Non-woven fabrics for gardens, agriculture and covering
Non-woven fabrics combine surface protection with clear technology: ground fabrics keep light away from the soil, garden fabrics separate beds and paths, and straw fabrics enclose harvest bales. The right choice starts with area, area weight and material permeability.
Choosing non-woven fabrics correctly
A non-woven fabric is selected according to its task, surface and load. For beds, paths and terrace surfaces, the questions are how wide and long a roll needs to be and whether water should drain through the fabric. For hay and straw bales, bale geometry, wind exposure and generous overlap matter instead. Small cuts make trial areas and repeat orders easier, while rolls from 20 metres require fewer joints.
Width and number of joints
Narrow rolls can be laid out and cut individually. Wider rolls reduce the number of seams. For paths and terrace substructures, the available area determines whether a width of 0.50 metres, 1 metre, 2 metres or 3 metres is more sensible.
Area weight
The range includes weed-control fabrics weighing 100 g/m² and protective fabrics weighing 140 g/m². The heavier straw fabric is designed for mechanical stress, while 100 g/m² is the usual starting point in garden applications.
Material and water
Several ground fabrics are made of polypropylene and are described as light-proof or water-permeable. These specifications show whether blocking light against weeds or drainage after rain is the priority.
Garden fabric and ground fabric for beds
For beds and paths, a cut of just a few square metres is often enough. A product measuring 1.5 x 1 m and weighing 100 g/m² fits small gaps, while 1 x 1 m is intended for individual planting spots. Larger beds benefit from continuous rolls such as 1 x 20 m or 2 x 30 m because they create fewer transitions. If rain is to seep away, a water-permeable model is the more suitable option.
Installation follows a simple sequence: level the surface, lay the fabric with an overlap, secure the edges and then apply gravel, mulch or soil. The overlap should be large enough to leave no gap open. At edges, a fixing clip helps when films, tarpaulins or fabrics need to be held without eyelets.
Paths, terraces and large areas
Paths and terraces need a clear separating layer. Narrow rolls measuring 0.5 x 100 m or 1 x 40 m suit straight runs, while wide rolls measuring 2 x 100 m or 3 x 100 m cover driveways and working surfaces more quickly. Where several rolls lie side by side, their edges should be firmly joined and fixed beneath the top layer.
Polypropylene tape fabric is named for several products in this category. It acts as a light-proof barrier against weeds. For driveways and heavily used paths, therefore, not only length but also the stability of the weave matters. Looking at weight, material specification and intended use helps distinguish light bed fabric from durable ground fabric.
Straw fabrics and bale protection nets
Harvest bales have different requirements from garden surfaces. A straw fabric measuring 12 x 25 m and covering 300 m² offers air and vapour permeability, UV stability and weather resistance. A smaller variant measuring 9.8 x 12.5 m and covering 122.5 m² uses the same weight for more compact storage areas. Both variants are wrapped around bales and secured against wind.
Bale protection nets sit closely on hay and silage bales. A green net measuring 8 x 25 m and covering 200 m² is described as UV-resistant, while a second model measures 10 x 25 m. Bale circumference, net size and the ability to fix the edges so that wind cannot catch beneath them are decisive. For several bales in a row, even tension across the entire length is worthwhile.
Fixing without eyelets
Fabrics move in the wind before mulch or stones have been applied. The black fixing clip for films, tarpaulins and fabrics is reusable and does not require eyelets. It can hold edges until surfaces are weighted down and can also be used for temporary covers. Ground anchors are another solution for ground fabric when edges need to be fixed in the soil.
Selection by project
- Small bed: cuts measuring 1 x 1 m or 1.5 x 1 m, each 100 g/m², can be laid out directly.
- Garden path: continuous rolls such as 1 x 20 m, 1 x 40 m or 1 x 100 m reduce joints.
- Terrace or driveway: wider polypropylene rolls measuring 2 or 3 metres cover surfaces in one pass.
- Bale storage: 140-g/m² protective fabric with air and vapour permeability, or a bale protection net in a suitable size.
- Edges and transitions: reusable clips or ground anchors support secure fixing.
Comparison of the main variants
| Type | Strength | Suitable application |
|---|---|---|
| Weed-control fabric | 100 g/m² | Beds, paths and terraces requiring light exclusion or water drainage |
| Protective and straw fabric | 140 g/m² | Harvested goods, bale storage and large-area covering |
| Bale protection net | Size according to number of bales | Hay and silage bales with wind-resistant fixing |
Installation and checking before covering
Before applying gravel, mulch or soil, it is worth taking a short walk along all roll edges. Open corners, displaced seams or uncovered areas are now easier to correct than after weighting. On curves, narrow strips can line the inside while straight rolls cover the main area. After initial planting, openings for root balls should remain small enough for the separating effect to be preserved. Rain will subsequently show whether water can drain away or whether spots remain where additional drainage is needed.
Frequently asked questions about non-woven fabrics
Which fabric suits a new garden path?
For a continuous path, a roll with sufficient length is sensible. Products measuring 1 x 40 m or 1 x 100 m and weighing 100 g/m² reduce transitions. For heavily used driveways, a wider roll measuring 2 or 3 metres can simplify installation.
Why is area weight important?
It provides initial guidance on material thickness. Several models weighing 100 g/m² are available for garden use, while protective fabrics for harvested goods weigh 140 g/m². Actual load capacity also depends on material, installation and use.
How much overlap do two rolls need?
The rolls should overlap far enough that no open seam remains after movement, loading or compaction. On uneven ground, a larger overlap is more sensible than on smooth soil.
When is a bale protection net better than straw fabric?
A net lies directly on the bale and is named for hay and silage bales. Straw fabric weighing 140 g/m² provides area coverage plus air and vapour permeability. The choice depends on bale type, storage format and desired handling.
How are fabrics fixed without eyelets?
The black fixing clip was developed for films, tarpaulins and fabrics, is reusable and works without eyelets. On earth surfaces, ground anchors can additionally be used until edges are permanently weighted down.
What role does water permeability play?
It determines whether rain can drain into the subsoil. Several weed-control fabrics are described as water-permeable, while other ground fabrics are primarily named as light-proof. The specification should match the planned area's drainage.
Related categories and suitable areas
This overview leads directly to the most important subject areas within and alongside the current category:
Further selection aids can be found here: garden area, paths and terraces, harvest protection, fixing. For supplementary tarpaulin solutions, the cover tarpaulin category is available.
Anyone working in a greenhouse can combine non-woven fabrics with transparent covers. The Greenhouse film & mesh film category shows matching films. For net solutions relating to securing and privacy protection, the protective nets section is also relevant.