Re: How do agrotextiles work?

Natasha,

Thanks for the question on the uses of geotextiles.  The benefits of using 
these products are many.

Geotextiles products for horticultural use generally are used for ground 
clothes that provide a means of controlling weed growth in vegetable and 
flower gardens.  The soil contains a vast amount of weed seed, somteimes 
called the soil seed bank.  The seeds that have been deposited into 
the "bank" remain in a dormant state until conditions change to allow 
germination.  Typically when a gardener works the soil these seeds are 
exposed to light, air, and moisture, and they germinate.  Geotextiles 
provide a physical barrier to block the growth of weed seed that 
germinates.  Mulches are then generally placed on top of the geotextile 
fabric for increased cooling of the root zone and moisture retension, as 
well as aesthetic purposes.  

While the geotextile fabrics are a physical barrier to weed growth, these 
materials must also be porous.  Water must be able to pass through the 
fabric to satisfy the moisture needs of the plant.  Also, air must be able 
to pass through to provide proper air exchange with the plant roots.  

Now many people use plastic sheeting for this physical barrier to weed 
growth.  This is not a good practice.  The plastic sheeting does not allow 
for water penetration or air exchange, two things that are vital for good 
plant growth.