Garden Fabric - What you Need to Know

Types of Garden Geotextile Fabric

There are two main types i.e. woven and non-woven geotextile landscape fabrics.

Woven Fabrics
Woven geotextile fabrics are made by interlacing threads in a specific pattern, creating a strong and durable material that is able to withstand a significant amount of weight and pressure. These fabrics are commonly used in landscaping applications that require heavy-duty support, such as retaining walls or pathways.

Advantages

• High level of strength and durability
• Excellent soil stabilization and erosion control
• Superior weed control
• Ideal for use in areas with heavy foot traffic or on slopes
• Good for retaining walls or pathways

Disadvantages

• Limited ability to provide effective drainage
• Not ideal for areas that require a high level of drainage

Working in Garden Bed

Non-woven Fabrics

These fabrics are used in a variety of landscaping applications such as weed control, erosion prevention, and drainage systems.

Advantage
One of the main benefits of non-woven fabrics is their ability to provide effective drainage while still preventing soil erosion. Because the fibers are not woven together as tightly as they are in woven fabrics, water is able to penetrate through the material and into the soil below more easily. Non-woven fabrics are often also more affordable than woven fabrics.

Disadvantages
While non-woven fabrics offer a number of benefits, they do have some disadvantages to consider. One potential drawback is their lower level of strength and durability compared to woven fabrics. They may not be able to withstand heavy foot traffic or support retaining walls in the same way that woven fabrics can.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Garden Geotextile Fabric

Drainage
Drainage refers to how well water can move through the fabric and away from your garden bed. Good drainage is important because it helps prevent water from accumulating. Water accumulation can create problems like root rot, mold, and pest infestations. Moreover, too much water will drown out your plants hindering their proper growth.

A geotextile fabric with good drainage properties will allow water to pass through easily, preventing it from pooling on top of the fabric or in your soil. This helps maintain a healthy growing environment for your plants.

You can also consult with a gardening expert or retailer to get more information on which type of geotextile fabric would be best for your particular garden and soil type.

Fabric Under Plants

Weed Control
Weeds are unwanted plants that can compete with your garden plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Moreover, they make your garden look messy.

A landscape fabric with good weed control properties will prevent weeds from growing through the fabric and into your garden soil.

There are different types of geo fabrics available that offer varying degrees of weed control. These fabrics are designed to completely block out all sunlight, which can prevent weeds from germinating and growing altogether.

Heavy-Duty Weed Barrier Fabric

All weed barrier is the same right? Wrong! Weed barrier often gets a bad rap because of the cheap stuff you can go pickup at your local garden center. No weed barrier is 100% effective but if you use the right stuff the amount of weeds in your landscape will be greatly reduced. We sell the right stuff.

Raised Garden Beds in Sunlight

Soil Stabilization
Soil stabilization refers to the ability of the fabric to hold soil in place and prevent it from shifting or moving.

Geotextile fabric with good soil stabilization properties will help keep your garden soil in place, even during heavy rainfall or strong winds. This is important because soil that shifts or moves around can damage plant roots and prevent them from accessing nutrients and water.

Geo fabrics designed for soil stabilization are typically made with heavier weight and more durable materials, such as woven or non-woven fabrics. These fabrics are often placed on top of soil that is prone to shifting or moving, and are secured with stakes or pins to keep them in place.

Proper Installation and Maintenance of Garden Fabric

It is important to properly install and maintain the landscape fabric for long life.

Landscape Fabric with Plant Growing

Installation
Proper installation of geotextile fabric is crucial to ensure its effectiveness in controlling weeds, reducing erosion, and stabilizing soil. Following are the steps involved in the installation of fabric:

• Measure the area
• Prepare the fabric: Unroll the geotextile fabric and cut it to the desired size using scissors or a utility knife. Leave an extra inch or two of fabric on all sides so that it can be easily anchored to the ground.
• Lay the fabric: Place the geotextile fabric on the soil, making sure it is evenly distributed and covers the entire area.
• Anchor the fabric: Use landscape staples or pins to secure the fabric to the ground. Place the staples or pins about 1-2 feet apart along the edges of the fabric and in the center of the fabric as needed.
• Overlap the fabric: If you are installing multiple pieces of geotextile fabric, overlap the edges of each piece by 6-12 inches to ensure that there are no gaps in the coverage.
• Cut holes for plants: If you plan to plant through the geotextile fabric, use scissors or a utility knife to cut holes in the fabric where you want to plant. Be sure to leave enough room for the plant to grow and spread its roots.

