Why We Switched to Landscape Fabric for Flower Farming (And What We Learned)
Learn how we’re using landscape fabric for flower farming to control weeds, reduce labor, and support healthy growth across our annual flower beds.
When we first broke ground, we didn’t plan on using landscape fabric for flower farming —but heavy weed pressure quickly changed our minds. I believed that companion planting, cover crops, and consistent cultivation would be enough to manage the weeds. But it didn’t take long to realize that this new soil had other ideas. The weed pressure was intense, especially in our freshly tilled beds, and our young plants were struggling to compete.
We knew something had to change.
So we pivoted. I ordered several rolls of Farmer’s Friend Quick-Plant Landscape Fabric, and the company generously granted me two additional rolls so I could test their product and share my experience with fellow growers.
Why We Changed Our Weed Management Strategy: We initially tried planting sweet alyssum between our crops to suppress weeds, but the alyssum grew faster than the flowers and began to outcompete them for sunlight and space. In the meantime, clover and other opportunistic weeds were thriving in the disturbed soil. It quickly became clear that we needed a better solution if we wanted our crops to establish successfully.
That’s when we turned to pre-burned landscape fabric.
Using Farmer’s Friend Quick-Plant Landscape Fabric For Flower Farming
The pre-burned landscape fabric from Farmer’s Friend comes in several different spacing options depending on the crop. We used the 3-hole fabric with 10-inch spacing to plant dahlia cuttings in what will eventually become our you-pick row. We also used the 2-hole spacing for crops like eucalyptus and the 4-hole fabric for many of our annuals, including statice and zinnias. The pre-burned holes make planting quick and uniform, while also minimizing the areas where weeds can break through. Even in strong winds, we were able to secure the fabric with 12-inch landscape staples, which held well in our conditions.
Installing Drip Irrigation Over Fabric: Once the fabric was down, we installed drip irrigation directly on top. This part can be tricky, but with a bit of patience and the right connectors, we got it dialed in. We stapled the drip lines every few holes to keep them aligned with the plants. It’s important to check irrigation regularly, especially as the lines expand and contract with temperature changes.
Our Favorite Tools for the Job:
- Farmer’s Friend Quick Plant Fabric
- 6’’ Landscape Staples
- 12’’ Landscape Staples
- Cobra Head Weeder
- Atlas Nitrile Palm Coated Gloves
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I use and genuinely love on our farm.
What We Learned: This pivot to landscape fabric saved our early plantings from being overrun. It bought us time, reduced labor, and gave our flower starts the chance to thrive. While we still believe in regenerative practices and eventually want to reduce fabric use, starting out with the right tools has made all the difference.
Shop the Summer Savings Event (Through June 30): Farmer’s Friend is currently offering:
- Discounts on Quick-Plant Fabric and Silage Tarps
- A FREE end wall with any tunnel purchase (up to $350 value)
Watch the Full Setup Video: We filmed our entire process of laying fabric and installing irrigation. You can watch it on YouTube here:
Final Thoughts: If you’re just getting started on new land or facing a flush of summer weeds, don’t be afraid to pivot. Using landscape fabric this season has been one of the best decisions we’ve made to help our flowers flourish. I hope this gives you a few ideas to try in your own garden or flower field.
Have questions? Drop them in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!
Follow Our Journey Of Building The Farm From The Ground Up
Why We Chose Regenerative Farming
A Regenerative Flower Farm Documentary Film
We Bought A New Farm In Hood River
