underlayment fabric?

[mgosser]

I need some info on some good fabric underlayment. Most is like a thin plastic and won't last a year. I have been using a Sam's Club fabric and I like it, but it is seasonal to buy and they are out. I am almost out and I need some help.

[JTLawnandLandscape]

Lowes and HD sell a nice fabric... It's not cheap, it's made of quality woven fabric that keeps the weeds down and allows water and nutrients to penetrate to the soil... I'm 100% against the use of plastic UNLESS you are using it underneath a loose pea gravel patio or something.

Hope that helps.

[yrdandgardenhandyman]

Lowes and HD sell a nice fabric... It's not cheap, it's made of quality woven fabric that keeps the weeds down and allows water and nutrients to penetrate to the soil... I'm 100% against the use of plastic UNLESS you are using it underneath a loose pea gravel patio or something.

Hope that helps.


What happened to the other post?
Anyway, I agree with that one. Only use for fabric is under rock. But then maybe I'm spitting into the wind and you are using it for rock.:waving:

[Dirty Water]

Fabric does not belong under mulch.

[LindblomRJ]

I agree. Did a walkway used the heavy fabric.

[mojob]

Fabric does not belong under mulch.
Why not? Just wondering.

[Travel'n Trees]

For over 45 years we have blck 4 mil plastic under rock, no problems, and weed mat for behind retaining walls, and french drains, that is it.

[mgosser]

Why doesn't fabric belong under mulch? Do customers don't like calling you back in a month wondering who is going to pull all the weeds and grass. Most mulch is bad enough with weed seeds, but with no underlayment it's really bad.

[AztlanLC]

Eventually mulch will decompose and weeds will germinate on it.

[Mr. Vern]

Why not? Just wondering.
Mulch is organic and over time it will beak down and become beautiful soil. The first problem is that the weeds will just grow on top of the fabric - makes it a litte easier to pull, but you still have weeds. Second and more important, is that once the mulch breaks down and is ready to be tilled in, you have this stupid fabric in the way. It also ends up showing through the mulch if it gets disturbed or as it breaks down. Bottom line is if you use fabric under mulch and have to maintain the yard in a year, you will understand why most people don't like it. When it comes to rock - it's a must!

[mgosser]

What do you do as far as ground prep before you put down mulch around shrubs. Do you till, spray, or mulch on top of the grass.

[Dirty Water]

I think the people who complain about lots of weed problems without using fabric are the same people that only spread an inch of mulch.

The more mulch the better, 4 inches or more, just don't bury the plants in it.

There is a landscaper here who does aroud 14 inches of mulch in everything he does, he has his guys dig out holes for each plant and they fill it with dirt and then plant it.

He has never had a weed problem for this unusual and slightly unorthodox method.

[prizeprop]

Why doesn't fabric belong under mulch? Do customers don't like calling you back in a month wondering who is going to pull all the weeds and grass. Most mulch is bad enough with weed seeds, but with no underlayment it's really bad.
Every try to plant flowers in a bed that has a good quality weed mat? its terrible!

[dmc337]

We steer all clients away from weed fabrics for just that reason. I've had too many renovation jobs where all I did was curse the previous landscaper for putting this stuff down. You have to use carpet blades in your knives just to cut the stuff more than 5 or 6 holes. One thing is certain...weeds will grow anywhere, fabric or not.

[dcgreenspro]

Why doesn't fabric belong under mulch? Do customers don't like calling you back in a month wondering who is going to pull all the weeds and grass. Most mulch is bad enough with weed seeds, but with no underlayment it's really bad.
wrong, you aren't putting it on heavy enough or not enough snapshot. Through wind and rain weed seeds too will make thier way to sitting on top of the barrier and under the mulch. Then the cutomer has one giant mess that needs to be ripped out and they don't want to hear the it will be another 1000 to do it all. Stop the fabric!!!!

[mgosser]

Makes sense I guess. I've only had two mulch jobs this whole year. One was yesterday. I tried no fabric and I'll see what happens. Everyone wants rock or brick chips around here.

[forestfireguy]

When you leave out the fabric you skip the issues mentioned above, in my expierience it is a headache besides if you sell them the fabric "to prevent weeds" it's harder to sell them a pre-em treatment each year after remulching the beds. Make the little bit you can on the fabric or as much as you can each year for a few minutes work with a hand spreader.

[Premo Services]

When you leave out the fabric you skip the issues mentioned above, in my expierience it is a headache besides if you sell them the fabric "to prevent weeds" it's harder to sell them a pre-em treatment each year after remulching the beds. Make the little bit you can on the fabric or as much as you can each year for a few minutes work with a hand spreader.

I am having tremendous problems right now, because another co before me sold the customer on fabric. It has weeds all in the plants, and other areas. It is the thick fabric and is a real PITA:realmad:
the weeds are growing under the fabric and it is soo hard to pull them out.
I am having problems getting the pre em to work because of the fabric

[JimLewis]

I need some info on some good fabric underlayment. Most is like a thin plastic and won't last a year. I have been using a Sam's Club fabric and I like it, but it is seasonal to buy and they are out. I am almost out and I need some help.

I think you're referring to "weed-barrier fabric" or "landscape fabric".

"Underlayment fabric" is a different thing alltogether. Underlayment fabric is what we place underneath pond liners to protect the pond liner from getting punctured by rocks, roots, or other sharp objects. Underlayment fabric is thick, like 1/4" to 1/2" thick. Almost like the stuff they use underneath carpets. Much different than the thin weed-barrier fabric I think you are referring to.

As for where to get it (weed barrier fabric), any wholesale landscape supply store or irrigation supply store should have it. Horizon, Ewing, Lesco, John Deere Landscapes, etc.

[FlaRipper]

It's also a pain in the arse when you have to do a rip out, or an install.