What size hole for perennials in landscape fabric? (2024)

FAQs

What size hole for perennials in landscape fabric? ›

When planting perennials through landscape fabric, the key is to make sure there's enough room for growth. Planting holes should be dug at least three times larger in diameter than the root ball of the perennial. This will allow adequate space for roots and soil expansion.

The best option at that point is to remove the landscape fabric entirely, which is no small task. 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.

Add soil around the perennial, gently patting it in place. Mix the soil you use to fill the planting hole with organic matter, like compost, prior to filling the hole. Water thoroughly after planting.

If your fabric doesn't have holes, cut an X-shaped incision and fold back the flaps. Dig a hole between the flaps the size of your plant's root ball. Place your plant's roots inside the hole, backfill with soil, and lay the flaps back down against the plant. Secure the flaps with garden staples.

Holes that are two-to-three inches in diameter will keep weeds to a minimum but allow for ease of planting into the soil below the fabric. Fabric holes can be pre-burned prior to installation or burned in the field prior to planting.

Make sure to allow a few inches of overhang on all sides. Lay the fabric onto the soil surface so that the edges of the pieces overlap each other by 6-8 inches. This will prevent weeds from growing through the seams and allow for a little movement.

Soil Compaction: Landscape fabric leads to hard, compact soil, hindering plant growth and making gardening tasks like planting and digging challenging. Weeding Woes: While it reduces the number of weeds, those that penetrate the fabric become entwined, making removal difficult and potentially worsening the problem.

You're right - a weed barrier fabric will keep the bulbs from growing through so in the area where you plant bulbs, don't use the weed barrier. Instead, use a 3 inch thick layer of organic mulch such as compost over the top of the bed.

A good rule to remember when installing landscape fabric is to set it a few inches close to the plant roots but never too close. It will warm up the soil too much during the summer season and inhibit the exchange of air, water, and nutrients.

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.

What should I put under landscape fabric? ›

You can buy ground cloth staples at a specialty landscaping store (online or brick & mortar). These staples are usually used when there will be foot traffic where the ground cloth is put down. A layer of bark chips or pea gravel or some similar type of material is put down on top of the ground cloth.

Landscape Fabric Pros and Cons

The best landscape fabric can be used under rock and gravel landscaping and yard design. Landscape fabric is the most economical and sustainable option to keep weeds away. This type of installation is not recommended for vegetable gardens or annual flowers.

Our answer – No. We do not recommend putting landscape fabric underneath your mulch for the simple reason that it usually causes more problems than any benefit it provides. For one, the fabric blocks the transfer of beneficial microorganisms from passing through that layer of soil.

If the plant has a thick trunk, cut a larger slit, but if it's small, you'll only need to make a small slit. Roll the material, slip it around the base of the shrub, then continue until you reach another shrub. Tree: Cut a slit from the closest edge of the landscape fabric toward the base of the tree.

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. Also, squirrels and birds will bury and poop seeds on the mulch, which could then root on top of your landscape fabric.