How to Use Ground Sheeting in the Garden
Ground sheeting, also known as landscape fabric or weed barrier, is a versatile material that can help suppress weed growth, protect soil, and improve garden structure. When installed correctly, it can make maintaining your garden easier and more efficient.
Benefits of Ground Sheeting
- Weed control: By blocking sunlight, ground sheeting prevents weeds from germinating and growing in beds and borders.
- Soil protection: It helps reduce erosion caused by wind and rain while also retaining soil moisture.
- Garden paths: Acts as a base layer, stopping weeds from growing through paths and keeping surfaces stable.
- Raised beds: When used as a liner, it prevents weeds from creeping up and helps the soil retain moisture.
- Under mulch: Placing fabric beneath mulch enhances weed control and reduces moisture loss.
How to Lay Ground Sheeting
- Unroll and cut to size
Ground sheeting is available in rolls, usually between 1m and 4m wide. Unroll it and cut it to the shape of your border or bed. - Position and secure
Lay the sheeting flat over the soil surface. To secure it, you can use specialist ground pegs, but these can be costly. A more economical alternative is to cut sections of fencing wire and bend them into U-shaped pegs. Insert these through the sheeting into the soil to hold it in place.- In windy conditions (especially during winter), temporarily weigh down the sheeting with bricks or breeze blocks before planting and mulching.
- Planting through the sheeting
Cut crosses in the fabric where plants will go. Fold back the flaps and dig a hole beneath. After planting, press the soil back in place and smooth the fabric around the plant stem. - Tidy up before finishing
Brush away any excess soil that may have spilled onto the fabric. This prevents weeds from taking root on top of the sheeting. - Cover with mulch
Finally, apply a mulch such as bark, gravel, or decorative stone. This covers the sheeting, improves appearance, and adds an extra layer of protection against weeds.
When using ground sheeting in a garden, it’s important to make sure the material is permeable to water and air. This will help ensure that plants can still access the nutrients and moisture they need to thrive. Additionally, it’s important to properly install the ground sheeting to prevent it from becoming a barrier to plant growth or interfering with drainage.
