When using landscaping fabric, preparing the ground for the project is as important as the quality of materials used. While many people have been weed barrier directly over existing or newly prepared area, the best performance and long-term results are quite good with the preparation.
Getting Started
Measure and mark the territory. Most professionals use inverted marking paint, but you can also use string, sticks, stones, pipes, or whatever you have available. Purchase order orHis landscape fabric to ensure that it is obvious when you start the project.
Remove all plants
Once the project areas is measured and marked, remove all vegetation. Depending on the area you work, there are several ways to remove trees and vegetation.
In the meadows that are covered and / or regions, we almost always around a double application of a non-selective herbicide such as. Make sure the area is actively growing, sprayHerbicide according to instructions, and then let it do its job. Within 5-7 days after application, irrigation of the area to start the growth of what has survived and all the seeds, which can boost vital. Repeat the application of herbicides. You may also want to repeat again if necessary.
In some cases we use a sod cutter to remove the top few inches of turf. In general, this is, after killing all the weeds, and is usually done to explore the region and make room for mulch, stones or otherOverburden.
I have seen other professionals to install landscape fabric over areas that are only cut turf, but were not killed with a herbicide. I can not recommend. Sod cutters only cut off the top of the lawn and really nothing to kill the roots. This could be a future problem, if you have deep roots aggressive weeds or grasses such as Bermuda.
For non-turf areas and old bed, you can talk to the method herbicide. And for all areas, including lawnAreas, you can use the method of herbicides or solorization.
Sunburn is basically baking the soil and expose it to extremely high temperatures that kill weed seeds and vegetation. This process is very simple and it works very well, but takes the longest to do.
Paving the way
If you plant to plant in areas where you plan to install the fabric, it is necessary to work in soil amendments and nutrients before installation. If possible, I recommend using slow-release organic fertilizerNutrients and compost. Try also the pH of the soil and add lime or sulfur in the right quantity, if necessary.
Once the weed barrier exists, is only able to add chemical fertilizers surface applied and will not be able to work the land. Of course you can add the changes to each hole as you plant the plant. However, it is time consuming, messy, and not through the root zone of the system to be extended.
Use a bar or spade, and amendmentsNutrients from 4 to 6 inches in the soil surface. Remove stones, sticks, debris and clods break. Rake the surface smooth.
Install irrigation systems
If you have an idea of where you and your plants are expected to have an automatic drip irrigation, now is the time to put it. Place the main tube and power to run and drip emitters, in which your plants are. If you are planning a bubbler system, should be installed before the area wasmaintained.
Installing the Fabric
The easiest way to do this is to put the first barrier, before planting your plants. Some people recommend safety pins to hold the material in its place. There is an option. However, if you prefer to save money, you can hold down the edges with the floor covering you want to use. We normally only place or a stack bags of mulch, stone, or other ground cover along the edges and spreads from there, if we are ready plants.
I also saw aSome people plant the crop and then inserting the tops of the plants. This is usually tough on vegetation, breaking branches, and time-consuming.
It can be cut with a sharp knife or razor blade, useful stuff, but the best and easiest way we found that runs along the cut is to use a pair of sharp scissors. And instead of working the scissors, hold them ajar, where the leaves form a "V". Store the material in which both blades come together in "V" and push it through theCloth.
Plant
Mark your site or where the plants, have a vision. Use a sharp knife, razor blade or scissors and cut an "x" in the fabric of the size of the pot or root ball. Do not cut the size of the pot outside. Cut the "x" and bend the fins. Make the hole. Location and work the system properly. Gently place the plant near the edges.
Now place 2 to 4 inches of your chosen ground cover over the area and make sure to keep the flap cut and hold it in place.
AverageLandscaping to ensure the excess material along the edges, remains close to the edges.
