How to Cut Installed Landscape Fabric

Landscape fabric, a thin and porous geo-textile, works effectively as a weed barrier beneath a layer of mulch in a flower garden. Water and nutrients can still reach desired plant roots, but landscape fabric stops weeds from penetrating through mulch. When you already have landscape fabric covering a planting area, you can still cut it plant new plants. Cut the fabric carefully to ensure you can still use it around the new plants.

Small shovel
Bucket
Precision knife or sharp shears

Instructions

- 1
  Remove any mulch from over the new planting area so you can access the landscape fabric underneath. Brush the mulch away or lift it with a small shovel. Place the mulch in the bucket temporarily while you work.
- 2
  Cut an "X" in the landscape fabric. Use the precision knife or a sharp shears to make an X that is just large enough to fit the plant. Do not make the X any larger than necessary to accommodate the plant.
- 3
  Pull the flaps of the X back to expose the soil. You can now place the plant in the soil after digging a small hole. Replace the soil around the roots of the plant and firm the soil gently.
- 4
  Replace the flaps of the landscape fabric snugly around the plant stem. The flaps landscape fabric should cover the soil again effectively after you replace them around the plant.
- 5
  Return the mulch back to the planting area, arranging it neatly around the plant over the landscape fabric. Strive for between 3 and 4 inches of mulch to prevent the mulch from decomposing too quickly.

Difference Between a Poly Drip & a Soaker Hose

How to Make a Greenhouse for Seedlings

Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens