10 Best Landscape Fabrics To Beat The Worst Weeds in 2023
Weeding is inarguably one of the more agonizing garden chores. And anyone who has lost their Saturday trying to weed a lawn can vouch for this particular job lasting hours.
Worse, whenever you think you’ve vanquished the last weed, you find more.
Short of paving over your lawn, it’s a difficult problem to solve. Many people find that landscape fabrics offer an effective solution. They let your lawn thrive, but they keep weeds to a minimum.
That said, not all lawn fabrics are created equal. We researched the best landscape fabrics. Here’s what we found.
Key Takeaways
Winning the best overall landscape fabric for lawn care is EcoGardener Premium Weed Barrier. It’s a breathable lawn fabric that’s easy to install. But it’s not your only option.
For the budget-conscious, WAENLIR Heavy Duty landscape fabric is an affordable alternative that effectively controls moisture and is exceptionally durable.
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1. Best Overall Landscape Fabric: ECOgardener Premium 5oz Pro Garden Weed Barrier
ECOGardener’s lawn fabric roll is breathable but heavy-duty. It aims to retain as much moisture as possible so your plants and lawns can grow. Despite the fabric’s density, it is aerated enough to encourage plant and seed growth.
Customers agree that it’s easy to install, as all you need to do is unroll the lawn fabric and cut it to an appropriate size. Because the fabric is deliberately dense, you need high-caliber scissors or an effective knife. Customers also found you need to take your time and cut slowly for even edges.
For this fabric to be effective, you must secure it appropriately around the edge of your lawn. Otherwise, the edges could fray and weaken the fabric. Keep in mind it might also be tricky to tell which side of the lawn fabric is right side up. EcoGarden includes a 30-day guarantee, so if you aren’t happy with the product, they’ll refund you.
Pros:
- Comes in several sizes
- Easy to assemble
- 30-day refund guarantee
- Durable design
Cons:
- Hard to tell when right-side-up
- Edges fray if cut hastily or placed improperly around lawn edge
Type: 100% Polypropylene | Roll Size: 3ft x 50ft / 3ft x 100ft / 3ft x 250ft / 4ft x 50ft / 4ft x 100ft / 4ft x 250ft | UV Resistant: Yes | Thickness: 5oz Per Square Yard
2. Best Budget Landscape Fabric: WAENLIR Heavy Duty 3oz Weed Barrier
Some of the best landscape fabrics can be expensive. If you want a good budget-friendly option, WAENLIR is the solution.
It’s dramatically more affordable than other alternatives while still blocking weeds and aerating soil. The woven dual fabric layer stops weeds from penetrating the fabric’s surface, and it’s UV-stabilized to resist ripping and tearing.
As a bonus, it’s easy to assemble. Unroll the fabric, cut it to size, pin it as necessary, and your work is done. Customers advise you to take your time with the assembly because, like many landscape fabric rolls, it runs the risk of frayed edges and weakens the structural integrity of the fabric.
Pros:
- Dual weave prevents weeds from getting past the barrier
- Affordable
- UV-stabilized
Cons:
- Frays easily
- May tear if exposed to rocks/gravel or heavy foot traffic
Type: 100% Polypropylene | Roll Size: 3ft x 15ft / 3ft x 33ft / 3ft x 66ft / 4ft x 15ft / 4ft x 66ft / 6ft x 15ft / 6ft x 33ft | UV Resistant: Yes | Thickness: 3oz Per Square Yard
3. Best Landscape Fabric for Rocky Ground: Petgrow Heavy Duty Weed Barrier
Since not all the best landscape fabrics suit rocky ground, it’s worth mentioning one that does. If you prefer surrounding your plants with decorative rocks or just want to ensure your rock gardens are weed-free, Petgrow is an ideal solution.
This landscaping fabric meets these rocky challenges and can even be used as a layer for gravel driveways. Its eco-friendly material Polypropylene is the secret to its high durability, helping the structural integrity of your beds and lawn by reducing soil erosion. The result is more nutrient-rich soil and better plant and grass growth.
With nine different size options, there’s sure to be an option that suits your garden and budget. However, it’s important to note that some people had trouble with water-permeable through the needle-punched woven fabric.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Lasts up to five years
- Reduces soil erosion
Cons:
- Woven fabric
- May not be water permeable
Type: 100% Polypropylene | Roll Size: 3ft x 100ft / 3ft x 250ft / 3ft x 300ft / 4ft x 100ft / 4ft x 250ft / 4ft x 300ft / 5ft x 100ft / 5ft x 250ft / 5ft x 300ft | UV Resistant: Yes | Thickness: Unknown
4. Best Landscape Fabric Under Gravel: ArmorLay Commercial Grade Driveway Fabric
Not everyone has to contend with rocks, but many gardens, walkways, and playgrounds feature gravel. If that sounds familiar, ArmorLay is the landscape fabric you need.
