Yes, landscape fabric will kill some grass when applied to grass that has been mowed for a very short time, and then more material is applied over the landscape fabric to block light. Landscape fabric is unable to kill grass on its own when applied in a single coat, as is often recommended by manufacturers. In these cases, landscape fabric is placed over the sod to speed up the process. Landscape fabric keeps out vital sunlight so the turf underneath can die off.
Applying inorganic materials such as pea gravel is also sufficient. The landscape structure should not be a permanent solution, as mulch, soil and other organic materials decompose the landscape fabric over time. This results in weed growth and more sod growing through the cracks. Landscape fabrics are suitable for many different landscape projects.
Not only will it suppress future weed growth, but it will also smother existing vegetation and eventually kill it. To convert an unkempt area of grass into pea gravel mulch, simply lay the fabric down and spread the pea gravel over it — the grass dies off and decomposes on the spot. The landscaping fabric is breathable and water-permeable, but blocks the sunlight that seeds need for germination. So I put down landscape material to try to stifle that growth and put compost for planting and mulch with large bark on top.
If growth is vigilantly controlled for a growing season after the fabric has been laid, the energy reserves in the roots are depleted and the grass dies. On the other hand, tall raised beds can be placed and filled directly on the grass — especially if the floor is lined with cardboard, landscape fabric, or other material to smother grass and weeds underneath. If grass branches find their way through the landscape fabric and come out through the pea gravel, peel them off immediately to prevent new growth. Many perennial weeds can grow fairly far underground, and because landscape fabric comes in rolls 3 and 4 feet wide, they only need to grow a few feet to find an opening.
Landscape fabrics also come in various thicknesses, ranging from 0.1 millimeters to around 0.5 millimeters. Most gardeners agree that the best location for landscaping is near shrubs and trees, where they can be installed and covered with high-quality mulch that will hopefully last for years. When I bought my house 7 years ago, I had a hell of a time growing up the old fabric that was stuck by all the weeds that grew in it. If you’ve ever had to remove landscape fabric, it’s a mess, and the plants really don’t want to come out, and they end up tearing the fabric when you pull on them, at least when they’re big.
If you’ve chosen landscape fabrics, the following procedures will help ensure the health of your plants and the longevity of your landscaping. Three years ago, I renovated a garden that is covered almost exclusively with blackberries, raspberry canes, bindweed and nettles, with some sturdy shrubs that had not yet been smothered and killed. I’ve used landscape fabric from different brands over the years, so they lay across the ground in multiple layers, mulched, and layered on top of each other. By using high-quality weed control fabric, weed control is significantly reduced, and the material helps retain moisture in the soil, which also helps to save water.