6 Reasons Why Landscape Fabric Is Such a Bad Idea—and What to Use Instead

Landscape fabric is often touted as the best way to keep weeds out of your yard—in reality, however, this material has many downsides. Introducing these synthetic materials to your garden can significantly disrupt natural cycles, potentially harming the microflora in the soil.

Before applying landscape fabric to your yard, it's worth considering other options. Here are six reasons to second-guess this material, plus a few expert-approved solutions that will do the job instead—and help your garden thrive.

Kills Soil Microflora

Soil is home to a myriad of beneficial microorganisms, arthropods, and other minute animals that are essential to the plant’s root health. All of these tiny, essential superpowers rely on soil micropores to breathe in and out.

“If synthetic landscape fabric is laid on top, it disrupts the natural gas exchange and increases temperature during the summer, killing them in the long run,” says Melvin Cubian, an expert from PlantIn app.

Introduces Microplastics

Many landscape coverings are fabricated using plastics that are susceptible to degradation.

“Little by little, these tiny bits of plastics can contaminate the soil, enter through water beds, and then make it through rivers before drifting to the oceans,” says Cubian. “As a result, they are consumed accidentally by marine wildlife and may end up in our bodies.”

Kim Zimmerman, master gardener and owner of Rowdy Poppy, agrees. “Don't waste your money on things that actually cause harm to our environment,” she warns. “In our gardens, nature knows what to do and how to be healthy. Adding plastic might feel convenient in the short run, but it's definitely more harmful long term.”

Disrupts Natural Cycles

When physical barriers like landscape fabric are in place, dead plant materials, such as leaves, can't reach the soil.

“This blocks the natural deposition of macronutrients like nitrogen through the decomposition process,” Cubian says. “Additionally, the lack of water seepage can slow this process down, which further affects soil biology."

Compacts Soil

Because the soil layer beneath the synthetic fabric is locked in, water rarely penetrates the material, depriving it of the biological activity that makes the soil more crumbly.

“Additionally, the water in the soil pores can dry out over time, contributing to the compaction,” Cubian says. “If there is enough foot traffic, this can further compress the soil.”

Inconveniences Future Projects

Once landscape fabric is installed and covered with mulch or rock, adding or removing plants becomes a frustrating chore. “You have to cut through layers of fabric,” Cubian warns, “which often gets tangled in roots or tools.” 

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Doesn't Do Its Job

Landscape fabrics are designed to suppress weeds, but this purpose is rather short-term.

“With time and the accumulation of organic matter on top, weed seeds may germinate and take over your garden instantaneously,” Cubian says. “Additionally, some aggressive weeds can tear through the fabric—especially if there is an unsealed or damaged gap in the mat.”

Alternatives to Landscape Fabric

Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives that will help suppress weeds in your garden. Feel free to experiment to find the method that works best.

Cardboard 

Remove as many weeds as you can, Zimmerman suggests, and use a broadfork, shovel, or other strong tool to gently break up the top layer of soil, allowing for aeration and water to penetrate it. Don't actually turn the soil. 

Then, Zimmerman suggests placing clean cardboard over the area you want to plant and soaking it thoroughly with a hose. Top that with a healthy mix of new soil and compost that's 6 to 12 inches deep. 

“Plant your new beauties right into that, water them really well, and let nature do its thing,” she says. “The cardboard will help smother weeds and eventually break down completely, allowing the microorganisms and beneficial critters to keep the soil healthy."

Mulch

Mulch and compost is an effective way to keep the soil loose and easy to work with—something that landscape fabric fails to do.

“This makes seasonal replanting much simpler and relatively less laborious and time-consuming,” says Cubian.  “Using biodegradable materials like wood mulch provides enough carbon source for the microorganisms to feed on, helping the soil become more loose and airy.”

Sawdust or Chip Wood Bark

Instead of using a synthetic material to repel weeds, try using a natural one. “Blanketing your garden with a thick organic cover like sawdust or chip wood bark—about 2 to 4 inches thick—is a more efficient weed control method,” says Cubian.