{"id":11554023,"date":"2025-07-12T09:30:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T13:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/?p=11554023&preview=true&preview_id=11554023"},"modified":"2025-07-12T09:30:33","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T13:30:33","slug":"landscape-fabric-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/2025\/07\/12\/landscape-fabric-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Why landscape fabric is often a bad idea for your garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JESSICA DAMIANO, Associated Press<\/strong><\/p>\n

Landscape fabric may sound like a neat, tidy and easy solution to all your weeding woes<\/a>, but, as often is the case, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.<\/p>\n

To be fair, landscape fabric has its place. Unfortunately, it\u2019s widely misused in most home landscape applications, where it does more harm than good in ornamental beds and around perennials and crops.<\/p>\n

The woven (or sometimes non-woven) synthetic (or sometimes biodegradable) barrier is meant to suppress weeds while allowing water and air to pass through to the soil beneath it. And that\u2019s exactly how it works -\u2013 for a short time, after which buyer\u2019s remorse<\/a> almost always sets in.<\/p>\n

\"geotextile
This July 10, 2008, image provided by Bugwood.org shows geotextile landscape fabric in use around a tree. (Andrew Koeser\/International Society of Arboriculture\/Bugwood.org via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before long, soil and other organic matter settle on top of the fabric, seeds find their way to the surface, and weeds begin to grow. Since their roots penetrate through the fabric, removing them becomes extremely difficult.<\/p>\n

Under the barrier, which restricts water and oxygen from reaching the soil and carbon from escaping, microbes, earthworms and other insects die, fertility declines and roots struggle.<\/p>\n

In perennial beds, the fabric creates heat pockets and impedes the spread and self-seeding of plants. In time, the fabric will shift and tear, and attempts to remove it will no doubt make you rue the day you had the bright idea to use it.<\/p>\n

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This 2010 image provided by Bugwood.org shows tree roots that have become tangled up in landscaping fabric. When this occurs, root growth is restricted, which negatively impacts tree or plant health. (Joe Murray\/Treebio.com\/Bugwood.org)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Plastic sheeting is even worse, as it completely blocks water and air from reaching the soil, overheats roots and releases microplastics into the ground.<\/p>\n

There are exceptions, however. Landscape fabric can be helpful under gravel or stone paths<\/a> or walkways, where it creates a barrier between the hardscape and the soil below.<\/p>\n

It can also help smother grass and weeds when used temporarily to help create a clean slate for future planting beds in areas that are difficult to clear. Still, I recommend using thick layers of newspaper or cardboard<\/a> instead, as they biodegrade naturally and perform the same function without having to be removed.<\/p>\n