When researching the best landscape fabric, we evaluated products for their coverage area, material, dimensions, weight, UV resistance, and lifespan. Our best overall pick, ECOgardener Premium 5oz Pro Garden Weed Barrier, keeps weeds at bay, plus it’s lightweight and easy to install. Here is the best landscape fabric for a variety of outdoor projects. The smallest roll of ECOgardener’s weed barrier measures 3 feet by 50 feet, but there are multiple widths and lengths available to suit all of your gardening needs. The fabric can be cut with ordinary scissors, which adds to its convenience. We read some reports that fabric frays along the cut line, but it stays intact once it’s properly pinned. The polypropylene fabric is untreated and the manufacturer claims it doesn’t release chemicals into the soil. However, it also doesn’t provide any UV protection. After installation, you should immediately cover the fabric with mulch to prevent sun damage. Otherwise, the fabric will degrade quickly under direct sunlight, which may explain the complaints of weeds growing through the material after a short period of time. Price at time of publish: $32 AGTEK Landscape Fabric effectively blocks weeds while providing proper nutrients to encourage plant growth. It is UV-stabilized to prevent sun damage, which is another plus. Due to its small size, this landscape fabric is limited to smaller spaces. We read some reports of the fabric unraveling after it’s cut. For that reason, it may not last as long as other options. Price at time of publish: $22 FLARMOR’s weed barrier is untreated and doesn’t offer any UV protection, which means it will degrade quickly when exposed to direct sunlight. To prevent any damage, it should be covered with mulch or rock right after installation. This 6-foot by 300-foot roll is best suited for larger projects, but it comes in other widths and lengths. At 22.5 pounds, this landscape fabric is heavier than other options, which might make installation a bit trickier. You can use a sharp utility knife to cut the fabric into smaller pieces. Price at time of publish: $130 Since this fabric is UV-stabilized to prevent damage from sun exposure, it doesn’t have to be covered with gravel or mulch after installation. One potential downside that’s worth noting: Nonwoven fabric is not as permeable as woven or perforated fabric. If you have plants that require a lot of water, this product might not be the best choice. We also read a handful of reports that say the fabric frays or unravels when cut. Price at time of publish: $70 This particular roll measures 12.5 feet wide by 60 feet long, but it’s available in multiple sizes to suit a variety of tasks. The ArmorLay nonwoven landscape fabric is much pricier than other options, but its rugged construction is unparalleled when it comes to tougher jobs. Price at time of publish: $150 This landscape fabric roll measures 3 feet wide by 100 feet long, which is a good size for an assortment of gardening projects. At 3 ounces per square yard, this fabric is on the thicker side, which further attests to its durability. Unlike some other fabrics, Dewitt Weed Barrier doesn’t fray or unravel when cut. Both lightweight and maneuverable, this fabric is easy to install. Price at time of publish: $50 With a 5.8 thickness per square yard, it’s an ideal choice for rockier areas where thinner fabrics might disintegrate over time. The fabric is marked with lines so that it’s easier to cut and it doesn’t seem to fray, tear, or unravel after it’s been cut. We read a good number of reports saying weeds came through the fabric, which is one disadvantage to the permeable, aerating design. Also, some reports note that the fabric tends to shrink gradually. Price at time of publish: $56 This landscape fabric can be easily cut with a pair of scissors. However, we read some reports that say the lines aren’t spaced evenly on the fabric, which makes resizing a challenge. Both flexible and lightweight, this fabric is easy to install and suitable for a variety of purposes including vegetable garden pathways, playground areas, and under decks. It comes in nine different sizes to suit all of your gardening needs. Price at time of publish $95
Material
Landscape fabric can be separated into two main types: woven and nonwoven. All landscape fabric is perforated to various degrees to allow water to seep into the soil, but woven material is more permeable. Because it enables more water to pass through, woven landscape fabric is ideal for lusher areas such as flower beds and shrubs. Nonwoven fabric is sturdier and less porous, so it’s best suited for gravel pathways and other areas where less water is required. However, nonwoven fabric isn’t the best choice for vegetable gardens or flower gardens because it doesn’t allow enough water to penetrate. Our top pick for Best Heavy-Duty, the FLARMOR Landscape Fabric Weed Barrier, combines the sturdiness of nonwoven fabric with more permeable fabrics, resulting in a versatile weed barrier.
UV Resistance and Lifespan
Direct exposure to sunlight can cause landscape fabric to quickly disintegrate, shortening its lifespan significantly. Many products on the market today are labeled UV-stabilized or UV-resistant. Fabrics that are “UV stabilized” have been treated with a chemical to repel the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. On the other hand, “UV-resistant” indicates that the fabric has innate features that make it less prone to sun damage. Our top choice for Longest Lifespan, the Dewitt Non Woven 12-Year Landscape Fabric, is treated to make it less susceptible to damaging sunlight.
Dimensions and Weight
The lighter the roll of landscape fabric, the easier it is to maneuver and carry. However, all landscape fabric can be cut into smaller pieces to make installation more manageable. Our best budget pick, the GardenMate Woven Weed Control Fabric, is incredibly lightweight at just one pound.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Sage McHugh, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce who specializes in the home and garden sector. To select the best landscape fabric for this roundup, she considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their coverage area, material, dimensions, weight, UV resistance, and lifespan. Sage consulted hundreds of customer reviews, as well as write-ups from third-party websites. For additional insight, she interviewed Melissa Lallo Johnson, a master gardener based in Kansas City, Missouri, and the host of Art of Gardening, a vlog and podcast that features influential gardeners from around the world.
