By Emily How, Horticulture agent

NDSU Extension – Ward County

Weeds are always a problem in the garden or an ornamental landscape. There are always more weeds than there is time to weed, and with the amount of rain that we have received as of late, they are growing, well, like weeds.

As a solution to the weed problem, many gardeners will turn to weed barriers to prevent them from emerging. There are many types of weed barriers: landscape fabric (woven and nonwoven), mulch and cardboard, just to name the most common. Of these, landscape fabric has the worst reputation by far. Claims of poor permeability for both water and air, difficult maintenance, removal issues, disposal problems and reduced soil fertility – why is this even an option at garden centers?

Before we are too hard on all landscape fabric, I should mention that there is a difference between woven and nonwoven fabrics and plastic sheeting. Plastic sheeting, or simply sheets of plastic, has been discouraged from use in landscapes since around the 1990s. Meanwhile, nonwoven and woven landscape fabrics are still widely available. Both fabric types are made from polypropylene, allowing water and air to permeate the fabric and reach the soil. Nonwoven landscape fabric has a feltlike texture created by heat-bonding or needle-punching the fibers together. Woven fabrics have interlocked fibers, creating greater strength and durability.

Both types have a purpose in the garden. When I started my garden and needed to remove a heavy weed bed, I opted for the nonpermeable plastic sheeting to kill all the weeds in the area. However, when I was done with this step, I replaced it with the more permeable, nonwoven landscape fabric to help keep the weeds down during the first two growing seasons in that new location. After the second season, I felt that the fabric had served its purpose and it was removed.

Here is where the problem with landscape fabric lies: it is not meant to be used as a long-term solution for weed control. Over time, organic material can build up on the fabric, creating an environment for weeds to germinate. Some weeds, such as thistles and dandelions, have a strong taproot that can break through the fabric. And because of the fabric, these weeds can sometimes be more difficult to pull, as they are held in place by it.

Every year, the Ward County Master Gardener group lays woven landscape fabric for the Hunger Free Garden. This garden grows all summer with minimal weeding requirements and at the end of the season the fabric is removed and stored for use the following year. This is sustainable for a group of volunteers, but because I have more time to dedicate to my garden – which is also half the size of the Hunger Free Garden – I have replaced the landscape fabric with wood mulch.

There is no perfect solution for keeping a weed-free landscape. Know that each type of weed barrier has a downfall — even wood mulch, compost or leaves can lead to different problems. Whether it’s a fabric weed barrier or a natural mulch, all are acceptable options and serve their intended purpose. So, when shopping at the garden center, consider your garden needs to determine the best weed barrier option.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – July 7, 2026

Source: Emily How, 701-857-6444, emily.how@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu