Almost everyone who enjoys gardening hates this one job that comes with it: weeding. You can eliminate the hustle of a back-breaking weeding by getting a weed barrier.
A weed barrier is a special fabric that you can lay on the ground, and then place soil or mulch on it to plant your flowers and other plants. It works by starving weeds off sunlight, water, and oxygen so that they don’t encroach on other plants.
To help you choose the best barrier for your gardening needs, dive into our top 10 weed barrier reviews and buying guide.
Types of Weed Barriers
There are 4 main types of weed barriers discussed in detail below.
1. Natural Barriers
Natural barriers are made using natural materials placed next to plants to prevent weeds from establishing roots around the wanted plants.
Some common organic materials used as natural barriers include mulch, straw, peach moss, and thick leaf layers, among others.
Since the materials are biodegradable, they require annual replenishing.
2. Fabric Barriers
These types of barriers come in rolls that you can buy at a store. Fabric barriers are constructed using synthetic materials and laminated using polyethylene materials.
They tend to be more effective at blocking out weeds than herbicides. The barriers rely on their black color to block sunlight from reaching the underlying weeds, thus preventing them from thriving.
Fabric barriers are meshed to allow oxygen and water to enter the soil.
3. Plastic Barriers
Solid plastics are the most durable and effective weed barriers. When spread over weeds, they block water, oxygen, and sunlight from reaching weeds. They also suffocate the weeds.
Plastic is more tear-resistant than other materials used to make weed barriers. Unfortunately, plastic barriers are pricier than other types, thus making them ideal for long-term projects.
4. Homemade Barriers
You can create homemade weed barriers using old newspapers, cardboard sheets, plastic garbage bags, and other common products you can find around the house.
Most homemade barriers, apart from plastic ones, will allow passage of water and water, and will generally decompose after some time.
Although effective against weeds, they can appear disorganized and messy when applied.
What to Check Before Buying Best Weed Barrier?
1. Your Plants
The types of plants you’ll be growing have an impact on the type of weed barrier you’ll need.
For instance, some plants such as strawberries and lavenders require a lot of water. For this reason, the cover you use needs to have a high water absorption capacity.
Plant layout also determines the barrier you buy. If you intend to plant on a straight edge, get a barrier with printed guidelines.
2. Material
Weed barriers are made of different materials, key among them, polypropylene, which is a thermoplastic polymer. Since we are dealing with fabric barriers, then they are likely going to be made of polypropylene.
Polypropylene is the most popular barrier material because of its superior barrier properties, high strength, low production cost, and good surface finish.
The material you choose should also be eco-friendly so that it does not contaminate the plants, soil, or other parts of the ecosystem.
3. Size
The size of the weed barrier fabric you buy will depend on the area of the garden you desire covered. Most barriers come as rolls measured in square feet.
If you have a small garden, a barrier with a size in the range of 3 feet by 48 feet to 3 feet by 50 feet.
For bigger gardens or grounds, you can opt for larger weed barriers with sizes in the range of 3 feet to 5 feet in width, and 100 feet to 500 feet in length.
4. UV Protected
Since the weed barrier fabric will be used mostly outdoors where it will be exposed to sunlight, then UV protection is a priority feature you should consider.
UV protection ensures that your fabric remains on the ground without getting damaged by harsh sunlight, which can cause the barriers to crack or break.
If your barrier has no UV-protection, you can improvise by adding a layer of gravel or bark on it. This hack can also make your setup more attractive.
5. Ease of Installation
Installing your weed barrier should be a relatively straightforward process. Many barriers just require resizing to appropriate proportions that fit your gardening space.
Most of the barriers we reviewed come with installation steps well-illustrated on their packaging. These guides are easy to follow.
If you want to try out different techniques or gardening styles that incorporate weed barriers, there are plenty of videos online to guide you with such.
6. Durability
You want a weed barrier that will last for the longest time without wearing out and needing replacement.
Most barriers come with their lifespan indicated. It can be 5, 10, 12, and even 25 or more years.
The longer the indicated lifespan, the more confidence you have in your barrier’s durability.
