Weed Mat Sounds Like a Good Idea, but…

Have you lived with weed mat, aka landscape fabric and had less than a stellar experience? Or perhaps thought it sounded too good to be true? Well, I’ve had the same thought, and experience. Who wouldn’t want a simple layer that can be added in the installation of your new landscape that doesn’t cost that much and promises to keep the weeds at bay? Unfortunately it’s not that simple and it’s not a panacea.

My mentor who I had the pleasure of working with when I was just learning the trade, wrote an engaging article that sums up my experience perfectly. She’s in California, so some plant species named are different here, but the rest of the information is relevant. Have a read and see what you think.

Here are the main points:

• Damages soil health
• Prevents moisture (rain or irrigation) from reaching the root zone of plants
• Shows through mulch and looks unattractive
• Arguably a product sold that makes the manufacturers, retailers, and installers money while not ultimately benefitting the end user or the earth
• Makes it difficult for plants to spread
• Inhibits living mulch
• Not friendly to the environment short or long-term
• Is often installed improperly constricting plants and girdling them (which can lead to decline or death)
• Encourages weed growth on top of the fabric that is more difficult to remove
• Weeds continue to grow below the fabric stealing moisture and nutrients from your plantings

To the glory of the garden!
Eva Montane
President of Columbine Landscapes Co