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Landscape fabric is a great solution for preventing unwanted weeds while still allowing vital nutrients to reach your plants, flowers, and trees. “Landscaping fabric can come in very handy when used in the proper application,” says Melissa Lallo Johnson, a master gardener based in Kansas City, Missouri. “Knowing the area you are gardening in and what your intended uses are will allow you to better select the product to keep things low-maintenance in your garden.”
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 5 oz 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.
Best Overall
ECOgardener Premium 5oz Pro Garden Weed Barrier
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Lightweight and easy to install
Allows nutrients to reach plants
Effective at blocking weeds
Available in multiple sizes
Must be covered to prevent sun damage
May fray a bit when cut
This landscape fabric from ECOgardener is our favorite choice for most outdoor projects, because it is durable and easy to use. The two-layered, needle-punched fabric creates an effective weed barrier while allowing air and water to pass through and nourish your plants. Despite its heavy-duty construction, the fabric is surprisingly lightweight at less than 5 pounds, making it easy to maneuver and install.
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 have 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 that 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
Best Budget
AGTEK Landscape Fabric Heavy Duty Ground Cover
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Affordably priced
Ideal for playground areas and walkways
Small size minimizes leftover material
UV-stabilized
Limited to small jobs
May unravel when cut
If you’re only doing a small job and have a small budget, you don’t want to be stuck with a huge roll of unused fabric. Unlike other options, the AGTEK Landscape Fabric comes in much more manageable sizes. The smallest option is a two-pack of 4-foot by 8-foot pieces, and the next size up is a two-pack of 4-foot by 12-foot pieces. This fabric is made of heavy-duty woven polypropylene and has a thickness of 3.8 ounces per square yard. Its durable design makes it a solid choice for use beneath playground areas and walkways.
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 have read some reports of the fabric unraveling after it’s been cut. For that reason, it might not last as long as other options.
Price at time of publish: $16
Best Heavy-Duty
FLARMOR Landscape Fabric Weed Barrier
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Heavy-duty, dual-layered construction
Highly permeable
Extremely durable
Available in multiple sizes
No UV protection
Heavier than other options
This commercial grade landscape fabric from FLARMOR is made of nonwoven polypropylene, which makes it incredibly strong. With a thickness of 1.8 ounces per square yard, it’s sturdy enough for use underneath gravel and rocks. Meanwhile, the needle-punched fabric is very permeable, allowing water and air to pass through to keep the soil moist.
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
Best for Large Areas
GDNaid 3ft x 300ft Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric
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Ideal size for large projects
Heavy-duty fabric
UV-stabilized material
Available in multiple sizes
Not as permeable as other fabrics
May fray or unravel when cut
If you’re tackling a large garden project, the GDNaid Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric comes in an extra-large roll that can cover up to 900 feet of ground. Although it comes in multiple sizes, the 3-foot by 300-foot option is your best choice for a big space. Made of nonwoven polypropylene with a thickness of 1.8 ounces per square yard, this fabric effectively suppresses weeds. It’s also sturdy enough for use in gravel gardens and pathways.
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 have read a handful of reports that say the fabric frays or unravels when cut.
Price at time of publish: $70
Best for Under Gravel
ArmorLay Commercial Grade Driveway Fabric
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Extremely durable
Won’t tear or degrade under gravel
Reduces soil erosion
Prevents ruts and potholes from forming
Low water permeability
Not suitable for garden beds
This commercial grade fabric from ArmorLay is specifically designed for driveways, patios, and gravel walkways. At 8 ounces per square yard thick, it’s one of the thickest and sturdiest options on the market. Not only will it protect against soil erosion, it can also reduce damage caused by rain, sleet, and snow. Just keep in mind that the nonwoven material is a lot less permeable than other fabrics. Since it doesn’t allow much water through, it’s not a good option for garden and flower beds.
