Should I Put Down Weed Ground Cover When Plants Are Already Planted?
Landscape fabric is a long-term solution for controlling weeds in flower beds or around trees and shrubs. It is made of a permeable material that allows air and water to pass through, but not sunlight, so germination of weed seeds cannot occur. It is most often installed before landscaping plants are added. However, it can be installed after the plants are already planted. Does this Spark an idea?
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Preparation
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Remove any existing mulch from the planting area with a rake or hoe. Large pieces of organic matter, such as bark mulch, deplete the soil of valuable nitrogen the plants need as they decay under the landscape fabric. This happens because tiny organisms breaking down the large mulch pieces consume the nitrogen in order to survive.
Spread a 1- to 2-inch layer of well-rotted compost over the planting area. The rotted compost helps provide nourishment to the soil by adding organic matter. It will not use valuable nitrogen, because it is already broken down. The compost is added because organic matter will not be able to reach the soil once the landscape fabric is installed.
Lay the Fabric Correctly
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Landscape fabric has a different texture on each side. One side is slick and the other is fuzzy. The fuzzy side always goes face down. It is designed this way so that it adheres to the soil and water passes through it easily.
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Cutting the Landscape Fabric
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To start, cut large sections of landscape fabric to cover as much area as possible. There needs to be 6 inches of space between the landscape fabric and all perennials and trees. A 1- to 2-inch space is appropriate for annuals. Overlap the fabric 6 inches to ensure good coverage. Cut smaller sections to fill in the sections between plants. Cut the smaller sections large enough so there is the appropriate overlap of 6 inches. Push landscape fabric pins, also known as staples, into the landscape fabric and soil every 1 to 3 feet. The staples hold the fabric in place so it does not slide or blow away.
Adding Mulch
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Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the landscape fabric to hold it in place. The mulch also prevents weed seeds from germinating on the top of the landscape fabric as dirt is washed over the surface. Mulch keeps the soil cool underneath the landscape fabric and conserves moisture.
Adding New Plants
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Add new plants to the planting area by pulling back the mulch and cutting a hole in the landscape fabric with a pair of sharp heavy-duty scissors. If planting perennials, the hole should be wide enough that 6 inches of bare soil is exposed on each side of the plant. This will give the plant room to develop. For annuals or seeds, the hole can be much smaller, depending on the mature size of the plant.
If a plant dies, or is removed, cut a piece of landscape fabric large enough to overlap the existing fabric by 6 inches. Secure the patch with staples and cover with the mulch layer.
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