When using landscaping fabric, the preparation of the project sites is just as important as the quality of the materials being used. While many people will place weed barriers directly over existing or barely prepared areas, the best performance and longest lasting results are most likely with good preparation.
To start
Measure and mark the area. Most professionals use reverse marking paint, but you can also use rope, sticks, rocks, hose, or whatever you have available. Purchase or order your landscape fabric to ensure it’s available when you start your project.
Remove all vegetation
Once your project areas are measured and marked, remove all vegetation. Depending on the area you are working in, there are several ways to remove plants and vegetation.
In the grass areas that are going to be covered and/or converted into planting areas, the most common thing is that we make a double application of a non-selective herbicide such as round up. Make sure the area is actively growing, spray the herbicide as directed, and then let it do its thing. In 5 to 7 days after application, begin watering the area to encourage growth of whatever survives and any seeds that may be viable. Repeat the herbicide application. You may also want to iterate again if necessary.
In some cases, we use a grass trimmer to remove the first few inches of grass. This is usually after all weeds have been killed and is done primarily to thin the area to make room for mulch, rocks, or other ground cover.
I have seen other professionals install landscaping fabrics in areas that were only mowed with grass but not removed with a weed killer. I do not recommend it. Lawn mowers only cut the top surface of the grass and really do nothing to kill the roots. This could be a future problem if you have deep-rooted aggressive weeds or grasses like Bermuda.
For areas without grass and old flower beds, you can use the herbicidal method mentioned above. And for all areas, including grass areas, you can use the herbicide or solorization method.
Solarization is basically baking the soil and exposing it to extremely high temperatures that kill weed seeds and vegetation. This process is very simple and works very well, but it takes more time to do.
prepare the soil
If you plan to plant plants in the areas where you install the fabric, you should work on soil amendments and nutrients prior to installation. If possible, and I recommend it, use slow-release organic fertilizers and compost. You should also test the pH of the soil and add lime or sulfur in proper amounts if necessary.
Once the weed barrier is in place, you will only be able to add top surface applied chemical fertilizers and you will not be able to work the soil. You can of course add amendments to each plant hole as you plant it. However, it is time consuming, complicated, and does not spread beyond the root zone of the plant.
Use a rotary tiller or spade to incorporate the amendments and nutrients 4 to 6 inches into the soil surface. Remove stones, sticks, rubble and break cloth. Rake the surface until smooth.
Install irrigation system
If you have an idea of where your plants are going to be and you plan to have an automatic drip irrigation system, now is the time to place it. Attach the main feed hose and position the drip tube and emitters towards where your plants will be. If you plan on a bubbler system, it should have been installed before the area was fixed.
fabric installation
The easiest way to do this is to put up the barrier first before planting the plants. Some people recommend that you use safety pins to keep the material in place. is an option. However, if you prefer to save expense, you can secure the edges with the ground cover you intend to use. We usually just put sacks or piles of mulch, rock, or other soil cover around the edges and spread them out once we’re done planting.
I have also seen some people plant the plants first and then place them on top of the plants. This is often hard on the vegetation, breaks branches, and is time consuming.
You can use a sharp knife or utility knife to cut the fabric, but the best and easiest way we’ve found to cut long runs is to use sharp scissors. And instead of working with the scissors, hold them ajar until the blades form a “V.” Hold the material where both blades meet in the “V” and push them through the fabric.
planting
Mark the area of your plant or place the plants to get a picture. Use a sharp knife, razor, or scissors and cut an “x” in the fabric the size of your pot or root ball. Do not reduce the size of the pot. Just cut out the “x” and fold the flaps under. Make the hole. Position and plant the plant correctly. Gently place the fins next to the plant.
Now place 2-4 inches of your chosen ground cover over the area making sure to clamp down on the cut flaps and hold them in place.
Trim any excess garden fabric around the edges making sure it stays tight around the edges.