I'm a bit torn about what to do here. This is our first spring in our new house, and I want to lay down a weed barrier before mulching, but the mulch beds currently have a lot of weeds. Time is limited because of the kiddos napping and my early morning schedule, so I'm tempted to just put the barrier over the existing weeds. I'm planning to overlap the barrier strips by 6 inches and staple them every 5 feet. Does anyone have advice or personal experiences on this?
2 Answers
I’ve used various weed barriers, and honestly, I found that most only last about two years before they start breaking down. Weeds can still germinate and plant roots through the fabric when enough dirt collects on top. If you lay it over existing weeds, you might just end up fighting an uphill battle later on. Just tackle those weeds first!
It's really best to remove the weeds before putting down the barrier. If you don’t, those pesky weeds can still poke through the fabric since some types are pretty resilient. Even though the barrier might kill some of them, you'll still have a few that will find a way to break through over time.
I totally get that it can be a hassle, especially with kids around. But trust me, doing the extra work now will save you headaches later. It'll be way easier to manage without a ton of weeds fighting for space.