LANDSCAPE iNSTALLATIONS

To finish the overall project, mulch or stone/gravel is typically applied around the plantings, per customer request. This helps to keep down weeds while simultaneously enhancing the overall appearance. Paul’s Landscaping generally recommends against the usage of landscape fabric/weed barrier when using mulch. The reason is that mulch naturally decomposes over time on top of the landscape fabric, creating a layer of topsoil on top of the landscape fabric. The weeds then can grow in the new topsoil, defeating the purpose of landscape fabric. Over the course of several years, the weed roots can then grow through the fabric into the soil below, damaging the landscape fabric to the point that it often needs to be removed, which is a time consuming process. For stone or gravel, landscape fabric/weed barrier is needed to prevent weeds as well as to prevent dirt from beneath the stone from splashing onto the stone. Landscape fabric beneath stone does not seem to fail as quickly as landscape fabric beneath mulch, especially if regular weeding is done while the weeds are still small. Plastic edging may be added around the landscape installation if the customer requests. Plastic edging has the advantage of not requiring annual edging with a spade. It also can help prevent stone or mulch from moving onto the yard, reducing the amount that needs to be picked up from the lawn.