Weed Barriers for Flower Beds

Weed Barrier Fabric

• Placing special landscape mats or landscape fabrics in the flowerbed before planting creates a physical weed barrier. These fabrics are made from porous material and often replace the standard black plastic often used in landscaping. Landscape fabrics work best in flowerbeds for long-term plantings, such as perennial gardens or around trees and shrubs. Flowerbeds with annuals that are replanted every year work best with other weed barriers. Landscape fabrics are normally covered with mulch.

Mulch Barriers

• Mulch not only forms a weed barrier around flowers, it also holds moisture in the soil and enhances the overall look of the flowerbed. Mulches are either organic or inorganic. A 2- to 4-inch thick layer maintained around flowers prevents most weeds. Organic mulch, such as shredded or chipped wood and bark, grass clippings, leaves, compost, pine needles, ground corncobs, haw and straw, slowly decompose enriching the soil. Inorganic mulches, such as crushed rocks, gravel and crushed coral, cost more upfront but last longer.

Hand Weeding and Cultivation

• Hand pulling weeds or using hand tools for weed removal is not an actual physical weed barrier but these methods work well for weed control in flowerbeds. This is an ongoing task throughout the season that requires regularly checking the flowerbed. Remove the weeds when they are small and before they go to seed. Hoes and tillers work best for large areas such as between rows or in open spaces. Hand pulling is best for weeds growing near flowers.

Chemical Barriers

• Chemical weed barriers using herbicides in flowerbeds are possible, but this method requires knowledge of the specific weeds growing because no one product works for all weeds. Herbicides come in many forms and they must be applied at specific times of the year. Pre-emergence herbicides prevent the weed seeds from germinating and postemergence herbicides are for weeds already growing. Use chemical barriers as a last resort and only as directed.