Plants Growing in Landscaped Area

Useful tips for installing landscape fabric:

• Make sure to properly prepare the site before installing the geotextile fabric to ensure a smooth and even installation.
• Choose the right type of geotextile fabric for your specific needs, whether it be for weed control, erosion control, or soil stabilization.
• Use high-quality landscape staples or pins to secure the fabric to the ground.
• Overlap the edges of the fabric to ensure that there are no gaps in coverage.
• If you plan to plant through the geotextile fabric, make sure to cut holes large enough for the plant to grow and spread its roots.

Maintenance

Here are the things you should do to maintain your geotextile fabric:

• Inspect regularly: Check your fabric regularly for any signs of wear or damage. If you notice any tears or holes in the fabric, repair them immediately to prevent further damage.
• Remove debris: Remove any debris that accumulates on the fabric, such as leaves or twigs. This will help prevent the debris from breaking down and causing problems like mold or mildew.
• Check anchor pins: Inspect the landscape staples or pins that are holding the fabric in place to ensure they are still secure. If any pins are loose or missing, replace them immediately.
• Reapply mulch: If you have mulch or other organic materials on top of the geotextile fabric, it may need to be reapplied periodically to maintain its effectiveness.
• Replace as needed: Over time, geotextile fabric may become worn or damaged beyond repair. If this happens, it will need to be replaced to continue providing benefits to your garden.

Useful tips for maintaining geotextile fabric:

• Check the fabric after heavy rain or wind to make sure it is still properly anchored and in place.
• Avoid walking on the fabric as much as possible, as this can cause damage or wear.
• If you notice any signs of plant growth through the fabric, cut away the fabric around the plant to prevent damage to the plant.
• Use caution when using a pressure washer to clean the fabric, as too much pressure can damage the fabric.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Garden Geotextile Fabric

Installing landscape fabric is a relatively straightforward process, but there are some common mistakes that people make that can lead to problems down the line. Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid when installing geotextile fabric:

Insufficient Site Preparation
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when installing garden geotextile fabric is not properly preparing the site before installation. This can include failing to remove weeds or other debris, not properly grading the site, or not installing any necessary drainage systems.

Before installing geotextile fabric, it's important to clear the area of all weeds and debris, level the ground as needed, and ensure that there is proper drainage in place. Failure to do so can lead to problems with water pooling or soil erosion over time.

Blooming Flowers in Bed

Garden Bed Construction

Applications for Garden Fabric

Landscape fabric has a wide range of applications in landscaping and gardening. Here are some of the most common applications:

Garden Beds
One of the most common uses of geotextile fabric is in garden beds. This fabric prevent weeds from growing up. This can help your plants grow healthier and stronger.

Pathways
Geotextile fabric can also be used to create pathways in your garden or landscaping. By laying the fabric down over the ground and covering it with mulch or gravel creates a durable and low-maintenance pathway.

Apart from these, a few more applications of landscape fabrics:

• Retaining Walls: Geo fabric can also be used in retaining walls to help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. By placing the fabric behind the retaining wall, you can help keep the soil in place and prevent it from shifting or washing away during heavy rains.
• Drainage Systems: Finally, geotextile fabric can be used in drainage systems to help filter water and prevent soil erosion. By lining drainage ditches or swales with geotextile fabric, you can help prevent soil and debris from washing into nearby waterways, while also helping to filter out pollutants and other contaminants.
• Ground Stabilization: Landscape fabrics can be used to stabilize the ground in areas that are prone to erosion or landslides, such as steep slopes or embankments.
• Lawn Protection: Geotextile fabrics can be used to protect lawns from heavy foot traffic, particularly in areas where people frequently walk or play.
• Tree Planting: Geotextile fabrics can be used to help tree roots establish themselves by preventing soil erosion and keeping weeds at bay.
• Water Features: Geotextile fabrics can be used to line the bottom of water features such as ponds or streams, helping to prevent soil erosion and filter out pollutants.

Construction for Backyard Landscape