Don't Use Black Plastic or Fabric in Your Landscaping!!

I was walking through the parking lot of a grocery store recently and I saw this in one of the "landscaping" areas:

Do you see all the grass and weeds growing on top of the plastic???

Do you see the sunflower growing there also???

Please allow me to make this suggestion when you are landscaping...Don't Use Black Plastic!!

I took a Penn State Master Gardener's Course many years ago with a friend.  We learned so much about gardening, botany, pruning trees, growing herbs, and even what to do with the "hell strip" between your sidewalk and the street.  It was a very comprehensive, worthwhile experience.

One of my favorite classes was called "The Deadly Sins of Landscaping."  I don't remember all of the points, but I DO remember being told

"Never, ever, ever put down landscaping fabric or black plastic!!"  

And here's what the instructor told us:

1. The heat and darkness trapped underneath the plastic/fabric is a perfect breeding ground for all sorts of insects!!  Yuck.

2.  The soil underneath the plastic/fabric will turn hard as rock after extended time with no exposure to moisture.

3.  The myth that it "prevents weeds" is only true for ONE season.  After that, weed seeds that are constantly blowing around in the air will land on top of your mulch/plastic and start to grow weeds.  See above photos*****

4.  Many weeds have root systems that run through the fabric and establish themselves into the soil underneath.  It may take years to actually rid the ground of the horrible weeds once the fabric is removed.  

  I help lots of friends take care of their landscaping.  And I have spent many hours undoing the terrible effects of black plastic and fabric in landscaping.  I'm still fighting a battle with Goldenrod and Thistle that were thriving underneath my friend's fabric.  I refuse to give up, but it's going to take many more years to get rid of those weed roots! 

So, the lesson here is that there is NO SUCH THING as "No Maintenance Landscaping."  

Here are 2 tips to have "Low Maintenance" beds:

1. Use a thick layer of mulch (3-4 inches) then you'll have fewer weeds and it will help all your plants' roots to stay cooler.

2. Plant ground covers that are effective at choking out weeds.  I'm very fond of sweet woodruff and ajuga.

3. Weed often so that they don't take over your beds.

Do you have any other tips for low-maintenance landscaping?