Ditch Landscape Fabric That's Weak: This Heavy-Duty Home Depot Find Keeps Weeds Out

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Few things frustrate gardeners more than weeds popping through their garden beds. Not only do the weeds steal nutrients from the desirable plants, but they also make the whole place look like a mess. Luckily, though, there are many ways to keep weeds at bay. Take, for instance, the use of landscape fabric. The problem, however, is that many commercially sold landscape fabrics are low-quality and thin and don't really do a good job of keeping those unwanted weeds out. If you've been let down by flimsy or weak landscape fabric before, then it might be time to try a heavy-duty material, like the Vigoro heavy-duty grid landscape fabric.

Like all Vigoro products, this landscape fabric is available exclusively at The Home Depot, and a 50-foot roll is priced at $35.98. You can also get rolls of 100 or 200 feet; the 50-foot option measures 4 feet across, and can cover nearly 200 square feet. As for what makes the material "heavy-duty," the Vigoro landscape fabric comprises three layers: a "matrix grid core center" sandwiched between a top and bottom non-woven layer. Together, these layers have a thickness of ~0.52 millimeters, per the manufacturer.

At the time of writing, this Vigoro product holds a 4.5-star rating from over 2,400 buyer reviews. Reviewers mention the fabric has good thickness and durability, with one reviewer describing it as "thick but breathable, so water flows through it without standing." Some reviews also mention it's quite easy to install. That being said, some other buyers have reported a different experience. For instance, about water, another customer shared, "Water does not penetrate this material. [S]prayed water on fabric after installation and before putting mulch on top. Water still puddled 40 minutes after wetting." Some other reviewers, meanwhile, noted that, for them, weeds managed to grow underneath and through the fabric.

Buying a heavy-duty landscape fabric is only half the job; if you want to get the most out of your Vigoro fabric, you must make sure you also install it right and avoid the common mistakes everyone makes when using landscaping fabric to prevent weeds. For instance, clear the area before rolling out the material. If you lay landscape fabric over established weeds, it won't do you much good, and the weeds will eventually manage to push through. Similarly, when laying the fabric, overlap the seams by several inches; don't just butt the edges together. Likewise, pin the fabric down using landscape fabric staples (such as these Vigoro fabric and garden staples from The Home Depot, $6.98).

Also, don't leave landscape fabric uncovered. Instead, use mulch, gravel, or decorative stone to cover it. A layer of such material on top of the fabric can help block out sunlight, and sunlight is what most weed seeds need to germinate in the first place. Furthermore, it can also protect the fabric itself from UV exposure. This is really helpful, as UV rays can make the material brittle and break down faster over time.

Lastly, keep in mind that even with a heavy-duty option in place, you might still see weeds in your garden from time to time. That's because wind and small animals can carry seeds, and if there's debris or dirt on top of the landscape fabric, the seeds can grow in it. So, check your garden beds regularly, and if you see a weed popping through, use a garden tool like an action hoe to remove the weed before it gets established.