- You can buy landscaping cloth at most lawn and garden supply stores, and even at local home and garden shows. There are also many companies that sell it online. When shopping for landscaping cloth, find a product that seems strong enough that you can't tear or stretch it too easily, and it should feel stiff and sturdy. Do not choose landscaping cloth that is too flexible and soft, like cotton cloth. You can actually test this theory while in the store. Take a small section of the cloth and try to tear it with your hands. If it seems like you can tear it fairly easily, this probably isn't the cloth to buy. If it seems like you would have to really put some muscle into it, then it is probably a good product to purchase.
Look for a fabric that is porous enough to allow water and air to pass freely to the soil. It the soil does not get enough oxygen, it can become sterile and prevent healthy plants from growing. Also, if the water cannot seep through the holes, it will build up on top of the bed, causing any mulch or small rocks to run off the cloth. - You will need to prepare the soil in the area you are landscaping by tilling the soil, making sure all areas are level by adding soil to areas that need to be built up. Roll out the landscaping cloth until it covers the area of soil you are working with. If you notice any wrinkles, position the cloth until they disappear. Your first instinct may be to trim the cloth so pieces lay end to end, but you actually want to have an overlap between pieces. It's a good idea to have a 3- to 6-inch overlap. This will help reduce the risk of weeds and grass from growing through the seams. Remember to take this overlap into account when figuring out how much to buy.
When you are ready to plant your plants, cut a small X in the landscaping cloth to allow just enough space to fit the roots of your plant. Too much space leaves room for weeds to sneak in.
Once you have installed the landscaping cloth and you've planted your plants and bulbs, cover the area with your choice of mulch, stones or gravel. Then you can water your plants and watch them grow. - Depending on which type of bed you decide to go with, using mulch with plants, or rock beds with cloth, they both will require some kind of maintenance to keep them looking nice. Especially with wind and rain to assist seeds being blown in and settle in your flower or rock beds, plants will continue to grow. All a plant needs is a seed, a little soil, and a little water to get started. This can happen even on a rock bed. The soil can settle in the little cracks and once a seed hops in, that's all it takes. The weeds will be easier to pull and get rid of due to the fact that they are growing on the top of the cloth, but it can still be a nuisance.
- Some landscaping cloths get clogged with environmental particles like sand, dust and fertilizer pieces. If this happens, moisture from watering can't get through to your plants. At this time you may need to replace you're cloth.
It can also be a problem to clear area and cut a hole every time you want to plant a new plant. Also, if you are trying to plant a ground cover, they need a lot of space for roots to take hold and grow. If you lay down landscaping cloth, this will be impossible. This is something to think about as you are choosing your plants. - Landscaping cloths don't stop all weeds and grasses from getting through. If you cut holes in the cloth to allow plants to grow through, it will also leave a small possibility for weeds and grass to take hold of and sprout through the opening. Just check your beds and gardens regularly, and remove any unwanted plants as needed.
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