Skip Landscape Fabric: The Unexpected Durable Alternative To Consider

If you're trying to keep pesky weeds out of your garden, landscape fabric might be one of the first things you reach for. However, when considering the pros and cons of landscape fabric, it isn't ideal for every garden. You may already have an easy alternative in your shed. If you keep livestock or know someone who does, don't let the leftover feed bags go to waste. They can be used as a weed barrier just like landscape fabric by cutting them open and laying them flat. The plastic feed bags, made from poly weave, are surprisingly durable, but people have found success with the thick paper bags as well. While you can use either type, some elements of how you use them will differ.

Poly weave is a type of woven plastic that's both highly durable and resistant to water. This makes them great for transporting food safely for livestock, but it also makes them effective weed barriers. The bags stop sunlight, water, and airflow from reaching the seeds beneath them, and they provide a physical barrier to stop any weeds that are already sprouting. The paper feed bags are less durable, but they can still work as weed barriers. You may need to add a second bag or layer of mulch over them. One major benefit feed bags have over landscape fabric is cost. The price of landscape fabric can add up quickly, especially if you're trying to cover a large area. Old feed bags, on the other hand, are just a byproduct of feeding livestock and often end up thrown away.

You'll need to prepare the bags by cutting off the closed end, then cutting down one side so that it folds open. The process of installing this weed barrier is fairly straightforward. Make sure to cut holes in the bags for your plants to fit through — the same qualities that stop weeds from growing will keep your plants from thriving if you don't leave room for their stems and roots. Weigh the bags down to stop them from blowing away; you can pin them down with garden stakes or rocks, or cover them in a layer of mulch. Mulch is also a good option if you want to keep your garden looking nice, as feed bags aren't the most attractive weed barrier. If aesthetics are highly important, there are other, more attractive ways to keep grass and weeds out of your garden.

One downside to poly weave feed bags is that plastic isn't biodegradable. This is partially what makes them durable, since they won't break down in your garden. However, this also means that you won't be able to leave them there forever. You'd have to remove the feed bags if they do become damaged or you want to move your garden elsewhere. This can also be a problem with landscape fabric since it is often made of plastic, so if you're only choosing between the two then feed bags may still be the better option.