Landscapers Felt that actually works ??

57_Hemi · 08-24-2010, 08:57 AM

hi there

Bought my home 1 year back....noticed that the earth on the right side of the home slopes slightly towards the house itself. I just finished tearing up my entire basement by removing all the old 60s/70s wood panelling and old ceiling tiles. I Inspected the walls and noticed a few spots where water had penetrated thru in the past. We've had some crazy rainfalls in the last month or so and have not noticed a single wet/damp area (thank god for that) which leaves me to think the old water marks were a problem of the past and most likely repaired somehow by the previous home owners.....

However, even though I do not notice any more moisture issues in the basement I still want to do the right thing and regrade away from the home. All downspouts are directed a fair distance way from the home already and shouldnt be an issue.

My question .......
Is there any "landscaping felt" (so i am told it is called) that actually works to prevent weeds/ grass from penetrating thru.

Not only to I want to regrade the right side but I am also thinking of compacting it down afterwards with a thin layer of finely crushed stone then a few decorative patio stones leading towards the back of the home and surrounding them with 3/4 crushed stone in between to make it an accessible walkway.

I know people who have spent $100+ at home depot for "landscapers felt" that had covered a small 3ft x 10ft area only to have tonnes of weeds/ grass pop thru the very next year.

Any info on what brand of landscapers felt would be greatly appreciated...... or if there is any other type product reccommeded.

Thanks guys/gals

ferris13 · 08-24-2010, 09:25 AM

Debris, dirt, grass clippings etc just build up on the felt/fabric over the years and provide an area for weeds to grow. You simply have to maintain it. I would definetly use it under landscape stone. My thinking is it is easier to keep the stone/dirt seperate in case you change the design later.

I would suggest that each spring you sprinkle some "Preen" into the stone to prevent the germination of weeds. Some Preen and spot weeding should keep the labor of weeding to a minimum.

moondawg · 08-24-2010, 10:02 AM

Nature will not be denied. ANY solution, including dropping concrete 6 feet deep, will NOT prevent weeds.

For our landscaping, we used good quality landscaping fabric, with 2" of river rock on top. It does a pretty good job of preventing weeds. As the other poster said, small amounts of dirt will gather on top of the fabric and give the weeds a foothold. They will develop small roots that pass through the fabric into the ground below. The weeds are extremely easy to pull up at this point. We weed our landscaping 1x a week or so, and it doesn't look bad at all.

H. A. S. · 08-24-2010, 10:13 AM

Just like Moondawg says, ' Nature will not be denied. ANY solution, including dropping concrete 6 feet deep, will NOT prevent weeds.'

Scuba_Dave · 08-24-2010, 10:32 AM

I just redid an area & used my old winter cover for the pool
Cut & folded over a few times...rocks on top

57_Hemi · 08-24-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferris13

Debris, dirt, grass clippings etc just build up on the felt/fabric over the years and provide an area for weeds to grow. You simply have to maintain it. I would definetly use it under landscape stone. My thinking is it is easier to keep the stone/dirt seperate in case you change the design later.

I would suggest that each spring you sprinkle some "Preen" into the stone to prevent the germination of weeds. Some Preen and spot weeding should keep the labor of weeding to a minimum.

Good idea in keeping dirt seperate from stone b/c I eventually (one day) would like to go ahead and redo my flower beds in front of the home and design a "nicer" walkway commencing from the front of the home right around towards the rear with a new pressure treated fence along side of the home. However, definetley dont have the funds for that project right now...alot of other more important things on the go.

Thanks again

**PS** THANKS TO THE REST OF THE MEMBERS FOR THIER INPUT....MUCH APPRECIATED

08-24-2010, 08:57 AM	#1
57_Hemi Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: TORONTO CANADA Posts: 81	Landscapers Felt that actually works ?? hi there Bought my home 1 year back....noticed that the earth on the right side of the home slopes slightly towards the house itself. I just finished tearing up my entire basement by removing all the old 60s/70s wood panelling and old ceiling tiles. I Inspected the walls and noticed a few spots where water had penetrated thru in the past. We've had some crazy rainfalls in the last month or so and have not noticed a single wet/damp area (thank god for that) which leaves me to think the old water marks were a problem of the past and most likely repaired somehow by the previous home owners..... However, even though I do not notice any more moisture issues in the basement I still want to do the right thing and regrade away from the home. All downspouts are directed a fair distance way from the home already and shouldnt be an issue. My question ....... Is there any "landscaping felt" (so i am told it is called) that actually works to prevent weeds/ grass from penetrating thru. Not only to I want to regrade the right side but I am also thinking of compacting it down afterwards with a thin layer of finely crushed stone then a few decorative patio stones leading towards the back of the home and surrounding them with 3/4 crushed stone in between to make it an accessible walkway. I know people who have spent $100+ at home depot for "landscapers felt" that had covered a small 3ft x 10ft area only to have tonnes of weeds/ grass pop thru the very next year. Any info on what brand of landscapers felt would be greatly appreciated...... or if there is any other type product reccommeded. Thanks guys/gals

08-24-2010, 09:25 AM	#2
ferris13 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 90	Landscapers Felt that actually works ?? Debris, dirt, grass clippings etc just build up on the felt/fabric over the years and provide an area for weeds to grow. You simply have to maintain it. I would definetly use it under landscape stone. My thinking is it is easier to keep the stone/dirt seperate in case you change the design later. I would suggest that each spring you sprinkle some "Preen" into the stone to prevent the germination of weeds. Some Preen and spot weeding should keep the labor of weeding to a minimum.

08-24-2010, 10:02 AM	#3
moondawg Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 155	Landscapers Felt that actually works ?? Nature will not be denied. ANY solution, including dropping concrete 6 feet deep, will NOT prevent weeds. For our landscaping, we used good quality landscaping fabric, with 2" of river rock on top. It does a pretty good job of preventing weeds. As the other poster said, small amounts of dirt will gather on top of the fabric and give the weeds a foothold. They will develop small roots that pass through the fabric into the ground below. The weeds are extremely easy to pull up at this point. We weed our landscaping 1x a week or so, and it doesn't look bad at all.

08-24-2010, 10:13 AM	#4
H. A. S. Enough is Enough Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 80	Landscapers Felt that actually works ?? Just like Moondawg says, ' Nature will not be denied. ANY solution, including dropping concrete 6 feet deep, will NOT prevent weeds.'

08-24-2010, 10:32 AM	#5
Scuba_Dave Xtreme DIY'r Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South of Boston, MA Posts: 17,248	Landscapers Felt that actually works ?? I just redid an area & used my old winter cover for the pool Cut & folded over a few times...rocks on top

Landscapers Felt that actually works ??