Landscape fabric is the best weed barrier for keeping yard & garden weeds-free.
No matter how much time you love spending in your garden, in the midst of nature, absolutely nobody likes weeding their backyard. It’s an extremely arduous and monotonous task that people can’t seem to ignore.
Having a busy work life makes it even harder to maintain your beautiful garden. I was suffering from this issue for a long time and desperately needed a solution.
That’s when the best landscape fabrics came to my rescue. Don’t be fooled by my positivity though. It took me quite a while to pick out the best from all the options.
The fake advertisements with those empty promises didn’t make it any easier.
So, to make sure my peers don’t ever struggle like me, I have reviewed the leading landscape fabric brands in today’s article.
Table of Contents
- Landscape fabric is the best weed barrier for keeping yard & garden weeds-free.
- What is Landscape Fabric?
- What Are the Different Types of Landscape Fabric?
- What is Landscape Fabric Used for?
- Why Should You Use Landscape Fabric?
- How Much Does Landscape Fabric Cost?
- Things to Consider Before Buying Landscape Fabrics
- Top 10 Best Landscape Fabrics Reviews
- 1. Southwest Boulder & Stone Non-Woven Commercial Landscape Fabric
- 2. Ecogardener 5oz Heavy Duty Professional Grade Landscaping Fabric
- 3. Dewitt Sunbelt Landscape Fabric | Woven Ground Cover Fabric
- 4. FLARMOR 12′ by 250′ Woven Landscape Fabric
- 5. Happybuy Geotextile Ground Cover Fabric
- 6. Dewitt Pro 5 Landscape Weed Barrier Fabric
- 7. HOOPLE Ultra Thick Garden Weed Blocker Cloth
- 8. WAENLIR Heavy Duty Landscape Ground Cover Fabric
- 9. AHG Garden 20 Year Premium Black Landscaping Fabric
- 10. Scotts Pro Landscape Fabric- 25-years
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words:
Our Top Picks:
- Best Commercial: Southwest Boulder & Stone Landscape Fabric
- Best Professional: Ecogardener Landscaping Fabric
- Best for Garden: Dewitt Sunbelt Landscape Fabric
- Best Heavy Duty: FLARMOR Landscaping Fabric
- Best Geotextile: Happybuy Geotextile Ground Cover
- Best Overall: Dewitt Pro 5 Landscape Weed Barrier
- Best for Flower Bed: HOOPLE Ultra Thick Weed Blocker
- Best for Garden: WAENLIR Landscape Ground Cover
- Best for The Money: AHG Garden Fabric
- Best for Walkways: Scotts Pro Landscape Fabric
What is Landscape Fabric?
Landscape fabric is a fabric made out of synthetic or recyclable fiber, and it is the most efficient way of restricting weed growth in your garden. It eliminates the use of harmful chemicals for removing weeds from your garden.
Landscape fabrics restrict weed growth consistently by blocking sunlight and other essential nutrients they need to thrive. They are usually made from thick polypropylene that blocks UV rays.
These fabrics contain tiny holes that let some of the water through. This feature keeps the ground weed-free and moisturized at the same time.
What Are the Different Types of Landscape Fabric?
There are four different types of landscape fabrics on the market. They each have their own benefits and qualities.
- Non-woven: Non-woven landscape fabric is primarily suitable for gravel landscapes.
- Perforated: Perforated landscape fabric is perfect for gardens, including multiple plants.
- Woven: Woven landscape fabric is the most suitable choice for covering flowerbeds.
- Spun: Spun landscape fabric keeps away harmful bugs and insects.
What is Landscape Fabric Used for?
Landscape fabrics are mostly used for restricting unnecessary weed growth in the backyard. They largely contribute to the soil’s health and help the soil stay fertile.
Why Should You Use Landscape Fabric?
The sole purpose of landscape fabric is to keep weed growth at a minimum. It simultaneously boosts the growth of shrubs and plants in your garden.
The landscape fabrics can also enhance the look of your garden and help you align the plants.
How Much Does Landscape Fabric Cost?
The landscape fabrics can cost anywhere between 110 and 120 dollars. If you are looking for an even more durable one, then you should be prepared to spend around 155 dollars.
Hiring a professional landscaper can cost you up to 55 dollars.
Things to Consider Before Buying Landscape Fabrics
Although you can easily find landscape fabrics online, that doesn’t mean you should make a purchase right away. Besides knowing what the best brands are, there are still some factors to consider.
