Should a person put liner or plastic down before putting mulch down?

John robinson
by John robinson

should aperson put liner or plastic down before putting mulch down to plant new flowers to prevent weeds?

  7 answers
  • Erin Erin on Mar 24, 2019

    I would consider it.

  • DesertRose DesertRose on Mar 24, 2019

    Yes, use a black weed barrier OR you can substitute layers of paper like newspaper or even cardboard. They work perfectly too. Be sure to use cypress or cedar chip mulch to prevent bugs too. You don't want to draw termites etc to the foundation of the house.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Mar 24, 2019

    As long as the roots of the plants have a place to grow down into the soil -- you would need to cut a hole under the seedlings to let them do this.

  • Phaedra Phaedra on Mar 24, 2019

    JMO. I prefer to do thick newspaper or cardboard. The trouble with weed block or plastic is that the mulch eventually breaks down into soil and weeds grow on top of it and put down roots thru it. Then you have to disrupt your flower bed and rip up the weedblock and start over. Newspaper/cardboard composts so when the much starts to break down you just add another layer of newspaper/cardboard and more mulch. Also the newspaper/cardboard holds moisture and youre recycling.

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Mar 24, 2019

    John...I would...we use landscaping fabric from Lowe's.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Mar 24, 2019

    Keep in mind that there are various grades: thicknesses and qualities, of landscape fabric. All brands are not equal.


    Generally lower prices indicates thinner, less durable fabric.