Should you install landscape fabric before you spread mulch? The short answer is NO. Here are the reasons:

- Landscape fabric does not truly prevent weeds. Weed seeds blow in the air, and they land on the mulch. They will sprout, whether or not landscape fabric is below the mulch.

- Landscape fabric prevents mulch from naturally breaking down and decomposing.

- Landscape fabric acts as a "slip and slide" for the mulch on top of it. The mulch will eventually slide off, and you will see what looks like black garbage bags in your landscape beds.

Instead of landscape fabric, be sure to have a thick layer of mulch in your landscape beds. A thick layer of mulch will help to hold moisture in the ground, and will also help to prevent weeds from growing from below.