Planting grass on top of old landscape fabric. - Ask Extension
We are planting grass where my perennial garden used to be.... We dug up all the perennials and donated them to Habitat For Humanity.
My question is: ...
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Planting grass on top of old landscape fabric. #252723
Asked June 09, 2015, 5:18 PM EDT
We are planting grass where my perennial garden used to be.... We dug up all the perennials and donated them to Habitat For Humanity.
My question is: There is old landscape fabric 2" below the dirt- Can I plant grass in this area without removing the landscape fabric?
Eaton County Michigan
Expert Response
The short answer is no to planting grass over landscape fabric. Mainly because of root growth interference. Turf grass needs 6 inches of unobstructed soil. Landscape fabric also impedes any natural occurring soil improvements such as leaf decomposition. If you want optimum turf grass performance, soil test from the area is recommended before planting: http://msusoiltest.com/ This would reveal exactly what is needed in the way of nutrients and/or soil amendments.
I understand the difficulty in removing long standing landscape fabric but I see it as a must do in this case. No fan of landscape fabric myself, there are a lot of negatives to using it. Might be weed free look great when you first put it down, but the negatives will always come back to haunt you, sooner or later.
Sorry I can't tell you what you want to hear. Good luck!
I understand the difficulty in removing long standing landscape fabric but I see it as a must do in this case. No fan of landscape fabric myself, there are a lot of negatives to using it. Might be weed free look great when you first put it down, but the negatives will always come back to haunt you, sooner or later.
Sorry I can't tell you what you want to hear. Good luck!
