Landscape Fabric Guide

Landscape fabric is one of the most debated topics in landscaping. Used correctly, it prevents weeds under gravel driveways and paths for 15+ years. Used incorrectly — under mulch in planted beds — it becomes one of the hardest landscaping mistakes to fix.

The key rule: use woven geotextile fabric under gravel, never under mulch in planted beds. Under mulch, fabric blocks the soil benefits of decomposing organic matter, gets clogged with fine particles over 3–5 years, and eventually degrades into plastic fragments that are nearly impossible to remove.

Under gravel, fabric serves a genuine purpose: it separates the gravel from the soil layer, prevents gravel from sinking, and dramatically reduces weed germination. Use 3–4 oz woven polypropylene for paths and 4–6 oz heavy geotextile for driveways with vehicle traffic.