These factors will help you get the best off your purchase.
Material
The very first thing you need to look out for is the type of material the landscape fabric is made of. This will determine how well the fabric can hold up against harsh weather conditions.
Keep in mind that the thicker the material, the longer it will last. Polypropylene is the best type of material for this purpose.
It’s extremely durable and can last a very long time without tearing. The thickness of the material is also important.
If the landscaping fabric isn’t thick enough, weeds can still receive the necessary nutrients to grow. You should also make sure the fabric has enough holes to let water in for your plants.
However, just because a weed blocker is thick doesn’t mean it’s good for the soil.
It must contain multiple needle punch holes that you can’t see with the naked eye. Black fabrics are mostly recommended for their ability to block sunlight.
UV Blocking Fabrics
Not all landscape fabrics are suitable for the outdoors. Do you know why?
It’s because their materials can’t block harmful sunlight. You must pick a landscape fabric that doesn’t deteriorate due to sun exposure.
Otherwise, it won’t be fit for outdoor use. This will decrease their efficiency as the years go by.
Easy Installation
Nobody wants to waste money on a professional landscaper just to install their weed blocker. Trust me when I tell you nothing can save your hard-earned money like an easy-to-install landscape fabric.
It’s wise to buy one of these weed blockers, even if it costs a bit more at the beginning. You will end up saving a lot more in the long run.
There are some weed blockers out there that require a minimal amount of effort to install. Just roll them out on the ground, and pour some mulch on top.
And please try not to go overboard with the mulch.
Top 10 Best Landscape Fabrics Reviews
I am aware that it can be pretty challenging to find the ideal products with all the options in this day and age. Hence I carefully prepared a shortlist of the best landscaping fabric for your convenience.
1. Southwest Boulder & Stone Non-Woven Commercial Landscape Fabric
I picked the most exclusive landscape fabric to start off this list with a bang. The manufacturers built this landscape fabric with the sole purpose of retaining your backyard’s elegant look.
It’s made from the most durable material that protects it from wearing out due to environmental factors. You won’t notice any wear and tear even after several years.
If you want to keep your yard in top-notch condition, this is the ideal choice for you. The non-woven fabric hinders the growth of weeds in your garden.
It’s a surefire way of maintaining your yard without spending hours on the lawnmower. This landscape fabric is also extremely versatile.
You place it on a slope as well as on the hillside. Everyone can enjoy its benefits, even if your yard is steep. Multiple gardeners use it across the world to prevent weed growth.
You can easily install it on the ground with the help of landscape staples.
Pros:
- Extremely versatile
- Very easy to install
- Made from non-woven fabric
- Retains the natural look in your yard
- Suitable for slopes
Cons:
- Moderately expensive
2. Ecogardener 5oz Heavy Duty Professional Grade Landscaping Fabric
This landscape fabric is for those of you with an immensely large backyard full of weeds. It allows you to cover an extended space with just one sheet of fabric.
They built this landscaping fabric to reduce weed growth as well as promote plant growth. You will rarely find a premium quality item like this these days.
It’s extremely eco-friendly and is jam-packed with features. One thing that sets it apart from others is how easy it is to install.
You no longer have to spend any extra bucks on hiring a professional. DIY veterans can install it within a short time.
Even though it blocks weeds, the fabric doesn’t let in ample amounts of water. This is the perfect way to keep your yard moisturized and fertile.
It also lets in enough air for the bushes and shrubs to grow to their natural length. With this heavy-duty landscape fabric at your disposal, you can protect your garden from weeds for years on end. This is mainly due to its sturdy material.
Pros:
- Suitable for large backyards
- Easy to install
- It lets enough water through
- Enriches the soil
- Blocks weed relentlessly
Cons:
- Instructions could be more detailed
3. Dewitt Sunbelt Landscape Fabric | Woven Ground Cover Fabric
You won’t usually find a landscape fabric made from a sturdier material than this one. This is an excellent choice if you own a greenhouse and are struggling to keep the weeds at bay.
It’s made from 3.2-ounce polypropylene that doesn’t wear out easily. It’s the best option to keep your yard safe for multiple years.
Most people end up spending a lot of money on landscape fabrics due to their weak construction. Thankfully, that is not something you need to worry about.
Moreover, this woven landscape fabric is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The material can’t be deterred by regular sun exposure.
