Weed block, also called landscape fabric, is a fabric designed to block weeds from growing in your landscape beds.  It is installed as a layer of fabric between the soil and mulch or rock.  But, does it really block out weeds?  I have mixed thoughts about that.....

The quality of the fabric is important, and the thin, plastic fabric just breaks down too easily.  Any break in the barrier allows for weeds to grow, and the thin, cheap stuff can break down enough over time that is actually pokes up through the mulch, in little pieces.  The heavy duty nylon commercial grade does hold up better, but it is difficult to cut through to replace any plants.  My preference to use in all of the available types is the medium grade that is similar to a felt material, as it doesn't rip as easily, and if you need to replace a plant, it is manageable to dig through.

That still doesn't answer the question, though, does it block out weeds?  Yes, in the beginning it does.  But, mulch is an organic material that breaks down over time to create compost.  As well, if you have leaf drop from trees or bushes, they break down to compost as well, and compost makes a great medium for weed seeds to root.  So, while the weed block may stop a lot of weeds from growing up from the underlying soil, it does not stop weeds that sow and grow in the mulch, or from runners that crawl from outside the bed (like St. Augustine sod, or other running weeds).  So, while it does work initially, in the long run it does not.

So, why use weed block, then?  You need it for rock.  If you are going to use rock anywhere in your landscape, you need the landscape fabric to stop the rock from sinking into the ground.  And, rock will sink over time.  Weeds will grow in rock over time, too (just look at the weeds in a crack in the sidewalk!), but if you use a good quality weed block under your rock, you will have to top dress it or add to it less often over time.

For me, weed block is mostly ineffective as a weed control, but is useful when installing rock.  If you are now feeling discouraged about having one less tool to help in the battle against weeds, don't be!  I will post soon with some tips to help give you the advantage, and maybe, just maybe, win the war!

 

 

 

 

Selecting the right shade tree for your landscape is an important decision, just as important as to where you want to plant it.  "Shade tree" is a general term that describes trees that eventually grow to a height of 40' or more, with a potential canopy spread to match.

Some shade trees are more upright in growth habit, such as Winged Elm (pictured above), Red Maple, Sycamore, Sweet Gum, and Magnolia.  Other shade trees are more rounded in growth habit, such as Live Oak, Laurel Oak, Camphor, and Drake Elm.    When deciding where you want to plant your new tree, the growth habit may narrow your choices, and make your decision easier.

If you have the space for a shade tree to grow, then you may want to next consider it's leaf and seed drop potential, with regards to it's maintenance level.  Most shade trees are deciduous (meaning that they drop their leaves in the winter such as Maples, Elms, Oaks, Sweet Gum and Sycamore), while others shed their leaves throughout the year (such as Camphor and Magnolia).  And, all shade trees drop their seeds, of which some can be a nuisance in size (Sweet Gum, Sycamore, Magnolia) or in germinating or freely seeding in your landscape beds (Camphor, Drake Elm).

Next, evaluate your desired planting location for your new tree.  Determine if you have enough room for the canopy to grow, and for the roots to spread out at least three times the canopy size.  While the canopy can be pruned and trimmed to a degree, the roots cannot be.  While the majority of a shade tree's root system is not a concern, most certainly those within 15-20' of the trunk can be.  Large roots can crack sidewalks, water pipes, sewer lines, and house foundations.

Picking the right shade tree for your landscape can avoid many headaches in the future.  Most cities, counties, and HOA's have restrictions on tree removal, and in some cases, permitting is required.    As well, large tree removals are expensive, and unnecessary with proper planning!

As a last note, if you are uncertain as to whether a shade tree is the right choice for your landscape, consider an "ornamental" or "understory" tree that can grow to 20-30'.  Some potential options are select varieties of Bottlebrush, Crape Myrtle, Holly, and even palms.   With the right planning and a little education, you can find the perfect shade tree that you can enjoy for many, many years to come.

 

Flagstone paths and walkways are a simple solution to solve those wet and muddy areas of your landscape, that are dank and shaded.  It is near impossible to grow grass in this type of site condition, between the fence and house or pool cage,  where mulch just seems to grow weeds.

A charming solution is to add a natural stone path or walkway with flagstone, and you can get as creative as your mind and budget allow!  Define the size of your walkway and the space that you want it to cover, and determine if you want plant beds or hardscaping like benches, pots, or boulders.

The final result not only solves those wet and muddy lost areas of your yard, it creates a beautiful addition to your landscape!