Using Plastic and Woven Landscape Fabric Mulch in the Garden
Mulching is a practice in gardening that helps suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, and maintain a clean and orderly planting area. Among the many types of mulch available, plastic and fabric-based options—collectively referred to as "sheet mulch"—are commonly used for their effectiveness and ease of use.
There are two primary types of sheet mulch: black plastic sheeting and woven landscape fabric. Both are available at garden centers or landscaping supply stores and serve the function of reducing weed growth in garden beds. Black plastic sheeting is a solid material that prevents light from reaching the soil, thereby stopping weed seeds from germinating, and blocking the light from those that do. However, it is non-porous, meaning rainwater and overhead irrigation cannot penetrate, requiring water delivery through drip hoses or emitters installed beneath it.
Woven landscape fabric, in contrast, is made from interwoven plastic strands and is somewhat porous, allowing water to seep through to the soil below. This makes it more adaptable to rainfall and overhead irrigation methods. Though both types of mulch are effective, some weeds, such as nutgrass, may still penetrate the fabric over time. Even so, weed growth is much easier to manage compared to open soil.
The installation process begins by rolling out and positioning the mulch over the planting bed. If you need to use multiple sheets, overlap them by at least six inches. Sheet mulches are typically secured with landscape pins or staples every one to two feet to keep it in place, especially against wind. Edges may be tucked under to provide a neater appearance and added durability.
One consideration when using plastic mulch is disposal. Standard black plastic is typically a single-year product and needs to be discarded at the end of the season. Landscape fabric, however, is more durable and can often be reused for several growing seasons, offering a more sustainable option over time.
Web Links:
https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1073&context=utk_agexfores
https://rutherford.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/200/2022/05/W346-F-The-TN-Vegetable-Garden-Season-Extension-Methods.pdf
Related Videos:
Control Weeds with Landscape Fabric in the Vegetable Garden
Kinds of Mulch
Related Resources:
Landscape Fabric
Landscape Fabric for Garden Bed Weed Control: Good or Bad choice?
Mulch - A Survey of Available Options
Gardening with Mulches
There are two primary types of sheet mulch: black plastic sheeting and woven landscape fabric. Both are available at garden centers or landscaping supply stores and serve the function of reducing weed growth in garden beds. Black plastic sheeting is a solid material that prevents light from reaching the soil, thereby stopping weed seeds from germinating, and blocking the light from those that do. However, it is non-porous, meaning rainwater and overhead irrigation cannot penetrate, requiring water delivery through drip hoses or emitters installed beneath it.
Woven landscape fabric, in contrast, is made from interwoven plastic strands and is somewhat porous, allowing water to seep through to the soil below. This makes it more adaptable to rainfall and overhead irrigation methods. Though both types of mulch are effective, some weeds, such as nutgrass, may still penetrate the fabric over time. Even so, weed growth is much easier to manage compared to open soil.
The installation process begins by rolling out and positioning the mulch over the planting bed. If you need to use multiple sheets, overlap them by at least six inches. Sheet mulches are typically secured with landscape pins or staples every one to two feet to keep it in place, especially against wind. Edges may be tucked under to provide a neater appearance and added durability.
One consideration when using plastic mulch is disposal. Standard black plastic is typically a single-year product and needs to be discarded at the end of the season. Landscape fabric, however, is more durable and can often be reused for several growing seasons, offering a more sustainable option over time.
Web Links:
https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1073&context=utk_agexfores
https://rutherford.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/200/2022/05/W346-F-The-TN-Vegetable-Garden-Season-Extension-Methods.pdf
Related Videos:
Control Weeds with Landscape Fabric in the Vegetable Garden
Kinds of Mulch
Related Resources:
Landscape Fabric
Landscape Fabric for Garden Bed Weed Control: Good or Bad choice?
Mulch - A Survey of Available Options
Gardening with Mulches