Should I use weed barrier fabric before laying mulch?

Landscape fabric options explained

You’ve picked your bark color, planned your coverage — but now you’re wondering, do you need landscape fabric?

If you’ve ever pulled up old mulch and seen a frayed plastic fabric underneath, you might have mixed feelings about it. Weed barrier fabric (also called landscape fabric) is designed to stop weeds from growing through your mulch, but it doesn’t always work as expected. In some cases, it helps. In others, it causes more problems than it solves.

So, let’s break it down: what does landscape fabric actually do, when is it worth using, and what’s Bark Ridge’s recommendation?

Pros of landscape fabric

There’s a reason it’s been used in landscaping for decades — it has its place, especially when installed properly.

Weed suppression

A freshly laid weed barrier does a good job of stopping weeds from pushing up from below. This is especially helpful if your soil is full of aggressive weeds or roots.

Cleaner mulch or rock

With a barrier between the soil and your mulch or rock, materials stay cleaner and are easier to rake or refresh in the future.

Longer-lasting coverage

Fabric helps separate organic mulch from the soil underneath, which can slightly extend the life of the mulch since it won’t decompose as quickly into the dirt.

🌿 “Landscape fabric can buy you time—but it’s not a forever fix for weeds.”

Cons of landscape fabric

Over time, fabric can cause some unintended side effects—especially when used under bark mulch.

Water flow restriction

As fabric ages and gets clogged with dirt, it can block water from reaching plant roots. That means your shrubs and flowers might suffer, especially in dry months.

Weeds still grow

Weed seeds can still blow in and settle on top of the mulch, eventually growing on the fabric layer. And when they do, the roots often grow through the fabric, making them hard to pull out.

Breakdown over time

Most landscape fabric isn’t made to last forever. After a few years, it can break apart, fray, or bubble up through the mulch — making a mess and a headache to remove.

When fabric makes the most sense

So when is it worth it? Here’s our rule of thumb:

✔ Yes to fabric under landscaping rock

If you’re installing rock as a long-term ground cover, landscape fabric is a smart move. Rock doesn’t decompose like bark, and it doesn’t settle into the soil, so a solid barrier helps prevent weeds from creeping up for years to come.

🚫 Usually no to fabric under bark mulch

For bark mulch, especially if it’s being refreshed every 1–2 years, we usually recommend skipping the fabric. It’s better to allow the mulch to break down naturally and nourish the soil below.

However, if you’re replacing grass with bark mulch, we recommend landscaping fabric to prevent the grass from growing through.

🪨 “Fabric and rock make a good team—but bark mulch is better off without it.”

Alternatives to landscape fabric

If you’re worried about weeds but don’t want the downsides of fabric, you’ve got other options:

Use a thicker layer of bark

A 2–3 inch layer of bark mulch naturally suppresses weed growth by blocking sunlight and keeping the soil cool and shaded.

Regular top-offs

Refreshing your mulch yearly with a light new layer keeps it dense and weed-resistant.

Prepping the soil well

At Bark Ridge, we always recommend pulling weeds and smoothing the beds before spreading mulch. That simple prep step is one of the most effective weed prevention methods out there.

Bark Ridge’s recommendation

We aim to make landscaping smart and simple.

For mulch jobs: We generally don’t recommend fabric unless you have a serious weed problem or are covering large bare areas with no plants.

For rock jobs: We do recommend fabric to prevent rock from sinking and reduce long-term weed growth.

Of course, if you have a personal preference, we’re happy to install bark mulch with or without fabric — your yard, your choice.

Want to talk through your options before booking?

Just give us a call or text. We’ll help you choose what works best for your landscape, your budget, and your goals.