I just moved into a new house and found that there's black plastic laid down under the mulch in my flower bed. I'm planning to remove the plastic and mulch, but I'm not sure what to do next. I've heard mixed opinions about whether to use landscape fabric or to go with cardboard topped with mulch. My wife isn't concerned about the flower beds, so it's up to me to figure this out. What's the best approach?
2 Answers
Just a heads up, since you're working on a flower bed, landscape fabric can sometimes break down over time, making it tough to remove. Cardboard, on the other hand, degrades naturally and can actually improve the soil in the long run.
I've had good luck using layers of newspaper and then covering them with mulch. It’s not as permanent as landscape fabric, but it helps to keep the weeds down while being biodegradable. Cardboard works similarly, and both options can get the job done with some light maintenance afterward.