| When using landscaping fabric, preparing the | | | | |
| project grounds is just as important as the | | | | Once the weed barrier is in place, you'll |
| quality of materials you use. While a lot of | | | | only be able to add top surface applied |
| people will lay weed barrier directly over | | | | chemical fertilizers and you won't be able to |
| existing or barely prepared area, the best | | | | work the soil. Of course, you can add |
| performance and longest lasting results are | | | | amendments to each plant hole as you plant |
| more likely with good preparation. | | | | it. However, it's time consuming, messy, and |
| | | | doesn't extend beyond the root zone of the |
| To Start | | | | plant. |
| | | | |
| Measure and mark the area. Most professionals | | | | Use a rotor tiller or spade to turn in the |
| use inverted marking paint but you can also | | | | amendments and nutrients 4 to 6 inches into |
| use string, sticks, rocks, hose, or whatever | | | | the soil surface. Remove stones, sticks, |
| you have available. Buy or order your | | | | debris, and break up clods. Rake the surface |
| landscape fabric to make sure it's on hand | | | | area smooth. |
| when you start your project. | | | | |
| | | | Install Watering System |
| Remove all vegetation | | | | |
| | | | If you have an idea of where your plants are |
| Once your project areas are measured and | | | | going to be and you plan to have an automatic |
| marked, remove all vegetation. Depending on | | | | drip sprinkler system, now is the time to |
| the area you're working on, there are several | | | | place it. Lay out your main feeder hose and |
| ways to remove plants and vegetation. | | | | run drip tube and emitters to where your |
| | | | plants will be. If you plan on a bubbler |
| In lawn areas that are to be covered and / or | | | | system, it should have been installed before |
| become planting areas, we most always do a | | | | the area was manicured. |
| double application of a non-selective | | | | |
| herbicide such as round up. Make sure the | | | | Installing The Fabric |
| area is actively growing, spray the herbicide | | | | |
| as directed, and then let it do its work. In | | | | The easiest way to do this is to lay the |
| 5 to 7 days after the application, start | | | | barrier out first before you plant your |
| watering the area to encourage the growth of | | | | plants. Some folks recommend you use securing |
| what may have survived and any seeds that may | | | | pins to hold the material in place. It is an |
| be viable. Repeat the herbicide application. | | | | option. However, if you'd rather save the |
| You may also want to repeat again if | | | | expense, you can hold down the edges with the |
| necessary. | | | | groundcover you intend to use. We usually |
| | | | just place sacks or piles of mulch, rock, or |
| In some cases we use a sod cutter to remove | | | | other groundcover around the edges and spread |
| the top few inches of lawn. Generally, this | | | | it out after we're done planting. |
| is after we have killed all the weeds and it | | | | |
| is mostly done to recess the area and make | | | | I've also seen a few people plant the plants |
| room for mulch, rocks, or other groundcover. | | | | first and then fit it over the tops of the |
| | | | plants. This is usually hard on the |
| I have seen other professionals install | | | | vegetation, breaks branches, and is very time |
| landscaping fabric over areas that were only | | | | consuming. |
| sod cut but not killed with an herbicide. I | | | | |
| don't recommend it. Sod cutters only cut off | | | | You can use a sharp knife or utility razor to |
| the top surface of the grass and really do | | | | cut the cloth but the best and easiest way |
| nothing for killing the roots. This could be | | | | we've found to cut long runs is to use a |
| a future problem if you have deep rooted | | | | sharp pair of scissors. And instead of |
| aggressive weeds or grasses such as Bermuda. | | | | working the scissors, hold them half open to |
| | | | where the blades form a "V". Hold the |
| For non-lawn and old flower bed areas, you | | | | material where both blades in the "V" meet |
| can use the herbicide method mentioned above. | | | | and push them through the cloth. |
| And for all areas including lawn areas, you | | | | |
| can use the herbicide method or solorization. | | | | Planting |
| | | | |
| Solarization is basically baking the soil and | | | | Mark your plant area or set out plants to get |
| exposing it to extremely high temperatures | | | | a visual. Use a sharp knife, razor, or |
| that kill weed seeds and vegetation. This | | | | scissors and cut an "x" in the fabric the |
| process is very simple and works very well | | | | size of your pot or root ball. Don't cut the |
| but takes the longest to do. | | | | pot size out. Just cut the "x" and fold the |
| | | | flaps under. Make the hole. Place and plant |
| Prepare The Soil | | | | the plant correctly. Gently place the flaps |
| | | | up next to the plant. |
| If you plan on planting plants in areas where | | | | |
| you install the fabric, you need to work in | | | | Now place 2 to 4 inches of your chosen |
| soil amendments and nutrients before | | | | groundcover over the area making sure to hold |
| installation. If possible, and I do | | | | down the cut flaps and keep them in place. |
| recommend, use organic slow release nutrients | | | | |
| and compost. You should also test the Ph of | | | | Cut off any excess landscaping fabric around |
| the soil and add lime or sulfur in the right | | | | the edges making sure it stays tight around |
| amounts if needed. | | | | the edges. |