I recently set up a brand new flower garden in my yard. After digging up the sod, I laid down a weed barrier and added some good soil with flowers. However, I'm shocked by how many weeds keep popping up. This wasn't cheap stuff from the dollar store; I bought a more expensive version from Home Depot. Is it normal to struggle with weeds even with a barrier in place? Are they just an unavoidable issue? Or could I have done something wrong with the installation?
3 Answers
Honestly, a lot of weeds come from seeds blowing around, so they can grow on top of the barrier. While landscape fabric can help in some situations, like around gravel, over time, many find it doesn't hold up well. Plus, with today's microplastics issue, some weed barriers could just add to that problem.
I’d say they can help a little. But let’s face it, if there’s a spot where anything can grow, weeds will likely find it! Try digging down to see if the weeds are coming up through the fabric; if that's the case, you might’ve gotten a subpar barrier.
Yeah, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with weed barriers, and I’m not impressed either. They often trap organic matter on top, which can turn into soil making it even easier for weeds to wind their way through. Personally, I’d only recommend using them under gravel or something like pavers to keep the rocks from just sinking in!