If you’re planning to install landscape fabric this fall, you might be wondering if now really is the best time to do it. Will it get too cold? Will it get too wet? These are all valid concerns, but they can be addressed in order to ensure that your landscape fabric is installed at just the right time, giving you the best results possible without any wasted effort or resources. This article will help you determine the best time of year to install landscape fabric, as well as offer installation tips and landscape fabric benefits that will further guide your decision.
How to Identify the Best Time
Landscape fabric can provide a wide range of benefits when used correctly.
Once you’ve decided to install landscape fabric, it’s important to know when is best for your project. So, how do you know what time of year will work best for your needs? Here are some things to consider:
1) Weather – Landscape fabric installation is typically done during cool weather, and there are two types of installations: permanent and temporary. Permanent installations should be completed before summer so that they don’t get ruined by frost or heavy rains in the fall. Temporary installations can be done any time but will need to be removed by winter.
2) Planting Schedule – If you plan on planting new plants over the next few months, then it would be better to wait until after spring planting season to install landscape fabric.
3) Temperature Range – If the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time, this may indicate that it’s an ideal time to install landscape fabric.
4) Plant Material – If you have specific plant materials (ex. bulbs) that will die if planted too early, then it may be best to wait.
5) Accessibility – When installing landscape fabric permanently, accessibility matters. It’s easier to access the area with landscaping equipment and more people during warmer weather than cooler temperatures.
When Not to Install
Most landscape fabrics are created with a six-month plant growing season in mind. That means it’s ideal for spring and fall installations, but not ideal for hot summer months or cold winter months. You can install landscape fabric during these times, but you’ll want to be sure your product is designed specifically for year-round use — which many aren’t. There’s also an issue of temperatures at installation time: Remember that the temperature of your landscaping fabric will change significantly from when you buy it until you get around to installing it. If it’s too cold out, plan on installing your fabric later in the year; if it’s too hot out, wait until cooler weather.
Contact us at All Around Soil & Stone for all your landscaping fabric needs!