10 Best Weed Barriers of 2021 Reviewed
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Easy Gardener 3102 (Best Budget) |
|
 | 2. DeWitt P5 (Best for Extensive Landscaping) |
|
 | 3. ECOgardener Premium Pro (Best Heavy-duty) |
|
 | 4. Scotts 203235 (Best for Long-term Landscaping) |
|
 | 5. Dewitt 12YR450 (With Hydrophilic Treatment) |
|
 | 6. DeWitt SBLT4300 (For Nurseries & Greenhouses) |
|
 | 7. Agfabric FBA_SV-7KMM-3PE1 (With Soil Erosion Control) |
|
 | 8. Scotts 204133 (For Patios & Walkways) |
|
 | 9. Easy Gardener 21051MJ (Light-duty) |
|
 | 10. Landmaster 301041 (For Permanent Landscaping) |
|
1. Easy Gardener 3102 – Best in Budget
- Material: Burlap
- Dimensions: 3 feet by 48 feet
- Weight: 5 ounces/square yard
Easy Gardener 3102 is the best budget weed barrier on our list. This affordable barrier is great for homeowners with small gardens that don’t require a lot of material.
Unlike most of the other weed barriers we’ve reviewed, this one is made using 100% natural burlap, which excels in supporting seed germination.
The material holds in moisture and prevents wash-away, thus optimizing conditions for germination and sprouting of young plants.
It offers superior plant protection from freezing rain, windburn, ice and also provides shade to sensitive plants during summer.
In the house, you can use burlap for decoration and craft projects so that none of the material is wasted.
Even though Easy Gardener 3102 is very affordable, it does have the smallest surface area of 144 square feet and if you have a bigger garden, you may require buying more material.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Supports germination
- Protects plants from harsh weather
- Also used for decorations
Cons:
- Small size
2. DeWitt P5 – Best for Extensive Landscaping
- Material: Polypropylene
- Dimensions: 5 feet by 250 feet (Also available in other sizes)
- Weight: 5 ounces/square yard
DeWitt P5 stands out as the best weed barrier for extensive landscaping because of its superior surface area of 1250 square feet.
Its large size makes the barrier ideal for large gardens and extensive gardening because of its maximum area coverage.
Besides size, this barrier is made of polypropylene fabric, which has a high resistance to tearing, puncturing, and weed penetration. For this reason, it has been approved for most government weed-control projects.
The dark color of this weed barrier makes it almost 100% opaque to prevent weed seed germination and photosynthesis.
This fabric has a high UV resistance to prevent damage by direct sunlight thus enhancing its durability.
The only thing to worry about with the DeWitt P5 is its rather high price, which is probably because of its large size.
Pros:
- Superior surface area
- Resists puncturing and weed penetration
- Prevents weed seed germination
- UV-resistant for durability
Cons:
- Expensive
3. ECOgardener Premium Pro – Best Heavy-duty
- Material: Polypropylene
- Dimensions: 3 feet x 250 feet (Also available in other sizes)
- Weight: 5 ounces/square yard
ECOgardener Premium Pro is the best heavy-duty weed barrier on our list. It is built to withstand penetration by tough weeds, which makes it a great professional gardening solution.
At 5 ounces per square feet, it is designed to achieve a positive balance between weight and utility. The fabric is light enough for easy transportation and installation, but heavy enough to suppress weed growth in your garden.
This polypropylene fabric is permeable and is efficient in letting air and moisture pass through, thus keeping your plants constantly nourished.
It also combines the moisture retention capacity of non-woven fabric with the strength of heavy-duty woven fabric for superior weed control.
The fabric’s thickness adds to its strength and durability. It is ideal for both cold and warm seasons because of its advanced dual-layer needle-punched fabric.
You will, however, need to pay a premium to enjoy the high-performance of the ECOgardener Premium Pro heavy-duty weed barrier.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Heavy for weed suppression
- Superior air and moisture retention
- Thick and durable
Cons:
- Pricey
4. Scotts 203235 – Best for Long-term Landscaping
- Material: Fabric
- Dimensions: 3 feet by 150 feet
- Weight: 1.5 ounces/square yard
Scotts 203235 is the best weed barrier for landscaping on our list. It comes with a 25-year warranty that ensures you don’t have to worry about weeds for a very long time.
This weed barrier has a heavy-duty build, which resists puncturing and destruction by UV light to support long-term resilience.
It is capable of reducing soil erosion just like the other two fabrics we have reviewed previously. You can even use it on retaining walls, and it will deliver impressively.