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
Best Lifespan
Dewitt Non Woven 12-Year Landscape Fabric
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Impressive 12-year lifespan
Allows nutrients to penetrate the soil
Triple-layer weed protection
Doesn’t fray or unravel when cut
Must be covered to prevent UV damage
Dewitt Weed Barrier is backed by a 12-year guarantee to ensure its longevity and performance. This heavy-duty, nonwoven fabric offers three layers of protection against weed growth but still allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil. Although the fabric is treated to minimize UV light exposure, it should still be covered with a layer of mulch after installation to protect it.
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
Best Aeration
Amagabeli Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric
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Woven fabric allows air to pass through
Extremely durable
UV-stabilized and weatherproof
Available in multiple sizes
Less effective at blocking weeds
May shrink gradually
Unlike nonwoven landscaping fabric, the Amagabeli landscape fabric has a highly permeable design that promotes aeration. Composed of premium polypropylene material, it provides an effective weed barrier. It also has built-in UV protection to prevent sun damage and extend its lifespan. This landscape fabric comes in six different sizes, making it suitable for all sorts of gardening projects. The smallest roll measures 3 feet by 100 feet, while the largest roll is a whopping 6 feet by 300 feet—and there are plenty of options in between.
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 have read a good number of reports saying that weeds have come through the fabric, which is one disadvantage to the permeable, aerating design. Some reports note that the fabric tends to shrink gradually.
Price at time of publish: $140
Best Eco-Friendly
Agfabric Landscape Fabric Weed Barrier
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Eco-friendly polypropylene construction
Chemical-free
Easy to cut and install
Available in 9 sizes
Pricier than other options
No UV protection
Lines on the fabric are uneven
The Agfabric Landscape Fabric effectively controls weeds without the use of chemicals. It’s made of heavy-duty polypropylene, which creates a barrier against evaporation and nutrient leaching. At the same time, it allows moisture and air to reach your soil and plants. Although this fabric is a bit pricier than other options, it is more environmentally friendly than some of its counterparts. Note that the fabric is untreated, which means that it must be covered to prevent UV damage.
This landscape fabric can be easily cut with a pair of scissors. However, we have 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
Our top pick, the ECOgardener Premium 5oz Pro Garden Weed Barrier, offers superior weed control and comes in six different sizes to handle projects of various scales. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the AGTEK Landscape Fabric Heavy Duty Ground Cover is also effective but better suited to smaller tasks. Both of these fabrics are lightweight and easy to install.
What to Look for in Landscape Fabric
Coverage Area
Landscape fabric comes in a variety of widths and lengths to suit your needs. You can avoid having excess fabric by determining the right amount you’ll need to complete your project. Most rolls come in widths of 3 feet or more and measure anywhere from 50 to 300 feet in length. You’ll want to factor the 8-inch overlap that's often required when layering multiple pieces of fabric. If you have an exceptionally large area to cover, the GDNaid 3ft x 300ft Weed Barrier Landscape Fabric can protect up to 900 square feet of outdoor space.
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 disintegrate quickly, 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, those that are UV-resistant have innate features that make them 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.
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What type of landscaping fabric is best?
The best type of landscape fabric will vary, based on the specific task. Since woven landscape fabric is more porous, it’s better suited for flower beds, shrubs, and other areas that require more moisture. Nonwoven fabric, on the other hand, lets less water in, so it’s not the best choice for landscaped areas. However, its sturdy construction is ideal for hardscape areas, such as rockeries and gravel paths. “For a rock installation, you will want to use heavy-duty landscaping fabric, since you know that it will remain in place and not be disturbed with new plantings,” advises Melissa Lallo Johnson, a master gardener based in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Is it better to use landscape fabric or plastic?
Plastic is a great weed barrier in areas where no vegetation is present, such as like a paved walkway. In areas where plants require air and water to survive, however, a permeable landscape fabric is the better choice. Unless you’re using a biodegradable landscape fabric that decomposes over time, both landscape fabric and plastic will need to be physically removed at some point.
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How long does heavy-duty landscape fabric last?
If it is properly installed, high-quality, heavy-duty landscape fabric should provide years of reliable use. Some fabrics need to be covered with mulch or gravel to protect it from the damaging effects of the sun. Even the highest-quality landscape fabric could disintegrate quickly when exposed to harmful UV light.
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.