagstone, aggregate block or bricks for a patio or walkway use this fabric to block out weeds and help level the soil. Lay down the fabric on top of the soil before decking is put in place. Spread a layer of gravel on top of the fabric and you won't have to worry about pesky weeds poking through the deck boards. The fabric also eliminates water puddling and drainage and unpleasant odors caused by algae buildup in the ground below. Landscape fabric solves an age old problem with masonry surfaces which have and settle when there are changes in the ground temperature. As an underlayment begin by freeing the area of weeds and grass. Make sure the area is level before laying down fabric which is cut to fit. Cover it with a minimum of 4 inches of compacted sand. Then add a second layer of fabric with a second layer of sand. Put the masonry pieces in place and use a push broom to sweep sand into the openings between them. written by Gene and Katie Hamilton
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