The weed barrier gives you a viable long-term option of controlling weeds without requiring harmful herbicides.
A concerning issue we discovered on the Scotts 203235 is that its heavy-duty build makes the fabric unsuitable for irrigation as it takes time for water to pass through it.
Pros:
- Durable for long-term landscaping
- Resists puncturing and UV damage
- Controls soil erosion
- Also works great on retaining walls
Cons:
- Not ideal for irrigation
5. Dewitt 12YR450 – Best with Hydrophilic Treatment
- Material: Polypropylene
- Dimensions: 4 feet by 50 feet
- Weight: 3 ounces/square yard
Dewitt 12YR450 is a high-quality weed barrier whose hydrophilic treatment enables superior water and nutrient flow through the fabric to keep your plants constantly nourished.
This weed barrier has an excellent build quality. It features melt-down material fabricated using a spun-bound method to create powerful 3-layer weed protection. Its carbon black color is great for minimizing light penetration, thus surpassing weed growth.
It has a total area of 200 square feet, which is great for small-sized gardens that don’t require a lot of barrier material. This could be a flower garden or a small lawn.
The weed barrier is also great for long-term landscaping because it has a 12-year warranty. You won’t have to worry about replacing or maintaining it anytime soon.
A potential setback we identified with the Dewitt 12YR450 is that it does not perform well on soft soil thus making it great for lava rock and related environments.
Pros:
- Hydrophilic treated for moisture retention
- Multi-layer weed protection
- Ideal for small-sized gardens
- Durable for long-term projects
Cons:
- Not ideal for use on soft soil
6. DeWitt SBLT4300 – Best for Nurseries and Greenhouses
- Material: Polypropylene
- Dimensions: 4 feet by 300 feet
- Weight: 3.2 ounces/square yard
DeWitt SBLT4300 is a weed barrier whose features come optimized for use in greenhouses and nurseries.
The most notable feature of this polypropylene fabric is its superior surface area of 1200 square feet, which makes the barrier great for medium-to-large spaces such as greenhouses and nurseries.
This barrier has been UV-stabilized and is permeable to allow passage of water and air cost-effectively. It is also ecologically safe and works as a great herbicide alternative.
When exposed to direct sunlight, this weed barrier has a 5-year durability guarantee, which makes it ideal for use in nurseries where gardening occurs on a regular basis.
For easy plant alignment, the fabric has a yellow guide strip every 12 inches for consistent and uniform placement.
We did notice, however, that the DeWitt SBLT4300 is not great for irrigation gardening where large amounts of water are sprayed on plants. It takes time to seep through.
Pros:
- Large surface area
- UV-stable and permeable fabric
- Resists damage by direct sunlight
- Easy plant alignment
Cons:
- Not ideal for irrigation
7. Agfabric FBA_SV-7KMM-3PE1 – Best for Soil Erosion Control
- Material: Polypropylene
- Dimensions: 3 feet by 50 feet
- Weight: 3 ounces/square yard
Agfabric FBA_SV-7KMM-3PE1 is a unique weed barrier, which is also built to prevent soil erosion in your lawn or garden.
Its ability for soil erosion control protects your nutrient-rich topsoil from being washed away by the rain or water.
Because the fabric is UV-stabilized, it will last for many years without wearing out from sunlight exposure. This feature, combined with its small size, makes the fabric great for reusing by simply cleaning it.
The polypropylene fabric is environmentally safe and controls weeds without the need for harmful herbicides.
Planting management is achieved by the fabric through its rows line design for even and consistent plant spacing.
We did note, however, that because of the Agfabric FBA_SV-7KMM-3PE1, you should minimize or avoid cutting it because such action may trigger fabric fraying.
Pros:
- Soil erosion control
- UV-stabilized for durability
- Environmentally-friendly fabric
- Supports planting management
Cons:
- Not suitable for cutting or resizing
8. Scotts 204133 – Best for Patios and Walkways
- Material: Fabric
- Dimensions: 4 feet by 220 feet (Also available in 4 ft. x 100 ft.)
- Weight: 1.5 ounces/square yard
Scotts 204133 is a weed barrier whose length of 220 feet and total surface area of 880 square feet have been optimized for weed prevention in patios and driveways.
