One Thing To Be Aware Of Before Laying Landscape Fabric Under Gravel Pathways

Landscape fabric can be a tricky product. Generally made of woven polypropylene, it is often used under gravel pathways to help limit weed growth. Despite the ubiquity of this application, there are some serious downsides to using landscape fabric this way — especially if your gravel path is intended to be permanent.

While landscape fabric is commonly recommended under gravel paths, the belief that this component is beneficial is far from universal. Weeds can often grow through the weave of the fabric; this problem only gets worse as the mesh begins to degrade and break down. Worst of all, if you don't prevent soil, mulch, or other organic materials from settling on the gravel path, you'll soon have weed seeds sprouting on top of the mesh, and their roots can quickly tangle into the weave of the fabric. When the roots get into the mesh, removing them becomes a true challenge, one that can lead to a more serious weed situation that demands destroying the pathway and removing the fabric. So, if you do opt to lay landscape fabric under your walkway, be sure to use other effective strategies for limiting weed growth. These include spreading sand under your path and regularly weeding or raking the gravel. 

Gravel is a great landscaping and pathway material thanks to its cost effectiveness and ability to absorb water instead of letting it run off. When constructing your DIY garden path, you'll have to decide whether the advantages of landscape fabric under the gravel outweigh its downsides. While landscape fabric can easily be skipped, if you opt to use it, be sure to go with the heaviest fabric available. A layer of sand is also beneficial for preventing weeds from growing through the gravel path. Unlike landscape fabric, sand won't degrade or leave shreds of plastic in your garden.

Whether or not you opt to use landscape fabric under the path, you'll still have to deal with weeds on occasion. However, they'll be easier to pull by hand if their roots don't have the fabric to hold on to. You can also use a small stirrup-style hoe to cut off the tops of the weeds. Alternatively, consider raking or using a leaf-blower on your paths. This strategy prevents leaves, soil, and weed seeds from gathering on top of the gravel. Just remember to be courteous with your leaf blower so you don't bother your neighbors.