It bills itself as the sturdiest and longest-lasting landscaping fabric available on Amazon-Guaranteed, according to ArmorLay. A big reason besides the guaranteed durability is that it reduces the likelihood of the potholes developing. So while it’s more expensive than some fabrics, it saves you money in the long run.
The company recommends using at least six inches of gravel over ArmorLay before placing anything heavy on top of it. It’s also worth noting that some customers found the durability and thickness led to draining issues and standing water.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty fabric that bears up under the weight of gravel/rocks
- Reduces erosion
- Prevents potholes
Cons:
- Expensive
- Difficulty draining
Type: Unknown | Roll Size: 6ft x 300ft / 12.5ft x 30ft / 12.5ft x 60ft | UV Resistant: Yes | Thickness: Unknown
5. Best Landscape Fabric for Weed Control: Snail Landscape Fabric
For many people, one of the primary reasons to investigate the best landscape fabric for gardens and driveways is weed control. It’s understandable because while it’s possible to eliminate weeds manually, it can be backbreaking work.
Snail Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric saves you from that. It’s a durable fabric with a long lifespan and affordability, too, so you can invest in large quantities without worrying about your bank balance.
The fabric lets enough moisture and nutrients through the barrier to keep your lawn healthy. It also features stripes, an unlikely detail but one many vegetable growers find helpful for aligning their plants. However, some customers found this landscaping fabric wasn’t thick enough to be effective. It’s important to survey how heavy your weed management needs are before investing in this landscape fabric.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Discourages weed growth
- Striped surface to easily align plants
Cons:
- Some customers found fabric too thin
- Can be difficult to pin in place without fraying edges
Type: 100% Polypropylene | Roll Size: 4ft x 100ft / 4ft x 300ft / 6ft x 300ft | UV Resistant: Yes | Thickness: 5oz Per Square Yard
6. Best Heavy Duty Landscape Fabric: Super Geotextile Non-Woven Landscape Fabric
Durability is essential when looking for the best landscape fabric, and Super Geotextile Landscape fabric is one of the most durable choices available.
It’s popular with gardeners who need a foundation for gardens with heavy traffic, especially surrounding walkways. It’s also ideal for riverbeds, where too much moisture is a concern. The fabric traps enough moisture to keep anything growing but makes an effective barrier against overwatering.
Many customers also have success with Super Geotextile when used on smaller projects, like grow bags. The water-resistant quality of the fabric is perfect for preventing root rot. However, it’s one of the more expensive landscape fabrics, and frustratingly, it’s also more susceptible to frayed edges than other fabrics on this list.
Pros:
- Withstands high levels of foot traffic
- Prevents overwatering and root rot
- Works on large and small projects
Cons:
- Expensive
- Edges fray quickly
Type: 100% Geotextile | Roll Size: 20 Options | UV Resistant: Yes | Thickness: 8oz Per Square Yard
7. Best Woven Landscape Fabric: Nature Scale Woven Weed Fabric
The best landscape fabric options fall into two distinct categories; Woven and non-woven. What you choose is a matter of taste, but some gardeners prefer a woven material because it’s easy to install and effectively blocks weeds but still promotes growth from seedlings.
Nature Scale’s landscape fabric also traps enough moisture to ensure the grass, flowers, and vegetables you plant to get the water they need without suffering from root rot. Because it’s breathable, plants still get the nutrients and moisture they need, but the thick and durable quality of the fabric means that weaker weeds struggle to penetrate the surface.
Pros:
- UV protected
- Easy to install
- Affordable
Cons:
- Frays easily
- Difficult to cut
Type: Woven Landscape Fabric | Roll Size: 3ft x 50ft | UV Resistant: Yes | Thickness: 30ml Per Square Yard
8. Best Landscape Fabric for Vegetable Garden: Greendale Heavy Duty Weed Barrier
Vegetables require a lot of effort to grow, so it’s understandable that you want a reliable landscaping fabric for the base of your garden.
The best landscape fabrics are versatile, but some are better suited to certain garden types than others. Greendale’s Weed Barriers are ideal for vegetable gardens because they’re smaller than other landscape fabrics.
They also come in multiple sizes per pack, making it convenient for gardeners with multiple beds or plots to cater to. It also eliminates the need for cutting and reduces the chance of frayed edges and weakened fabric structure. Greendale is so confident in its product that they offer a one-year warranty to buyers.
