Is weed block garden fabric easy to cut and trim?

Question

The flowerbeds at this house I just bought is awful.. wanting to do some permanent fixing to the landscape. I know black plastic is an option but I'd rather have something more durable.. but not if it's difficult to cut.

Answer 1

It pretty easy to work with. At the risk of being the voice of gardening doom let me point out a few negatives you can encounter with the landscape fabrics: They make it a pain to do any future planting in the area or to do any other work which becomes necessary--getting at pipes, the foundation, etc. Certainly not impossible--just a pain. Also it's very ugly if they stick up or otherwise show through your mulch. And the reality is --sooner or later enough organic matter will accumulate on top of the fabric that weeds will be able to germinate there anyhow.It also makes it impossible for the spreading plants to put down new roots out side the initial planting hole. The one place where the pros outweigh the cons ( imho) is under beds of gravel and under certain types of pavement surfaces--in the latter case to slow to advent of root intrusion. I'll also use it in planting beds in certain slope situations--though there too it requires careful consideration.

Answer 2

Both black plastic and weed mat are considered 'on the nose' these days. They both have problems with air and water penetration and don't allow the continual improvement of the soil that you need to grow a garden well.

Also a lot of people don't realize that weeds continue to blow in on top of gravel etc and grow on top of the weed mat anyway so it is only a matter of time till weeds get a hold on again. I find a good heavy layer of compost or mulch nourishes the soil keeps weeds down, conserves water and keeps the roots of the plants cool or warm depending on the season, a win all round

Answer 3

It's easy to cut and trim, just use scissors. However, it doesn't block weeds, by any means. I used it around my flowers in my perennial garden, and covered it with landscaping rocks. What a pain! The weeds grew through, and as the flowers get bigger each year, I have to cut back the fabric.

Answer 4

Plastic will in one year start to decorate, The fabric is the way to go, its easy. Its not hard and last for up to 5 years, so if you don't want to do your work every year, fabric, it is too easy.

Answer 5

Go to the website of Department of Agriculture or EPA and find out which weedkiller you can use for your flowerbed,or consult your local pesticides dealers or manufacturers like Dow Chemical,Velsicol,ICI or Rohm & Hass ....

Answer 6

It is very easy to work with and trim. You can use a pair of scissors to cut it with.

Answer 7

a sharp cutter . plastic will hold down the weeds better. put some mulch over the plastic ...

Answer 8

yes it's easy to cut you can use a knife or a old pair of sissors

Answer 9

weed block is excellent and flexable.
try it you like it

Answer 10

yes if you use siccors