Weed-Control Fabric

Mulching fabrics--which allow water to soak through but keep weeds from popping up--are not new, but they have been hard to find at nurseries. Now Ortho has introduced its OrthoGard Weed-Blocking Fabric in a familiar yellow and red box. Each box contains enough to cover 100 square feet (3 feet by 33 1/3 feet). Complete instructions are on the box.

During our drought this is a good way to keep weeds from stealing moisture from other plants, and to help keep water from evaporating around plants. The fabric can be hidden under a more ornamental mulch (it must be kept out of the sunlight). It is also a good way to keep weeds out of patios or paths while allowing the rains to soak into the soil.