Garden Gravel what to use as an underlay? Black bags are rubbish ! pardon the pun

ronan45

Hi all. I have been doing some green fingered work in my garden and a problem i have ran into is the following,
Im sectioning off areas of garden and laying black bags and pouring gravel on top.

Problem with this method

Number 1: Water pools in these areas and cant sink down into the earth. So when the water finally drains after a while im left with algae green gravel.

Number 2: Cut some drain holes through the black bags to drain the water. Kinda works but then weeds burst up though the openings.

Number 3: Some older sections from 2 years ago the black bags are starting to degrade and literally falling apart.

Is there a Semi Permeable Cloth you can get to allow drainage but to STOP weeds and grass growing through that last a long time? Any ideas?

Ddad

The stuff you want is called landscape fabric, it's hard wearing and permeable. Don't buy the lighter low grade stuff, it's rubbish. Buy the heavier duty stuff and it'll last years. You'll also need anchoring stakes to gold it down and a sharp knife to trim it to shape. It makes for a great job.

ronan45

sound ddad would i get this in woodies or atlantic or is this more of a garden centre specialist job?

ronan45

sound!

http://www.johnstowngardencentre.ie/hypex-landscape-fabric--weed-membrane/plantexpd.aspx