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Landscape Fabric #927731

Asked April 07, 2026, 1:13 PM EDT

I am currently help a friend remove all the grass from her front yard and replacing it with wood chips from the local arborist. Should we put down landscape fabric or just a heavy layer of wood chips/mulch?

Arapahoe County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for reaching out to Ask Extension with your great question about landscape fabric!

Plenty of research shows that while landscape fabric might keep weeds away for a year or two, eventually dirt, seeds and dust is blown in and settles, making perfect conditions for seed germination and weed growth. There is also a lot of research showing how detrimental landscape fabric is for healthy soils, as it limits air and water exchange. 

It is best to put down a thick 4" layer of organic mulch for weed suppression. You will thank yourself down the road for not having to rip out the defunct fabric, damaging plant roots, to get rid of perennial weeds growing through the fabric in 4-5 years.

Here is more info on this: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2021-06-25-disadvantages-landscape-fabric

I hope this helps!

Dawn

Dawn Fradkin Replied April 08, 2026, 8:46 AM EDT
Perfect Dawn! Thank you!
On 04/08/2026 6:46 AM MDT Ask Extension wrote:
 
 
The Question Asker Replied April 08, 2026, 10:40 AM EDT

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