Graham Elsey, Marketing Manager for Growtivation provides some practical advice on how to decide which landscape membranes to use and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Easter is the prime time for landscaping projects to get going, so start planning now because research and preparation are key to a good end-result. It’s generally a much better outcome when you know what result you are after, as that will determine which product you need.
If you’re planning on creating a simple garden border topped with bark, then our Weedtex fabric will keep the weeds at bay, whereas for areas to be covered with sharp, angular stone we would recommend Groundtex tough geo fabric. The last thing an installer wants are weeds poking through an otherwise immaculate new garden or commercial landscape scheme.
To get a professional finish, you also need to consider if you need a membrane for ground stabilisation as well as weed control and whether you use a different fabric for each application or a multi-purpose one that can do both. If you’re unsure, it’s best to ask for advice – that way you can guarantee a great result.
With most landscaping projects, getting weeds under control is crucial. Luckily, there are several options available, depending on your needs and the type of surface.
Weedtex offers effective weed suppression for many different uses, including beneath decking and flower borders. It allows nutrients (including liquid feed and fertilisers), water and air into the soil to maintain its goodness and promote plant growth, while preventing weeds getting the daylight they need to grow.
Our Landtex professional landscape fabric is a thicker alternative, providing heavy duty and eco-friendly weed control in most types of landscape projects.
Working by effectively suppressing weeds and stopping the light they need to grow, Landtex eliminates the need to use chemicals and allows nutrients (including liquid feed and fertilisers), water and air to permeate, creating a healthy, fertile soil that promotes plant growth. It can also be used under gravel and other materials, provided it is rounded, and is easily cut without fraying, for planting through. This makes it ideal for use as a weed suppressant in planting schemes.
Ground stabilisation
Groundtex is a tough woven geo fabric which successfully meets the requirements for both use above ground as a heavy duty weed barrier and, due to its excellent strength and tear resistance, below ground as a stabilising and separating geotextile in groundwork and hard landscaping.
For creating a stable and level base for a pathway or patio area, first use the fabric beneath the sub-base. It is perfect for ground stabilisation and weed control uses in both soft and hard landscaping schemes.
To create and maintain a perfect driveway, we suggest installing a professional-grade membrane, such as a non-woven geotextile fabric designed for driveways and roads.
Our Drivetex provides ground stabilisation, filtration and drainage and is used beneath MOT Type 1 or 3 aggregate or hardcore in sub-base layers to prevent sinking and rutting caused by settlement of aggregates into the soil beneath (sub-grade) – a process known as ‘pumping’.
This high-quality product does not lose strength when used below ground, making it the number one choice for driveways, roads and other areas subject to vehicular traffic.
Stabilising grass and gravel surfaces
If you need to create a stable surface for temporary parking on grass, or to make it easier to move pushchairs or wheelchairs on gravel, the Earthworx range provides specialist ground control products for reinforcement.
The range includes Grassmesh for temporary grass parking solutions and the plastic modular Groundrings system for more permanent reinforcement of grass and gravel surfaces. Ideal for use at temporary site car parks.
Earthworx Groundrings Grass provides a permanent solution for grass parking and access, while maintaining a permeable surface.
These flexible modules simply clip together and are laid on a suitable stone sub-base. Once backfilled with soil and seeded they provide long-term reinforcement and stabilisation for areas which are subject to vehicle use. The open grid structure provides a large root development area where roots can grow laterally without hindrance.
Earthworx Groundrings Gravel is a fully-permeable gravel retention system for use in SuDS compliant schemes. These plastic porous paving modules are manufactured from 100 per cent recycled material and are laid over a stone sub-base, before being filled with loose aggregate or gravel.
The integral backing grid prevents loose aggregate working its way under the panel and undermining the surface finish.
For more information on Growtivation click here.
