If you have just moved into a new property or are simply considering either removing or renewing your old landscape fabric you might be wondering exactly how to go about it. The removal of landscape fabric is a pretty particular and sometimes somewhat tricky process. So, here is everything you need to know about how to remove landscape fabric and why to remove it.
What is landscape fabric:
Landscape fabric is a pretty common type of geotextile. This type of geotextile is usually used to prevent the growth of weeds in planting beds, in close proximity of trees or even in river rock ground covers.
That being said, landscape fabric also has an abundant amount of other uses. These include being able to control erosion, reducing the use of herbicide, reducing evaporation (and therefore helping soil retain its moisture for longer) and stabilising the temperature of soil.
To add to this, landscape fabric also has many other common names that you may hear people referring to it by. These include weed fabric, landscape cloth, weed control fabric and garden fabric.
Why should you remove landscape fabric:
The main reason that you may want to remove landscape fabric is to renew it or to replace it with another weed barrier that is more suitable to your yard.
Renewing landscape fabric frequently is important for your yard’s health. This is because its benefits start to decrease and eventually completely fade away after it’s been in use for a couple of years.
One of the problems that old landscape fabric may cause is water clogging in your soil. That’s right unless frequently replaced with newer pieces, this material could cause your plants to not have their necessary, thorough access to water.
If you don’t renew your landscape fabric every few years it could cause quite a bit of harm to your greenery and overall yard.
The materials you will need in order to remove landscape fabric:
Fortunately you don’t need a lot of materials in order to remove landscape fabric, and all of them are pretty accessible. Here is everything you will need to use during this process:
- A garden rake
- A trash bag (maybe more than one)
- A sharp pair of scissors or possibly a utility knife
- A shovel or a garden hoe
A step by step guide on removing landscape fabric:
The first step: The first thing you want to do is to try and figure out where exactly the landscape fabric is located. This is because it is buried underground and digging around soil where there is no fabric is just a waste of time and effort. Usually, landscape fabric can be found buried near or within a planting bed’s landscape borders.
The second step: After you have successfully located the landscape fabric, bring out your rake. Use the rake to rake away a more miniscule section of mulch so that the landscape fabric can be revealed. If all that is revealed is soil, remove it using a shovel or a garden hoe.
The third step: Once you’ve done both of those things, use your sharpened pair of scissors or utility knife to slice the newly exposed layer of landscape fabric. Once you have sliced a part of it off, shake off the soil and debris. This part is not necessary but it makes for an easier disposal process. Place the newly cut and shaken off piece of landscape fabric into a trash bag.
The fourth step: Continue repeating the first three steps. It is recommended that you complete this process in small sections. Do this until you have successfully removed all of the landscape fabric previously buried underneath your soil. Just beware that you need to put more attention and care into gently slicing the landscape fabric if it has intertwined with the landscape fabric.
The fifth, and final, step: Once you are sure that the landscape fabric has been thoroughly removed and is no longer a possible threat to your yard, dispose of all the old remnants of it that have gathered in your trash bag(s).
How to remove landscape fabric – final thoughts:
Overall, removing landscape is a pretty simple but time consuming process. That being said, it is completely necessary for your yard to be able to continue to thrive and flourish.
Related Article: Stop Weeds From Growing in Rocks and Gravel