How to use weed control fabric for a low-maintenance garden

Weeding is one of those garden jobs that never really ends. Clear a border on Saturday and the first seedlings are back within a fortnight. Weed control sheeting cuts that cycle down by blocking the light weeds need to grow, while still letting air and water through to the soil underneath. 

Laid properly, it is one of the simplest ways to get a neat, low-maintenance finish on paths, gravel areas, beds and the ground under decking. Here is how to get the best results from it. 

Prepare the ground first 

Good preparation makes the biggest difference to how well weed fabric performs. Before you lay anything, clear the area of existing weeds, paying particular attention to perennial weeds such as bindweed, couch grass and dock, which can regrow from roots left in the soil. Remove large stones and debris, then rake and level the surface so the fabric can sit flat. 

Weeds left underneath will keep trying to grow, and uneven ground leaves pockets and ridges where the sheeting can lift or tear. 

Lay the fabric across the area 

Roll the fabric out over the prepared soil so it covers the whole area. Where you need more than one width, overlap the edges by at least 10 to 15cm rather than butting them together. Gaps between sheets are where weeds find their way through. 

Our weed control fabric is made from UV-stabilised black woven polypropylene. It is tough and tear-resistant, which makes it suitable for everything from garden borders to driveways and larger landscaping jobs. 

When working around existing plants, cut a neat cross in the fabric, fold the flaps back around the stem and tuck them down. Keep cuts as small and tidy as you can, so as little soil as possible is exposed. 

Pin it down securely 

Loose fabric moves in the wind and gets pulled about by feet, wheelbarrows and pets. Fix it in place with ground pegs or U-pins every metre or so across the area, and more closely along the edges and overlaps, where lifting usually starts. Corners need particular attention. 

A well-secured layer gives even weed suppression across the whole area and a stable base for whatever goes on top. 

Add your top layer 

Weed control sheeting works best when it is covered. Gravel, slate chippings and decorative stone are the most common choices, and the fabric stops aggregates sinking into the soil below, so your surface stays cleaner and more even for longer. It is also widely used under decking, in scree gardens, on fruit beds and on paths, aggregate driveways and areas that will be block paved. 

Covering the fabric also protects it from sunlight, which helps it last longer. Aim for a gravel layer of around 5cm so the sheeting is fully hidden. 

Let water and air through 

The woven structure of quality weed control sheeting lets air and water pass into the soil, unlike solid plastic sheeting, which causes puddles and leaves the soil underneath sour and lifeless. That permeability makes it suitable for planted areas and landscaped ground where the soil needs to stay healthy. 

Common mistakes to avoid 

A few problems come up again and again. Laying fabric straight over weeds without clearing them first. Butting sheets edge to edge instead of overlapping. Using too few pegs, so the fabric creeps and lifts. Leaving it uncovered in full sun for long periods. And putting a very thin layer of gravel on top, which gets kicked aside and exposes the sheet. Avoid these and the fabric will do its job for years. 

Over time, a little soil and leaf litter can settle on top of the gravel, and the odd weed may root in it. These are shallow and pull out easily, so a quick tidy a few times a year is usually all that is needed. 

Choosing the right size 

For larger projects, picking the right roll width saves time and reduces the number of joins. Our weed control fabric comes in 1m x 100m, 1.5m x 100m and 2m x 100m rolls, so you can match the width to your beds, paths or driveway. 

A well-prepared, properly covered area stays tidy for longer and needs far less attention. Order your weed control sheeting from Ground Stores and spend less time on your knees pulling weeds.