On the problem of landscape tarp
How carpeting your soil in plastic sheeting became an industry standard—and why it needs to stop.
I moved into a new house in mid-January. This is the first time I’ve had my own garden since moving to LA six years ago, and the first thing I did upon arrival was attempt to plant something. My efforts were thwarted by what I soon discovered to be two layers of black, plastic landscape fabric, buried beneath an inch of redwood mulch and buckled in with two dozen or more rusted yard staples.
I spent the next six weeks attempting to remove it.
I hacked, rolled, ripped, hauled, and lifted. I tore most of the skin off two knuckles and my right palm. I got sunburnt. I asked friends to help. It was extremely hard work! It was also, I eventually discovered, a complete environmental catastrophe. As the plastic peeled back, it revealed a massacre of small worms and native insects, soil that was rock hard, and—perhaps most horrifying of all—a tangle of plant roots that had begun to break down the plastic itself, incorporating it into their root systems as a furred, black halo. Obviously, I was outraged.
Why—seriously, WHY?—do we use this stuff?
The answer, naturally, is oil companies. Geotextiles derived from plastic polymers were originally developed by petroleum giants in the 50s and 60s for use in large-scale industrial projects, like commercial agriculture and construction. Sometime in the ensuing decades, though, they migrated into residential use. There’s no singular history available indicating the “what” or the “why,” but there’s some interesting archival material available on the internet, like this Dewitt Catalog, which claims founder Larry DeWitt pioneered the use of “woven” plastic landscape fabric as an alternative to …another kind of plastic. (Thanks, Larry.) They’ve since been heavily marketed to us as everything from “effortless” weed prevention, to a savvy way to “clean up” your home garden.
Of course, it’s all bunk.
Not only does this stuff not prevent weeds, which easily penetrate the material, in addition to sprouting from the mulch that is often used as cover, it actively kills all other soil and plant life. Water and oxygen flow are both blocked. Organic matter is prevented from accumulating in contact with the earth, depriving the soil of vital biological inputs. The result is that the dirt hardens and plants struggle or die off. Landscape fabrics also produce an absolutely catastrophic amount of waste, with the plastic breaking down and shedding into soil, water, and even—as I witnessed—directly into the plants themselves. What weed could possibly be “bad” enough to warrant this?
There are numerous non-plastic strategies available for plant management in your home garden, of course, but the biggest tool in your toolkit is always going to be patience. It takes time to transition even a small space from one type of plant community (e.g. “weeds”) into another (e.g. “natives”), and you’re likely to always have to be a little bit involved with it. Instead of plastic, use cardboard and a heavy mulch. Combine this with hand-weeding, active planting, and the general cultivation of a more relaxed attitude (e.g. “it’s okay if a few plants you don’t love pop up around here”), and you’re in pretty good shape. Other natural forms of elimination include a simple vinegar solution or even boiling water. Here’s a complete list.
Anyway, I was angry enough about the landscape fabric in my yard to try and do something about it, spending a few days authoring a letter to California legislators demanding they ban landscape fabric in accordance with several pieces of legislation aimed at the reduction of plastic pollution and the promotion of natural soil amendments, like compost. My bud Katya, who is running for mayor right now, helped out. I’m in the process of rallying local businesses to sign on with me, but in the interim I will gladly make a copy of the letter available to the public, in event that anybody would like to follow in my footsteps and adapt this demand for their own locale.
Together, we can stop this madness.
Love,
Cass
Some news
My second book, COMPOST AFTER READING, comes out on 3/17. You can pre-order a copy here! This has been a long time in the making and I’m very excited it’s finally out.
I was on the podcast Inside/Outside last week, talking about compost (and, yes, aliens). (Btw, this is my reminder to BREATHE when talking?)
I was on AirTalk last week taking live listener questions on spring gardening and compost.
Lastly, if you’re in the LA area, I’m hosting a book release party in the garden. Reply for details if you’d like to join. :)
From one landscape cloth loather to another, I salute you!
Three cheers for you, Cass! Longtime gardener and landscape cloth hater in San Diego. I love your letter and effort to get it banned and am strongly considering trying the same thing here.