Weeds can be a major challenge here in North Texas where they tend to thrive year-round. You might feel as though you’re doing all the right things to get rid of weeds and yet they keep coming back. When dealing with weeds, you have to be aggressive and take a multi-faceted approach.

One of those strategies includes using weed barrier fabric.

Weed barrier landscape fabric works to discourage weeds by blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds in the first place.

As with most things, there are pros and cons of landscape fabric and you’ll even find that while some landscapers use it, others don’t bother.

Grassperson’s take on weed barrier fabric is that it can be part of an effective weed control strategy if it is installed properly. But that’s a huge “if.” If the fabric is not installed correctly, it can be more of a hassle than a help.

In this article, we’ll dive into more of the pros and cons of landscape fabric and how it fits into our approach to addressing weeds.

Landscape Fabric Pros and Cons

There are a few different pros and cons of landscape fabric that are important in terms of having realistic expectations of what it can and can’t do.

What are the Pros of Landscape Fabric?

Let’s look at some of the upsides to using a weed-control fabric.

One of the big pros of using a weed barrier fabric is that it is cost-effective. When installed properly, it can be an effective, long-term solution that does not have to be regularly re-installed. While it may eventually require replacing, it’s not something that has to be done often.
A good weed barrier fabric can also help conserve moisture in the soil as it will reduce evaporation. The blocked sunlight not only prevents weed seeds from growing (as they require sunlight in order to germinate), but it also prevents the sun from evaporating all of the water needed for your plants to thrive.
In terms of comparing fabric to other weed barrier materials like plastic, we also love that fabric allows water to amply reach the plant roots of your desired plant material. Plastics will not do this and are also not an environmentally friendly material.

What are the Negatives of Landscape Fabric?

As we’ve said from the start, weed barrier fabric should be PART of a weed control strategy. If you expect weed fabric to be enough of a solution by itself, you’re going to be disappointed.

Weed barrier fabric can also have some downsides like restricting some of the movement of soil-mixing organisms, like earthworms. When these creatures move through the different layers of soil, they mix organic material in the process.
Weed barrier fabrics also become less effective over time. They aren’t a “forever solution.” However, if you’re on the search for that “magic bullet” solution, you’re not going to find it.
Finally, weed barrier fabric is also not a 100-percent fail-proof solution…but what is? That’s exactly why we recommend it as one part of a multi-faceted approach.

A Thorough Approach to Weed Control

We have always been clear that the best weed control is a multi-faceted, year-round approach. Managing weeds in North Texas takes commitment, persistence, and a good amount of time and energy.

That’s why partnering with a pro makes sense.

As we’ve mentioned, we do believe in using weed barrier fabrics when it makes sense. We believe that there are enough pros to make it a worthwhile effort.

At Grassperson, we use a weed barrier fabric for new landscape bed installations. We believe that when installed correctly, and used with other strategies, it can help control some weed breakthroughs.

We also use pre-emergent herbicides that work by preventing weed germination in the first place. And we’ll even pull weeds by hand if necessary. Getting the bed in the best possible shape ahead of installing plant material is important as weeds are highly aggressive.

And even with all of this work, you’re still going to see weeds breakthrough. They’re that persistent! During the spring and summer months, your plant beds will require even more attention since weeds grow faster and with more vigor during this time.

It doesn’t take long for a plant bed to become full of weeds.

An effective weed control strategy also needs to include target-treating weeds that do pop up. Pre-emergent herbicides work to prevent germination from happening.

However, post-emergent weed controls work on weeds that do not reproduce via seed or those that have already sprouted.

The best weed control approach will typically include both types of herbicides, depending on bed configuration and what you have growing there. A landscape professional can help you devise a customized weed control strategy for your property’s needs.

Choosing Landscaping Services Near Flower Mound, TX to Address Weed Control

If you’ve spent time on our blog before, you know that we take weed control seriously. After all, weeds here in North Texas are a legitimate foe. We happen to have some types of weeds that are really hard to get rid of (and that just keep coming back).

That’s why persistence is key. There is never going to be a singular strategy that gets rid of weeds forever. It has to be a comprehensive and ongoing effort.

It’s also helpful when you work with an expert who will have the eye to recognize weed varieties and know how to best deal with them. A key to weed control success is being able to identify and properly treat whatever it is that you’re dealing with.

We know that weed control can sometimes feel like an endless game of whack-a-mole. Just when you think you have all the weeds taken care of, more creep in!

But when you work with professional landscaping services, it’s not on you to figure this all out. A professional will also help give you a better chance at success. They’ll have the right weed control products and strategies that will help keep these pesky invaders out of your precious plant beds.

You don’t have to let weeds get the best of your property! When you have an expert on your side, you can get rid of weeds and get back to enjoying the outdoors to the fullest.

We understand how frustrating it can be to fight weeds that crop up in your landscaping. We can help you manage weeds in your landscape and get the lawn you deserve with a total landscape maintenance program that takes a holistic approach. Get a Free Quote, then you can enjoy the best lawn and landscape on the block!