Landscaping fabric has been used to optimize soil filtration and prevent weeds from growing. If you’re trying to get rid of old mulch without ruining the landscaping fabric, then you might run into a few problems. The good news is that you’re in the right place to discover everything there is to know about the process.
You can put landscape fabric over old mulch if the mulch doesn’t have too many weeds. Excessive amounts of weeds in the old mulch can cause the seeds to spread if you remove the fabric too quickly. Make sure the old mulch is clean. Otherwise, you’ll have to remove it before you lay the fabric.
Throughout this article, you’ll learn the following info about putting landscaping fabric over old mulch:
- Step-by-step instructions to get the project finished on time
- A list of issues that you might encounter along the way
- Common mistakes and their solutions
How to Put Landscape Fabric Over Old Mulch
If you’re willing to put the possible problems aside, then you’ll be able to get it done in a few hours. It’s not difficult to place landscaping fabric, but it’s time-consuming. The dangers of putting landscaping fabric over old mulch shouldn’t be forgotten, so don’t forget to research them in the next section.
Without further ado, here’s how you can put landscape fabric over old mulch:
- Sort through the mulch to see if there are any weeds or bugs. Old mulch can harbor all sorts of plants and pests, so you must start by getting rid of them. If you leave them behind, more bugs and weeds will push through the landscaping fabric, ruining it far before its life expectancy.
- As mentioned by Houzz, you’ll need to remove any old fabric from the soil. It’s never a good idea to leave old fabric because it’ll ruin the oxygen supply and limit the soil’s moisture. Furthermore, it can cause root rot, destroying your grass, and making your lawn or garden look terrible.
- Level the soil to ensure that the landscaping fabric doesn’t show lumps. If you don’t level the fabric, it’ll stay bumpy for many years to come. You’ll have to wait for the weight of the new mulch to push it down. Lumpy soil isn’t fun to look at, but it’s also bad for the roots because they won’t get enough hydration and oxygen.
- Lay the landscaping fabric over the soil. Make sure you press it against the soil as you move from edge to edge. Note that the fabric should be porous enough to allow moisture and oxygen to flow through easily. Consider testing it by spraying the fabric with a hose to check if water goes through the other side.
- Place the soil or mulch over the new landscaping fabric. Do it slowly to prevent the fabric from breaking. Too much soil on one spot can cause the ground to indent, tearing the fabric. Make sure that it’s evenly spread and watered as you move throughout the yard.
As you can see, it’s not too difficult to put landscaping fabric over old mulch. As long as you’re able to follow the steps mentioned above, you’ll be able to ensure the health of your lawn. However, some people find that it’s too problematic to try. If you want to know what problems you might run into, proceed to the next section.
Possible Problems With Mulch and Landscaping Fabric
Unfortunately, this process doesn’t come without a few issues. Many people who’ve used landscaping fabric have noticed that it doesn’t allow oxygen, nutrients, and water to pour through. The result is grass rotting and drying out. There are ways to avoid this issue, but they’re time-consuming and costly.
Consider these possibilities before you decide to put landscaping fabric over old mulch:
- Old mulch can clump together, preventing nutrients from penetrating the soil. When you top it off with a layer of fabric, you’ll further reduce the nutrient retention, ruining the soil below your grass. Sadly, it can happen so fast that you won’t have enough time to react and save the lawn or garden.
- If you don’t see weeds or rocks in the old mulch before placing the fabric, you could risk ruining the foundation. Your soil needs to be healthy. Fortunately, old mulch often decomposes and turns into soil. If it’s almost decomposed, then it’s unlikely that you’ll have to deal with this problem.
- The LawnSite community mentions that if you’re working for a company and your customers ask you to place landscaping fabric over old mulch, you should get a waiver. Due to the issues mentioned above, some people might feel the need to complain if things go wrong. Protect yourself with a waiver.
- Old mulch that isn’t well-maintained can start to develop a foul odor. If you’re not able to remove the source of the odor, it’ll be trapped underneath the fabric and trapped for many years to come. Root rot, bacteria, and fungal growth aren’t uncommon when you allow odors to stay in old mulch and grass.
The possible problems might not be enough to scare you away from using new fabric over old mulch. If you’re willing to push through the dangers (they’re few and far between), then you should check out the common mistakes listed below.
Common Mistakes
There are a few avoidable mistakes, most of which can cause irreparable damage if they’re not fixed. The good news is that they’re not impossible to prevent from happening.
So, what sort of mistakes might happen if you put landscape fabric over old mulch?
Cutting the Fabric Too Short
According to Do It Yourself, many first-time landscapers cut the fabric too short. When you make this mistake, you won’t have enough to cover the whole yard. You’ll have to take it all out, replace it, and spend far more time and money than you should have. Take the extra time to measure the yard and the fabric before you get started.
Not Overlapping the Fabric
If you happen to come across a fabric that’s not long enough to cover the whole yard, then you should overlap the edges. If there are gaps, you won’t reap any of the benefits of having landscape fabric. Furthermore, the fabric will start to bend upwards, ruining the appearance and making it feel tacky.
Failure to Secure the Fabric to the Ground
Failure to secure the fabric to the soil will cause it to move around. You’ll notice that gaps start to form, presenting you with the previously mentioned problems. The good news is that landscape fabric stakes aren’t too expensive, but they’re incredibly effective. When you have the ground smoothened out and the fabric staked, you’ll be able to enjoy the results.
These mistakes aren’t deal-breakers, but they’re worth knowing before you start the project. Now that you know how to get it done, you’ll be able to complete it without any hiccups along the way.
Conclusion
You can put landscape fabric over old mulch, but you need to be careful while doing so. With all of the mistakes and problems that you might encounter, you should consider hiring a professional to get it done. Nevertheless, a DIY installation can be done easily, affordably, and in a timely manner.
Here’s a recap of the post:
- Don’t forget to remove weeds, seeds, bugs, and fungus from old mulch.
- Ensure that the landscape fabric is large enough to cover the whole yard.
- Level the ground before you place the fabric over old mulch.