GardenMate 2m x 5m sheet woven weed control fabric - UV stabilised 100gsm landscape ground cover membrane

The first time I bought this product was back in 2014, so I can say it’s been down long enough to know if it’s any good. Although the product has been down for many years I occasionally need to cut a hole in the material to plant a new scrub, and the material seems as strong to cut now as it did the day I put it down. The material is therefore definitely durable and well up to withstanding the conditions for which it was designed, unlike a fabric material I previously used for the beds which rotted away after a couple of years. To give readers an idea of the thickness, I’d say it’s very similar to a tent groundsheet. Birds and other wildlife have a tendency to move around whatever you cover it with whilst looking for bugs, and although this occasionally exposes the fabric to the elements it hasn’t caused any problems. The only annoying thing I noticed was that some previously cut edges had a tendency to fray and stick up. The woven geotextile material is obviously prone to fraying due to the way it is manufactured, so I changed the way I laid the fabric down on my second bed which eradicated the problem (See tips on installing). PROS: • Allows water to filter through • Effective against regular weeds • Easy to unroll and lay down • Can be cut with regular scissors • Comes in a size which should cover most beds CONS: • Edges will fray over time if you simply cut them TIPS ON INSTALATION: • Weeding is not usually necessary unless you have an invasive type like horseweed, in which case you are advised to treat the area first to eradicate it. It is important to note that any untreated horseweed type weeds WILL eventually come through no matter how much overlapping you do. • Prepare the surface by removing large stones, twigs, and then treading down any lumps of soil by walking over it. • Ensure the edges of the bed you are covering is sufficiently low enough to lay the material and its covering, and still be lower than the grass. If necessary, use a spade to move earth away. If you don’t, you’ll forever be raking whatever you placed on top back off the lawn. • Overlapping material by at foot is sufficient to prevent all regular weeds from coming through. When overlapping the edges you should make sure you do so in the same direction. This way you can throw the bark in the direction of the overlapping material without it lifting up. • Stretch the material before putting in the pegs to secure it. Leaving it loose will allow your top material to get under the material which looks unsightly and can allow weeds to come through. • When doing border edges cut the material 6 inches longer than needed and then neatly tuck it underneath before securing both layers with a peg. Edges which are cut exactly to the border will fray over time and look unsightly. +5 year Client recently asked me to plant a dozen shrubs into the beds where this covering was installed ten years ago, and the fabric was just as good as the day I installed it.

I have used this before but the usual DIY shops only sell in larger rolls - fine for larger projects but I just wanted a smaller piece for re-designing a flower bed - I have put this on the ground and covered it with bark chippings. Best to get weeds out before laying this - but stops new weeds coming through. Quite hard for water to penetrate unless there is a really good downpour so new plants will stil need careful watering.

Delivered quickly and the company is to be recommended for its service. However, I put the ground cover down last week but have subsequently decided it was not for me and have taken it up again. I want to use it on a border area and after I had cut a hole for a small tree and watered it; I noticed the water did not go thru the fabric easily and after a drenching, the soil was still very dry underneath. Not a problem if using for a drive or similar but I am using a sloped piece of garden and intend to cut spaces for plants, which will die if they do not get the water. I have now used a more permeable membrane which will get covered in stone tomorrrow.

This is thick, and much better at the job than another one I bought. No signs of weeds coming through month later. (There is with the other product). It's almost plasticy as well, so I think will last longer. Happy with product!! Going to take away the other stuff in another area and replace with this.

I only needed a little bit couldnt find in shops during winter. Amazon to the rescue once again,next day delivery. Had it down for months now no sign of weeds yet so happy seems guite sturdy I ve had to move it about a bit and hasnt ripped . Ive also got it double for extra protection. Will buy more for front garden

I was disappointed to find that this 2m x 5m procuct was actually 1.9m x 4.9m when laid out ! That doesn't sound like much but makes it more difficult to plan and install accurately, and at the end of the day I was short by nearly 0.7sqm.

Seems decent. Although as the other reviews said it did fray when cut, but I just tucked frayed edges underneath so not visible, I’ve only had it down a week so time will tell if weeds come through! Worked good with stones for a mud patch that was on the edge of my drive forever covered in weeds

I bought this to stop weeds in my flower garden, after 3 months later the weeds come out . Not really good.