Robust, durable and tested to a high standard, geo fabrics like Groundtex are built to last; but the common question asked by home gardeners and professional landscapers alike remains: does landscape fabric need to be replaced?
Here we’ll explain how landscape fabric works, how to extend its life and how to know if it’s time to replace it.
How Landscape Fabrics Work
Landscape fabric can be used for a variety of applications but is most often used as a weed control barrier or to separate aggregates from the soil. As a geotextile fabric, it has a permeable membrane that allows water to pass freely but blocks larger particles as well as light. This makes it ideal for use in garden beds, especially when compared to alternative solutions that are non-permeable or break down over time.
That being said, even within geotextiles, not all products are created equal. While Growitvation’s professional landscape fabrics are designed to last, you can find many inferior materials elsewhere. These other options may initially seem attractive thanks to their lower production costs, they commonly break down or tear over a short period. Not only does this leave remnants of the fabric in your soil, but it also fails to create a barrier and, ultimately, will require replacement.
At Growtivation, we believe if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well, and nothing is worse than having to revisit a project due to failing materials. That’s just one of the reasons our landscaping fabrics are backed by our PledgeMark warranty. Not only will they stand the test of time but the range includes specialist fabrics to suit the task at hand. Whether you’re laying a lawn, drain or driveway, you can be confident that you’re equipped with the right material for the job.
When Should You Replace Landscape Fabric?
When quality and endurance count, Growtivation professional landscape fabrics are the ideal choice. Even so, despite their enhanced durability to others on the market, they can still become damaged and require replacing over time.
Although generic weed control fabric suffers damage more quickly, no landscape fabric is entirely indestructible. If you notice your fabric is no longer creating an effective barrier, it may be time to think about replacing it. Some of the most common reasons for this are:
- Plant damage – geotextile fabric is designed to prevent weeds from growing below it, but it can’t stop weeds from growing above. Windblown seeds can easily implant on top of mulch and, if not removed as seedlings, will bed down and grow roots. With the vigour and dedication that weeds are so well known for, these roots could eventually damage the fabric.
- Gardening damage – landscaping fabric pierced by garden forks or rakes, or which has been improperly cut for planting will need replacing sooner than it would otherwise. To avoid this, ensure you follow the instructions when planting into landscape fabric and apply a mulch to provide additional protection.
- Animal damage – while we wouldn’t change our pets for the world, they are among the main culprits for damaging landscape fabric, as well as any wildlife that may come along. Whether foraging, digging or consistently tracking a particular route through the garden, animals create additional wear and tear, which can degrade geotextile fabric.
Mishaps and paws aside, professional landscape fabric with its permeable membrane is designed to last many years and, if well-cared for, is superior in longevity to biodegradable alternatives.
How To Extend The Life Of Your Landscape Fabric
The most important step you can take in prolonging the life of weed control fabric such as Weedtex is to cover it with organic mulch. Laying a minimum of 50mm of mulch provides an additional barrier for weeds, creates a buffer from potential damage and provides a pleasing final aesthetic.
It’s essential to consider any mulch or aggregates you will use to cover your landscape fabric at the start of your project. For example, Landtex is another excellent all-rounder for suppressing weeds, which can be covered with 50mm of rounded decorative stone, while Groundtex is designed for more robust uses, making it better suited for use with gravel and sharper aggregates.
With over 20 years of experience in the landscape industry, Growtivation understands the needs of landscaping professionals and has concentrated on providing high-performance solutions with our Product That Works range.
Growtivation’s wide range of professional landscaping systems means we have the right solution for all common landscaping problems.
Find out more about the Growtivation Product That Works range by downloading our Product Guide and your free copy of our Landscaping That Works guide to weed control and geotextile fabrics. Our PledgeMark warranty certifies that our products are suitable for their intended use for your peace of mind and quality assurance.
To find out where you can buy Growtivation products visit our online Where to Buy facility or contact the friendly team at Growtivation for advice on 0800 197 8885 or email sales@growtivation.com.