This feature is rare in landscape fabrics and can save a lot of money and time in the future. It’s an all-weather fabric that boosts plant growth by restricting weed production.
The yard soil will still receive the necessary nutrients and air because of its revolutionary design.
On top of that, you will notice strips marked on every 12 inches of this landscape fabric. It allows you to keep your plants in order in the backyard.
Pros:
- Made from 3.2-ounce polypropylene
- Suitable for both indoors and outdoors
- Helps you align plants
- Boosts plant growth
- UV resistant
Cons:
- The grass might grow through in some odd cases
4. FLARMOR 12′ by 250′ Woven Landscape Fabric
If you are looking for long-lasting protection and a decent range, then look no further than this versatile landscape fabric. The 3×300 feet dimensions make it perfect for small patches of weed in the garden.
This is one of the few landscape fabrics on this list that has elastic properties. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not highly durable.
It is also designed to let water through its tiny holes. This will allow you to enrich your garden’s soil by simultaneously reducing weed growth.
Now you can also ensure the garden soil is getting the required nutrients. This one-of-a-kind landscape fabric enables you to battle soil erosion as well.
Even during different seasons, it makes your backyard lively. Multiple landscapers across the world recommend this fabric for its durable construction.
The durable material isn’t affected by acids and bases in the soil.
Pros:
- Elastic material
- Suitable for small gardens
- Made from highly durable material
- Easily withstands climate change
- Measures up to 3×300 feet
Cons:
- It might shrink over time
5. Happybuy Geotextile Ground Cover Fabric
Nothing says immense coverage like a landscape fabric that can cover up to 1800 square feet. Yes, you heard it right!
This 6×300 feet ground fabric can protect entire yards on its own. Gone are the days of buying multiple sheets of landscape fabrics to cover your massive garden.
The landscape fabric passively improves soil health and acts as a safeguard. You will barely notice any weed growth once you install it in your backyard.
Unlike most landscape fabrics, it comes with a highly permeable material. This means that you don’t need to remove the fabric to keep the ground moisturized.
It keeps the ground supple and fresh while letting in plenty of air. You can experience these benefits throughout the year without any signs of tear.
The carefully placed strips on the fabric help you align your plants. It’s easy to install and works efficiently in different types of conditions.
Also, it’s a perfect fabric for making grow bags because it has excellent drainage. If you use this fabric as a grow bag, it will help to prevent root rot(because it has an excellent drainage feature).
Pros:
- Can cover 1800 square feet of land
- Reduces weed growth significantly
- Highly permeable material
- Keeps the ground moist
- Carefully placed 12-inch strips
Cons:
- It can create a mess during installation
6. Dewitt Pro 5 Landscape Weed Barrier Fabric
At number 6, I am going to review one of the best heavy-duty weed barriers out there. It doesn’t take away your garden’s charm.
The fabric rather enhances the yard’s look and essence. Although it’s only suitable for outdoor use, you can also place it in your greenhouse.
The landscape fabric is made from woven polypropylene, which makes it a force to be reckoned with. They have also painted this landscape fabric black to keep out most of the sunlight.
This feature enables it to keep weed growth at its lowest. Moreover, it’s manufactured with needle punch holes.
These holes are almost invisible to the naked eye, but it’s enough to let in water and nutrients to the soil. Each of these weed barriers goes through hydrophilic treatment that promotes soil health.
Its Chinese manufacturers use multiple-layer technology to completely restrict weed growth.
Pros:
- Made from woven polypropylene
- Includes needle punch holes
- Blocks most of the sunlight
- Multiple layer technology
- Made in China
Cons:
- Comparatively expensive
7. HOOPLE Ultra Thick Garden Weed Blocker Cloth
In case you want to save your precious time reinstalling weed blockers every year, you should consider looking at this model. It’s made from an extremely durable material that doesn’t wear out even after several years.
Just install it once in your backyard or garden, and say goodbye to annoying weeds. The installation process is fairly simple.
Anyone with some DIY knowledge can install it within a matter of minutes. And that’s all the effort you need to put in for the rest of the year.
It’s an excellent choice if you have flower beds in your yard. The material prevents weed growth with utmost efficiency.
Moreover, it doesn’t contain any chemicals that can harm your soil. Instead, it makes sure only the plants in your garden receive the nutrients from the soil.
The landscape fabric improves air circulation in the soil. This reduces the chances of soil erosion. Even the harshest sunrays can’t affect this weed blocker.
