Mulch Tarp

Need some gardening advice. I put a trampoline in my backyard about 2 years ago. I couldn't use the sprinklers so I killed off the grass. Then just threw some mulch over it after the grass was dead. I knew I should've put a tarp down under the mulch but I was having back issues and physically couldn't do it. Now the weeds are growing out of control.

So my question is, what type of tarp should I use under the mulch? I see the Polyethylene plastic type tarps and I see the fabric type tarps. I know the fabric type starts falling apart in a couple of years and think the plastic ones might last longer. But what happens to the plastic tarps when it rains? I'm not going to have a giant pool in my backyard will I? Any other reasons to use either?

Here are the tarps I was considering.

$160 6 Mil Polyethylene Sheeting Roll (20’ x 100’) Black Plastic Sheeting, Plastic Tarp, Plastic Mulch, Weed Barrier, Concrete Moisture, Vapor Barrier, Construction Film, Lumber Tarp, Ground Cover

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XPPJT5K/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2P6NYRSSJ0Z54&psc=1

https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...hUKEwjS-_fIn_TbAhUMOawKHeyUA1AQ9aACCDo&adurl=

 

I think the plastic one would be better for be long term. Maybe a plastic one with more of a mesh material to drain the water

 

I'm no pro, but i prefer no weed barrier. I've had the fabric stuff before and sooner or later you will rip the shit, and then its impossible to get it to lay flat again. Its a pain in the ass, maybe plastic is better, but i bet after a year when stuff starts breaking down, weeds will just grow ontop of the barrier.

Just get one of those weed killers that you hook up to a hose to cover everything and then spot treatment with roundup in a pumper sprayer.

 

I’m interested in this as well. We have a small slope in front of my house, and we cleared all kinds of bushes and vines. We are trying to figure out if we should do the tarp and put rocks or mulch

 

I used this underneath gravel and its been holding up great.

$50 Dewitt 4-Foot by 50-Foot 12-Year Weed Barrier Fabric 12YR450, Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016AJC1Q/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Its not "rated" as long as other weed barriers, but its much thicker and actually conforms to the substrate and absorbs water. I previously had it under mulch for a few years and i removed the mulch and was actually able to re-use the fabric underneath some sections of my gravel.

 

That one looks pretty good

 

my .02, most weeds are "airborn" in nature. the weed barriers only good to cover existing weeds. Remove grass an or Spray roundup or similar and spread mulch is best option.

 

Thats

Thats another good point.. look at other solutions aside from mulch. could you use pavers maybe? or decomposed granite?

 

Damn, that was some work. Used Round Up to kill the existing weeds last weekend. Moved the trampoline and raked all the mulch and dead weeds to one side yesterday. Today, yanked out the sprinkler lines. Laid down the weed barrier @blizz86 suggested. Put down some stepping stones. Then spread some of the old mulch and 14 new bags of mulch. Thought about laying artificial grass on the far corner but it would’ve cost half a rear bumper, so said screw it. Thanks for the help guys.