I'm wondering if it's necessary to put down weed cloth before I apply mulch in my garden. I'm seeing a lot of mixed answers out there, and I'm unsure about the best approach for weed control and overall plant health.
3 Answers
Absolutely skip the weed cloth under mulch! It doesn’t really help keep out weeds and eventually turns into a hassle to remove. Instead, just go for a good layer of mulch—about 3 to 4 inches should do the trick—and let it decompose naturally. This way, you’ll have a healthy barrier for weeds and it’ll help retain moisture for your plants. Plus, you might want to top dress with more mulch each spring to keep it effective!
Honestly, weed fabric is pretty pointless when it comes to mulch. It only blocks out weeds for a little while before becoming a mess itself. If you really want to prevent weeds, just focus on using a thick enough layer of mulch—aim for at least 3 inches! That's what I do and it works great.
I usually use weed cloth under rocks instead. With mulch, I let it come in direct contact with the soil—it breaks down and enriches the soil nicely over time. Just be cautious of what you choose to layer underneath!
Right! Plus, if you ever need to remove the rocks, having weed cloth just makes it more complicated. Keep it simple with the mulch!
Totally agree! A thick layer of mulch really does work wonders for suppressing weeds. Just remember to use natural mulch instead of dyed stuff for the best results.