Pros:
- Multiple sizes
- Easy to use
- One year warranty
Cons:
- Not thick enough for all customers
- Some customers report a chemical smell on fabric
Type: Heavy-duty Landscape Fabric | Roll Size: 3ft x 10ft / 3ft x 100ft / 4ft x 10ft / 4ft x 25ft | UV Resistant: Yes | Thickness: 5.4oz Per Square Yard
9. Best Eco-Friendly Landscape Fabric: Flarmor Non-Woven Landscape Fabric
Flamor’s landscape fabric is one of the few eco-friendly landscape fabrics available. It’s also an effective heavy-duty fabric that keeps weeds out of your garden. The effective heavy-duty fabric keeps weeds out of your garden and biodegrades when you decide to dispose of it. It improves the integrity of your soil by preventing erosion, leading to healthier plants and more nutrient-rich soil.
It’s flexible and works just as effectively in a vegetable garden as under your lawn.
However, it doesn’t mention a warranty or refund for dissatisfied customers. That’s encouraging but is frustrating if this lawn fabric doesn’t work out.
Pros:
- Resistant to tearing/damage from rocks and stones
- Environmentally friendly
- Versatile
Cons:
- Expensive
- No warranty mentioned
Type: Heavy-duty Landscape Fabric | Roll Size: 3ft x 300ft / 4ft x 100ft / 6ft x 300ft | UV Resistant: Yes | Thickness: 1.8oz Per Square Yard
10. Best Landscape Fabric for Large Areas: Mutual WF200 Woven Geotextile
If you need to undertake a large-scale gardening project, the best landscape fabric for you is Mutual WF200 Polyethylene Geotextile Fabric.
A featured benefit is that it can withstand up to 75 lbs of weight before it shows signs of stress or tearing. For that reason, it’s especially popular as a base layer in gravel driveways. It also comes in much larger sizes than other lawn fabrics, making it well-suited to more ambitious gardening projects.
Unlike other landscape fabrics, Mutual WF200 doesn’t have the same inbuilt features as fabrics built to discourage weeds. So, effective though it is, it may not be suitable for you if weeds are your primary concern.
Pros:
- Durable
- Minimal fraying
- Water-resistant
Cons:
- Not guaranteed to prevent weeds
- Expensive
Type: 100% Polypropylene | Roll Size: 6ft x 300ft | UV Resistant: Yes | Thickness: Unknown
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What to Look for When Buying The Best Landscape Fabric
Durability
First and foremost, you want a landscape fabric that will last. That’s doubly true if you need to cover a large area. The assembly process is rarely complicated. But it can be fussy, and you don’t want to be repainting landscape fabric every summer.
Thickness varies depending on the make and model, so carefully consider where you want to put your landscape fabric. Foot traffic is higher on a driveway than in a flower bed, and that informs your final decision.
Roll Size
The size and scale of your project also affect your choice. If you need to cover a large area, look for landscape fabrics that come in multiple sizes.
Depending on how big an area you must cover, one roll of fabric may not be enough. You should also consider how liable the edges are to fraying and how difficult some fabrics are to pin in place. That will give you a sense of how big a fabric roll you need and how much area it covers.
UV Resistance and Chemical Treatment
Finally, always double-check the UV resistance of any landscape fabric. Many landscape fabrics are black, so they naturally attract sunlight. The last thing you want is to heat-wilt your grass while killing off weeds.
It’s also worth considering that sometimes these fabrics are chemically treated to help manage weeds. That’s effective but not as eco-friendly as other options and can also be detrimental to your soil. Even if the fabric lasts five years, be prepared to change the topsoil more often than you might otherwise.
Final Verdict
There are many excellent landscape fabrics available on this list, but we found the best overall was EcoGardener Premium Weed Barrier. It’s a durable but breathable fabric that helps stabilize soil, trap moisture, and keep your lawn aerated while preventing weeds from growing.
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FAQs
What is landscape fabric made of?
Typically, landscape fabric is either woven or non-woven polyester or polypropylene. Both are effective weed barriers, but the thickness can affect the fabric’s drainage and durability. That’s why you should always read the product guide carefully before committing to a particular landscape fabric.
How to lay down landscape fabric
To position landscape fabric, unroll it in the area you want it to go. When it’s flat, cut it to size using suitable tools. Hold the fabric in place using either metal staples, pins, rocks, dirt, or gravel. Keep in mind that the more firmly you pin the fabric in place, the longer it lasts.
How to cut landscape fabric
Despite being thick, landscape fabric can be cut with heavy-duty scissors, shears, or an effective knife. However, we recommend going slowly to minimize fraying along the fabric edges.
