You may have seen or even used landscape fabric. It is frequently used as a layer between the dirt and some type of mulch, often bark mulch or pea gravel. But what about landscape fabric for use in the vegetable garden? It might make sense to use landscape fabric as a vegetable garden weed barrier but, as with everything, there are pros and cons.
Using Landscape Fabric in Vegetable Garden
Weeds left to grow rampant in the veggie garden compete for water and nutrients, host diseases and pests, and make harvesting difficult. It would seem that landscape fabric for the vegetable garden would be a win/win and indeed, laying a barrier of landscape fabric will slow weeds... for a while.
Obviously landscape fabric has the benefit of slowing weeds. It allows water to flow freely to roots and can also be used temporarily in the vegetable garden to warm the soil. Warm season crops benefit greatly by the use of landscape fabric, with one statistic stating that melon crop yields can increase up to 50% using fabric or dark plastic. Landscape fabric is also easy to install with the use of soil staples.
However, compared to organic mulches, landscape fabric is more costly than many other options. Over time, unless it’s removed and stored every season, it tends to break down and shred easily. Also, leaves and other detritus that fall atop the fabric break down into compost that becomes highly attractive to weed seeds.
Is Landscape Fabric Safe for Vegetable Gardens?
There seem to be equal pros and cons around using landscape fabric in the veggie garden, but if you are still unsure, ask yourself if it is safe. By all accounts, landscape fabric does not contaminate the food grown however, remember, landscape fabric is often made of plastic; sometimes recycled plastic, but still plastic.
Because of this material, landscape fabric has some longevity but even plastic breaks down or more likely shreds or tears, often leaving bits of plastic in the soil.
While this isn’t a single use plastic product it is a plastic product that does no favors for the environment. If you are concerned about your impact on the environment you might consider using either organic mulch or another environmentally friendly substitute for landscape fabric.
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Substitutes for landscape fabric might be newspaper, cardboard or burlap, which allow water and nutrients to pass through to the soil and slow weeds for a time. Eventually these materials degrade and add nutrients back into the soil.
FAQs
Landscape fabric is safe to use in a vegetable garden as long as the crops have room to grow and the fabric does not disrupt the exchange of air, nutrients, and water in the soil.
Do you put soil on top of landscape fabric? ›
You should only use mulch on top of landscape fabric if you are using it in a permanent planting bed. It's important to understand that any soil or mulch that contains seeds that is placed on top of the landscape fabric will risk growing weeds on top of it.
Will roots grow through landscape fabric? ›
In this process you may end up damaging the root systems of your landscape plants too, as tree, shrub, and perennial roots may also grow through the landscape fabric. Even if weeds are not an issue, landscape fabric seems to invariably become exposed.
Should I line my garden box with landscape fabric? ›
The fact is, landscape fabric is not a necessity if say, you want to control weeds because the confined space makes it easier to control weeds. But, you can use landscape fabric as a raised bed liner for other reasons, such as preventing soil erosion or improving the life of the raised bed itself.
Can plants grow on top of landscape fabric? ›
Yes, they can. But, landscape fabric may constrict the growth of plants. Not all, but many perennial plants will be inhibited from growing larger over time, because they have no room to expand.
Does fertilizer go through landscape fabric? ›
Fertilizing Techniques for Landscape Fabric
A hose attachment is excellent for applying water-soluble fertilizer. That's because your liquid fertilizer soaks through the landscape fabric. Remember to clear all debris like bark or other mulch around the plants before fertilizer application.
What should I put down before landscaping fabric? ›
It's best to use landscape fabric under inorganic materials such as rock, gravel, or sand. Landscape fabrics are less effective when used under organic mulch such as wood chips or bark. As this mulch decomposes, it effectively creates a new layer of soil above the landscape fabric.
What are the disadvantages of landscape fabric? ›
Pros and Cons of Landscape Fabric
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Environmental Impact | Some types are made from recycled materials. | Often contains petroleum and other chemicals; not biodegradable. |
| Aesthetics | Can be covered with mulch for a neat appearance. | Becomes unsightly over time as it frays and surfaces through mulch. |
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If you have ever pulled up old landscape fabric, you will see that the structure of the soil has deteriorated because it hasn't received any additional organic matter. Fabric also prevents earthworms, insects, and beneficial fungi from moving through different layers of the soil and breaking down organic matter.
Does water pass through landscape fabric? ›
Permeability - At the store, landscape fabric usually can be found in two forms: 1) a woven fabric created by weaving thin strips of plastic and 2) a spun fabric created using polyester fibers. These landscape fabrics are somewhat porous in both cases, meaning they allow water and air to move through.
It acts as a physical barrier to block out pernicious weeds. Usually, 2 – 3 layers of cardboard will suffice, though you may want layers in more weed-prone areas. The damp environment created by the cardboard is conducive to earthworms and other beneficial soil microorganisms.
What to put on the bottom of a raised vegetable garden? ›
Cardboard or newspaper: Cardboard is a great option if you are on a budget. You can line the bottom of your raised garden bed with cardboard and newspaper to deter pests and weeds.
Does cardboard work better than landscape fabric? ›
Cardboard weed barriers are a better option for vegetable gardens where crop rotation necessitates that the plants in the plot be moved around regularly to combat plant pathogens in the soil. Many larger vegetable plants also have deep roots that you would have to cut a landscaping fabric to allow for.
Are fabric grow bags safe for vegetables? ›
The best material for grow bags is heavy-duty landscape fabric, which is typically made from polypropylene. The material is typically food-grade, free of anything harmful and long-lasting.
Can I use landscape fabric to line a planter? ›
- Place the landscape fabric inside the planter, making sure it covers the bottom and sides, with excess fabric hanging over the edges.
What material is safe to grow vegetables in? ›
Plastic Type 4 – LDPE
The plastics that are already used for food storage tend to also be safe to garden with. Like its older cousin, HDPE, LDPE plastic is very safe in a wide range of temperatures and can even be used in the microwave. You're likely to find LDPE in your garden in the hoses you use to water.
