How to Install Landscape Cloth

Overview

Landscape cloth, or landscape fabric, is made of woven synthetic material that blocks sunlight to kill weed seeds and seedlings on the soil beneath it. The landscape cloth controls weed growth while still allowing water and air to flow through the fabric. The barrier also helps control soil erosion by holding the soil in place. You can use landscape fabric around plants, trees and shrubs, covering the fabric layer with pea gravel or mulch.

Step 1

Pull out or hoe away weeds or grasses to prepare the area. Remove all debris, including rocks and twigs, and then rake the soil to smooth it out. Water the soil to moisten evenly.

Step 2

Cut the landscape cloth to size. Unroll it and lay it on top of the garden area, and cut slits or holes in the fabric large enough through which to fit existing plants or those you'll be planting.

Step 3

Trim the landscape fabric to fit the landscape area. Cut the length and width to size, and trim the cloth so that it is inside the contours of the planting bed.

Step 4

Cut to enlarge any plant holes in the landscape cloth to allow enough room for the stems to widen as they grow.

Step 5

Insert landscape staples spaced about 12 inches apart along the edges of the landscape fabric. Insert landscape staples around the plant cutout holes to secure the cloth around the stems.

Step 6

Spread a 2-inch layer of mulch over the landscape cloth to cover it. You shouldn't see any of the landscape cloth when you're finished.