Pros:
- Easy application process
- Reduces the chances of soil erosion
- Suitable for flowerbeds
- Extremely durable
- Improves air circulation in plants
Cons:
- It might tear after a few years
8. WAENLIR Heavy Duty Landscape Ground Cover Fabric
No other landscape fabric can block UV rays like this model. Due to this feature, weed growth remains at a minimum in your backyard.
You can design your landscape regardless of how steep your soil is. Even the material used in its construction is state of the art.
They only used non-toxic materials to manufacture this weed blocker. This allows you to prevent soil erosion and boost plant growth.
It’s a surefire way to make sure the weed in your yard can’t leech off the nutrients in the soil. Apart from that, the landscape fabric is suitable for various outdoor projects.
The weed-blocking fabric allows water to seep through despite its thickness. The material is permeable enough to let air into the soil.
This strengthens the roots of the trees in your yard. It’s completely waterproof, so you can water the soil as much as you want.
Pros:
- It allows the soil to take in air
- No toxic chemicals included
- Blocks UV rays
- Allows the ground to receive nutrient
- Enhanced thickness
Cons:
- Relatively pricey
9. AHG Garden 20 Year Premium Black Landscaping Fabric
As the last product on this list, I have chosen a landscape fabric that will serve you for 20 years. It can keep your gardens free of weeds without ruining the soil in the process.
Just imagine how efficiently it can enrich your soil and enhance plant growth. The 3×300 feet fabric is enough to cover large landscapes.
It’s made from the thickest material for utmost durability. However, it means you might need to water the soil a little bit more than usual.
But that’s a fair trade-off if you want a landscape fabric to last up to 20 years. The weed blocker works efficiently even when you cover it with multiple layers of dirt and mulch.
They designed this landscaping fabric to block more UV light than its competitors. The weeds barely gain any nutrients to grow once you install this fabric.
And it barely takes any to install, especially if you are a DIY specialist.
Pros:
- Lasts up to 20 years
- Keeps the soil rich and fertile
- 3×300 feet fabric
- Fast installation process
- Thick and durable material
Cons:
- Some holes are too big
10. Scotts Pro Landscape Fabric- 25-years
This Scotts Landscape Fabric is our last pick, but it’s yet another perfect fabric for weed control.
The Scotts Pro Fabric is not that thick and heavy, but it’s a heavy-duty fabric to prevent weeds from the yard.
It’s one of the long-lasting fabric options for keeping weeds away.
The fabric is thin & lightweight, but it’s a medium-quality, heavy-duty weed barrier fabric. Therefore, it’s a non-woven fabric, perfect for walkways, driveways, home yards, and more.
However, this fabric has excellent water drainage and stays well in the sun, and it’s cheap. Also, it keeps even hard weeds away from the yard. Some people say that it doesn’t let the water, air, and nutrients pass through properly.
So, I don’t recommend it to use in your garden- you can use this fabric in your backyard, patio, walkways, and home yard.
Pros:
- It’s an inexpensive option
- It’s lightweight but heavy-duty
- Keeps the yard weed-free for a long time
- Provides heavy-duty weed protection
- It can last up to 25 years
Cons:
- It’s not an ideal option for garden and flower beds
- No other cons are available
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of landscape fabric is best?
Woven polypropylene is the most durable type of material you can find for a landscape fabric. They are usually very long-lasting and thick. Perforated landscape fabrics are also good for blooming gardens.
Is it better to use landscape fabric or plastic?
Landscape fabric is more durable than plastic and more efficient at blocking weed growth. However, they tend to be more expensive. Fabrics don’t include any BPA as plastics do.
What works better than landscape fabrics?
Compost and shredded leaves are good natural substitutes for landscape fabrics. You can also rely on bark mulches and wood chips to serve the same purpose. Keep in mind that the effect might not be as significant as landscape fabrics.
Are there different grades of landscape fabric?
Yes, there is a wide variety of landscape fabrics available on the market. Each comes with a different type of material and weaves. Some are durable and long-lasting, while others are lightweight.
Cardboard can also be used to keep weed at bay, but they are nowhere near as durable as landscape fabrics.
Final Words:
It’s safe to say that this is more than the information you need to choose the best landscape fabric for you. Make sure you pick the right length of weed blocker for your garden.
Otherwise, you might end up spending more money than you need to. I hope your garden thrives like mine for several years to come. Best of luck!