How to Install Landscape Fabric

6 min read · Updated June 2026 · The Cubic Yard Editorial Team

Installing Landscape Fabric — 6 Steps at a Glance

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Remove weeds

ALL roots — critical

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Grade soil

Rake smooth & flat

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Lay fabric

6" seam overlaps

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Pin every 10"

6–8" staples

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Cut X-slits

For each plant

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Cover NOW

2–4" gravel or mulch

← Scroll to see all steps →

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Time

1–3 hours

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Difficulty

Easy

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Key tool

Landscape staples

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YES — Under Gravel

Driveways, paths, decorative beds

PreventsGravel sinking into soil

BlocksWeeds growing up through

Lasts15–20 years when covered

UseWoven 3–6 oz geotextile

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NO — Under Mulch in Beds

Flower beds, around trees, gardens

Year 1Looks OK, works somewhat

Year 3Weeds grow on top anyway

Year 5Fabric breaks into plastic mesh

Year 7+Impossible to remove — $1,000+ job

3" of mulch suppresses weeds — no fabric needed

What You'll Need

✓Woven landscape fabric

✓Landscape staples / pins (10 per linear foot)

✓Utility knife or scissors

✓Garden rake

✓Shovel or hoe

✓Measuring tape

✓Mulch or gravel (cover material)

⚠ Choose woven fabric, not plastic sheeting. Plastic sheeting blocks drainage and kills soil life. Woven landscape fabric allows water and air through while blocking light.

Step-by-Step Installation

1
Remove all weeds — including roots
This is the most critical step. Pull weeds by hand or use a hoe. For persistent weeds (Bermuda grass, bindweed), apply herbicide and wait 2 weeks before proceeding. Any root left behind will grow through or around the fabric.
2
Loosen and grade the soil
Rake the area smooth. Remove large rocks and debris. Loosen the top 2–3 inches of soil to improve drainage. A flat, even surface prevents fabric from shifting after installation.
3
Unroll fabric with 6-inch seam overlaps
Unroll the landscape fabric across the area. When sections meet, overlap them by at least 6 inches. Weeds can push through even small gaps — 6 inches minimum prevents this. Extend fabric 2–3 inches under any edging.
4
Secure with landscape staples every 10 inches
Pin the fabric using U-shaped landscape staples every 10 inches along edges and every 12–18 inches across the middle. Pin all overlapping seams. Use at least 6-inch staples — 8-inch for heavy soils or slopes.
5
Cut X-slits for plants
For existing plants, cut an X-shaped slit in the fabric. Fold back the four flaps, position the plant, then fold the flaps back snugly around the stem. Keep the flaps — removing fabric exposes soil where weeds can germinate.
6
Cover immediately with 2–4 inches of mulch or gravel
Cover the fabric as soon as possible. UV exposure degrades landscape fabric rapidly — even quality fabric starts breaking down after 6 months of direct sun exposure. Gravel: 2–3 inches. Mulch: 3–4 inches.

Common Installation Mistakes

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Not removing weeds first: Established weeds push right through fabric. You'll have worse weeds within 6 months.
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Using plastic sheeting instead of woven fabric: Blocks drainage, kills beneficial soil organisms, and degrades into microplastics.
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Not overlapping seams enough: Less than 6 inches and weeds find the gap immediately.
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Leaving fabric exposed without cover: UV breaks down even premium fabric within 6–12 months without protective cover.
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Using under mulch in flower beds: Fabric blocks soil benefits of decomposing mulch and becomes impossible to remove after 3–5 years. Use mulch alone in beds.

Using fabric under gravel?

Calculate how much gravel you need for your project.

Open Gravel Calculator →

When to Hire a Professional

Landscape fabric installation is a straightforward DIY project in most cases. Consider a pro if:

⚠The area has significant slope or erosion — requires engineered drainage, not just fabric
⚠You're removing existing fabric after years of use — often requires full soil replacement
⚠The project is part of a larger hardscaping job (patio, retaining wall)
⚠You're unsure whether your drainage issues are surface or subsurface

📚 Sources & Further Reading

›University of Minnesota Extension — Landscape Fabrics
›NC State Extension — Landscape Mulches and Weed Barriers
›Penn State Extension — Weed Management in Landscape Plantings

Learn about our research methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you install landscape fabric?

Clear all weeds, loosen soil, lay fabric over the area overlapping seams by 6 inches, pin every 10 inches with landscape staples, cut X-slits for existing plants, then cover with 2–4 inches of gravel or mulch.

Should landscape fabric go under gravel?

Yes — landscape fabric under gravel helps prevent weeds from growing up through the gravel and prevents gravel from sinking into the soil over time. Use a woven fabric (not plastic sheeting) to allow water drainage.

Do you need to remove weeds before laying landscape fabric?

Yes, always. Landscape fabric suppresses new weeds from germinating, but established weeds will push through. Remove all weeds — including roots — before installation. Any remaining roots will find their way around the fabric.

How long does landscape fabric last?

Quality woven landscape fabric lasts 5–10 years when properly installed and covered with mulch or gravel. Cheap plastic sheeting degrades in 2–3 years. UV exposure without cover speeds up breakdown significantly.

Can you put landscape fabric over existing grass?

Yes, but you should kill the grass first with a non-selective herbicide or solarization. Simply laying fabric over living grass will slow it but won't kill it — aggressive grasses like Bermuda will find gaps.