And just like the Agfabric FBA_SV-7KMM-3PE1, this fabric also has the capabilities of controlling soil erosion, especially when used on retaining walls.
Long-term durability is another strength of this UV-protected fabric. You can depend on it to suppress weeds for at least a decade before needing replacement.
It is also lightweight for easy transportation and installation. You can use the weed barrier for retaining wall jobs.
However, because Scotts 204133 has a thinner profile than most weed barriers, it is not the best for heavy-duty applications that pile too much pressure on the fabric.
Pros:
- Size optimized for walkways and patios
- Controls soil erosion
- Also supports retaining walls
- Lightweight for easy handling
Cons:
- Not ideal for heavy-duty applications
9. Easy Gardener 21051MJ – Best-Light-duty
- Material: Polypropylene
- Dimensions: 3 feet by 100 feet (Also available in 3 ft. x 50 ft. size)
Easy Gardener 21051MJ is a light-duty weed barrier that is built for efficient passage of water and air to keep your flowers and other light vegetation constantly full of nutrients.
This combination of factors makes the polypropylene fabric a great choice of permanent gardens garden areas where you can control weeds naturally without the need for chemicals.
It is also UV-resistant for the durability required to make the fabric a 15-year one. You get superior sunlight blocking for weed growth deterrence.
The weed barrier is lightweight to facilitate easy transportation and installing. You don’t have to hire professionals to help you set up the fabric.
An issue we noted with the Easy Gardener 21051MJ is that its light-duty profile makes it unsuitable in areas with tough and aggressive weeds because of ease of puncturing.
Pros:
- Highly permeable to allow water and air passage
- Eliminates the need for chemicals in gardens
- UV-resistant with superior light blocking capacity
- Lightweight for ease of installation
Cons:
- Not ideal for areas with tough weeds
10. Landmaster 301041 – Best for Permanent Landscaping
- Material: Polypropylene
- Dimensions: 3 feet by 50 feet (Also available in other sizes)
Landmaster 301041 is a durable, 15-year polypropylene fabric built for use in permanent landscaping projects.
This fabric keeps the soil in your garden consistently moist, cool, and nutrient-rich while simultaneously minimizing the growth of weeds.
It also succeeds in allowing maximum water and airflow so that your plants can grow optimally.
Since its focus on permanent landscaping, you can use the fabric under decks, permanent walkways, and in flower gardens, all the areas where you desire to save weeding time.
Another feature you will love about this fabric is that it is UV-protected to prolong its lifespan. You can also get the weed barrier in a 25-year fabric for even longer utilization.
It’s worth noting that the Landmaster 301041 has a very thin layer of fabric, which can be punctured by strong weeds or other objects. Hence, it is not ideal for areas prone to aggressive weeds.
Pros:
- Optimized for permanent landscaping
- Superior soil moisturization and aeration
- Can be used in multiple settings
- UV-protection for durability
Cons:
- Not ideal for areas with aggressive weeds
Conclusion
Having explored everything there is to know about weed barriers, you’re all set to grab a roll or several.
When shopping for a weed barrier, remember to get a size that will fit your gardening area to guarantee maximum coverage. You can also get a UV-protected one to maximize its durability.
Also, ensure that the material you choose for your barrier is optimized for weed prevention and eco-friendliness.
You can always count on our top 10 weed barrier reviews and buying guides to help you choose the best fit for your gardening needs.
In this post:
- Types of Weed Barriers
- What to Check Before Buying Best Weed Barrier?
- 10 Best Weed Barriers of 2021 Reviewed
- 1. Easy Gardener 3102 – Best in Budget
- 2. DeWitt P5 – Best for Extensive Landscaping
- 3. ECOgardener Premium Pro – Best Heavy-duty
- 4. Scotts 203235 – Best for Long-term Landscaping
- 5. Dewitt 12YR450 – Best with Hydrophilic Treatment
- 6. DeWitt SBLT4300 – Best for Nurseries and Greenhouses
- 7. Agfabric FBA_SV-7KMM-3PE1 – Best for Soil Erosion Control
- 8. Scotts 204133 – Best for Patios and Walkways
- 9. Easy Gardener 21051MJ – Best-Light-duty
- 10. Landmaster 301041 – Best for Permanent Landscaping
- Conclusion