With the summer nearly at an end, it’s time to start thinking about the next summer’s garden and one of the most popular choices is the best weed block landscape fabric. It seems that every company that sells weed control products has included this product in one form or another in order to keep the lawns looking great this year. So which one is the best choice? Which weed block will work the best for your yard?
Let’s begin by examining the characteristics of a good landscape fabric. Most importantly, it should be able to prevent soil erosion, keeping soil and weed growth in check so that weeding doesn’t need to take place frequently. This will help prevent the use of herbicides and pesticides. Another essential characteristic of a good landscape fabric is its durability. After all, weeds are going to continue to grow in spite of weed-control products, so you want a fabric that’s going to last and do the job that it was intended to do – keep the pesky weeds from taking over your yard.
As far as the weed growth goes, there are several features that you should look for. A good weed block should have a deep layer of material that can easily be penetrated throughout the lawn. The depth of penetration depends on several factors including the type of grass you have, its height, the amount of sun and rain that it gets and other things. Here are some examples:
o If you have sandy soil and your landscape barrier gets damaged often, consider a sand product. The most common type is a granular type of surfactant, which works by holding surface moisture and preventing soil erosion. If you don’t have sandy soil, a thick layer of polyethylene plastic would be fine. It should be very durable and long-lasting. There are also epoxy mixes that are very popular because they can withstand extreme weed block conditions. These are available in both lightweight plastic or heavy-duty canvas materials that are great for protecting areas around flower beds and other features that require a little bit more weight.
o Fabric thickness is an important factor when choosing a weed block for your landscape fabric. A thicker material is going to give better protection against heavy weeds, but it will also help prevent water from getting underneath it. The higher the fiber content, the greater the barrier between weeds and the garden. Some common options include:
o If your problem with weeds is primarily caused by root penetration, a weed block with a fiber deep enough to block roots is going to be your best bet. Some examples include: polypropylene, vinyl and polystyrene. The polypropylene blends are the lowest-priced but are the strongest and wear the best against tough weeds. However, many gardeners prefer vinyl because it is easy to maintain, resists rotting and has a long life span.
o When choosing a landscape fabric, make sure to choose a material that lets air circulate around it. Air is necessary for moisture to evaporate from the soil. If you block the wind from entering your garden, you’ll have less need of irrigation. On the flip side, if you let too much wind come into your yard, you’ll have no place for the moisture to evaporate. A good rule of thumb is that the more air your fabric allows circulating, the more weed blocking it will have. Some examples of popular fabrics that allow air to pass through them are: polyethylene, polyester and nylons.
o One of the most important things to look for in a good landscape fabric is a high sheen. This will help make it easier for the sun to get through. Your goal should be to create an evenly distributed shade throughout your yard, not just on the surface of the soil. Some examples of high sheen fabrics include vinyl and polyethylene. Both fabrics will block sunlight equally unless specified by the manufacturer. Some examples of low sheen fabrics include cotton and polypropylene.
