Should I Use Landscape Fabric Under Gravel? Common Concerns

Landscape fabric provides excellent protection from weeds, pests, fungus, and other unwanted problems in the soil. Many people use it to promote root growth, while others prefer these tarp-like fabrics for organizational purposes. Whether you have existing gravel or you’re adding a new layer, this fabric can be quite beneficial.

You should use landscape fabric under gravel because it prevents weeds and other plants from pushing through the surface. You can also put a layer of landscape fabric under pea gravel to provide better filtration and hydration for your plants. Keep the fabric about three inches below the ground.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about why you should put landscape fabric under gravel. We’ll also discuss alternatives, when you might want to avoid this fabric, and how long it’ll last before you need to replace it.

Tip: If you don’t care about the rest of the details, check out the best landscape fabric for gravel. Ensure you have the correct dimensions and use landscape fabric staples to prevent it from sliding around.

What Do You Put Under Landscape Gravel?

You should put fabric under landscape gravel to prevent it from sinking into the dirt, growing weeds, or draining unevenly. Landscape fabric is easy to install and can be done in a few hours with a helping hand. It’s also a great choice for people who want to reduce their carbon footprint through Xeriscaping.

Here are three reasons you should put landscape fabric under gravel:

• Landscape fabric is good for gravel because it prevents weeds from growing. According to SF Gate, one of the main reasons people add landscape fabric under gravel is because it stops weeds and other invasive plants from growing through. Contrary to popular belief, gravel doesn’t always prevent weeds from sprouting.
• The fabric will keep the gravel level and even rather than allowing holes and dents. Nobody wants to deal with an unsightly pile of gravel. There will be dips on one side, hills on the other, and a big mess in the middle. Adding a fabric layer stops the gravel from sinking into the soil, especially when it’s wet.
• Installing landscape fabric can take less than a day. You don’t have to spend several weeks adding a fabric layer. In fact, most people can finish the project in as little as four hours. Have a few friends to help you out and shave more time off the total for a quick afternoon task.

Gravel is much more eco-friendly than owning a lawn, so why not add a layer of landscape fabric to keep your yard looking as good as ever? That being said, there are a couple of scenarios when it might not be the best choice. Let’s explore those details in the following section.

When Should You Not Use Landscape Fabric?

You shouldn’t use landscape fabric if you intend to reseed the soil or if the fabric has too many artificial chemicals. Many fabrics have chemicals that can damage the soil and make it unusable for growing various plants. While it might not be a big deal if you have gravel, it’s not the best for all landscaping projects.

So, when should you stay away from landscaping fabric?

1. If you don’t put the fabric about 3 to 4 inches below the surface, you could risk dealing with too many weeds. Remember, many invasive plants only need a few inches to root, grow, and spread. This scenario could spell a nightmare for your gravel plot.
2. Your Green Pal explains some landscape fabrics contain harsh chemicals and compact the soil, making it very difficult to reseed. It’s typically not much of an issue if you have sod, though. If you’re only using it for gravel, this point doesn’t affect your plans.
3. Landscape fabric eventually has to be replaced. When it’s time to replace it, you have to remove all of the gravel, set it aside, rip out the fabric, and lay a new layer. This time-consuming, expensive task can be overwhelming and require a lot of space for work.

Other than these concerns, landscape fabric is almost always effective. It’s great for leveling your gravel, lawn, and garden. Many landscape fabrics are designed to filter water and oxygen, allowing your plants to grow without ruining them.

What Can I Use Instead of Landscape Fabric?

You can use newspaper, burlap fabric, or cardboard instead of landscape fabric. Newspaper and cardboard will eventually break down into compost, so you can either replace it or mix it with fertilizer. Some people use thin tarps, but it’s important to poke several holes with a needle for drainage purposes.

Tarps are likely the worst compared to the other options. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking tarps are the same as landscape fabric, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Landscape fabric often has holes to drain water and promote aeration, whereas tarps are solid.

Another issue associated with using a tarp instead of landscape fabric is that it’s not as sturdy. A tarp can bend under the pressure of rain, gravel, and so on. It also might tear, rendering it useless. Furthermore, tarps are brightly colored and can often be seen from above the gravel or soil.

That being said, landscape fabric isn’t a lifetime solution, either. If you’re worried about how often you should replace your fabric or how many years you should get out of it, read on.

Note: You can use a lawn vacuum to clean gravel. Review our article to know how, when, and where you can do it. We also provided a few suggestions.

How Long Will Landscape Fabric Last Under Gravel?

Landscape fabric can last between two to five years, sometimes more, depending on how well you take care of it. Never let pine needles, weeds, and other debris pile on the fabric or it’ll break down quicker. Many types of landscape fabric break down over time, allowing weeds to grow through.

When you see plants poking through the fabric or gravel, it’s time to inspect it. Some fabrics biodegrade, which means you can leave them there and add a new layer. Either way, you shouldn’t see the fabric’s edges deteriorating or pushing themselves above the surface.

Use a lawn vacuum or hose to remove excess debris from the gravel as much as possible to keep the underlying landscape fabric in good condition. Most issues are caused by mold, mildew, piling debris, or lack of maintenance.

In Conclusion

Using landscape fabric will protect your pea gravel or decorative gravel from all sorts of plants, but it won’t maintain the whole surface for you. You’ll have to use low-power leaf blowers to keep the gravel from getting covered in soil, which could lead to plant growth. However, landscape fabric makes it much easier to keep the gravel looking nice and neat!