Does landscape fabric really work to keep weeds out of a flowerbed?

Question

I have also heard of using other materials such as plastic sheeting or newspaper. Would you recommend any of these materials? If so, how did you use it?

Answer 1

its not as affective as what it should be but it does let water pass through so I guess thats a plus. I use garbage bags nothings growing through one of those! remember you have to put mulch on top of it!

Answer 2

yes..it does...I use mulch over it...then cut out a hole for my flower but then stick the mulch under neath the leaves

works like a charm

Answer 3

didn't work for me, it was ok for a while but nature has a habit of 'popping'up from the ground to say hello! save your cash and enjoy the weeding, it's good thinking time!

Answer 4

yes it last 1 year and then all h**l breaks lose and you curse it! I used plastic sheeting for a rock bed river in my backyard. but for flower bed it wont let enough water through.Then again maybe that's what you want!

Ive never heard of using newspaper my dad used to use it to make compost so probably not.

Answer 5

I used newspaper and when it dried it blew away... good luck with your answers, because I'd like to know what to try next myself.

Answer 6

Use two layers of fabric run in opposite directions if you're serious about keeping out weeds. Look for the thickest milled fabric. Newspaper won't work - too translucent and too delicate. Ditto on the plastic. Keep your thumb green and your back upright.

Answer 7

no

Answer 8

This is a yes-no answer...it does work. I used the material for a pathway through the flower garden...put a 3" coating of cedar mulch over it...came out beautiful...

Two problems arose...one major  other just annoying.

We're subject to some fairly heavy rain in a short span. Last time was about 5 inches in a couple hours. Yard is on a slight slope...run-off followed path of least resistance...my pathway...and took major portion of mulch with it. Only good thing was I noticed (while replacing mulch) that there was a good base of decomposing material...which sort of leads to the minor...second problem.

All this decomposing material gives a good base for weeds, grass and etc to sprout...and you're back to square one with the manual weeding....it's not as dense as it could be..root system of the weeds are shallow and easy to pull.

I keep the pathway even with the minor problems...looks good...and like being a good cook and in the kitchen...When you're weeding (or cooking) no-one bothers you...they may get "volunteered."...the weeding is my "quiet" time.

Answer 9

yes it does-but if you are a gardener that changes things (flowers shrubs etc)it is very difficult to cut throught.  i have tried many materials-weeding is still the easiest.  never tried in vegtable garden

Answer 10

you cannot use anything in a flower bed ..it was never designed for that purpose ....what is very good is a product called elbow grease ...whats that !,,..you've never heard of it !...its another name for hard work