If flowers are a major component of your landscaping, you may find yourself having to contend with weeds and bugs on a regular basis in an attempt to keep your plants thriving. To counter this, new technology in the form of landscape fabric has been developed. This is a porous fabric that allows for hydration and nutrition for your flowerbeds while deterring the growth of weeds and inhibiting the movement of critters such as slugs. However, just because laying landscape fabric is a simple DIY project does not mean that it can be installed haphazardly. Here are a few of the mistakes to avoid when laying this landscape fabric.

Not overlapping the fabric

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is laying the landscape fabric to the exact measurements of their yard. This may seem economical as it reduces wastage of fabric. The reality, though, is that you are not putting into account the natural movement of the earth. Without overlapping, gaps can form at the point where two pieces of fabric meet, opening up your yard to the weeds and pests you are trying to keep out. A more efficient way of laying this fabric would be ensuring that all ends are overlapping each other by a few inches. Thus, when the solid begins to settle and the ground moves, the fabric will still stay securely in place.

Not pinning the fabric to the ground

Another mistake some people make when laying landscape fabric is forgetting to secure it to the ground. Instead, some people may be in a hurry and opt to simply lay the fabric and then continue on to planting their flowers. In the event that the soil moves, your landscape fabric would shift along with it. This will typically happen during seasons of inclement weather where rain will erode the topsoil. It is best to use plastic stakes to secure the landscape fabric in place.

Not levelling the ground prior to installation

For your landscape fabric to stay in place, you need to install it on ground that has been levelled. Failure to do so will cause uneven bumps on the surface of the fabric, which makes it easier for pests to navigate beneath the fabric. In addition to this, if the ground is not level, any shifting of the earth will make the fabric come loose prematurely. Before laying the landscape fabric, you should rake the ground to eliminate rocks and any other type of debris that may be on the surface.

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