Weeds in Your Landscape Beds? Not If You Use the Right Landscape Fabric

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Nothing is worse than putting in the time and effort on your yard and landscaping only to deal with weeds. Not only do weeds look unappealing, they can cost you hours of frustration and hard work.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/dalenproducts/27179/

One solution is choosing the right landscape fabric - one that's designed for weed control, say experts at Dalen Products, makers of Weed-X and Weed- Proof. The primary reason for using landscape fabric is for a non-chemical, multi-year solution to weed problems in landscaped mulch beds or other areas around the yard.

The key to a good landscape fabric is having the right balance of weed control and permeability. That includes limited openings to stop weeds from above the fabric, and a material that matches the soil's ability to absorb water.

Almost all weed problems come from airborne weed seeds that settle and germinate in the top mulch. The most important factor for effective weed control is preventing weed root penetration. If weeds in the mulch get their roots through the fabric, two things happen.

First, weeds can take advantage of the moist soil below the fabric and grow faster than if they were just in bare ground. Second, weed roots become entangled in the fabric and tear up landscaping as well as the fabric when pulled out.

Most landscape fabrics don't stop weeds because they're too porous, with too many openings, allowing for weed roots to penetrate the fabric into the soil below.

"We found the Weed-X brand to have the smallest-sized pore spaces of all the fabrics tested," explained Bonnie Lee Appleton, nursery specialist at Virginia Tech University, who has been testing various brands of landscape fabrics since 1987. "We feel the small pore spaces didn't allow weed or tree roots to penetrate and get a foothold in the fabric."

There are only three products that stop weeds from above the fabric: Weed- X, Weed-Proof, and Gardeneer Weed-Shield by Dalen.

  Dalen offers these tips for selecting the right product for your project:

  -- Erosion Control Applications - Many products currently sold as a
     'Landscape Fabric' claim multiple functions: soil stabilization,
     drainage applications, as well as weed control. However, stopping weeds
     requires very low permeability, while all other applications require
     high permeability (so water flows through while holding back soil and
     pebbles).
  -- Weed Control Applications - Buy fabric designed for superior weed
     control, one with limited openings. Easily visible open spaces or
     materials that allow too much water to flow through will be ineffective
     against weeds.

Weed-X and Weed-Proof are available at Wal-Mart. Visit http://www.weedxworks.com/ or call Dalen for more information (800-747-3256).