Landscaping slopes has continually been a challenge! Slope landscaping is often accomplished to beautify an unusable area near the home or commercial space. Most owners want a maintenance free of charge slope exactly where you don't have to pull weeds or use herbicides or walk on the slope to preserve it.
Applying landscaping fabric on slopes is one option but it has normally been a challenge simply because when mulch is applied on best of the fabric the mulch slides downhill, leaving unsightly bare spots of fabric. In addition to becoming aesthetically unpleasing, the bare spots break down speedily simply because of UV exposure which makes it possible for weeds to grow in those areas.
At the moment, there are numerous ineffective methods of applying landscape fabric or mulch to slopes.
- 1) Landscape experts/homeowners apply jute on best of the landscape fabric and then apply the mulch on top of the jute. This is a multi-layer, multi-labor approach and a temporary remedy due to the fact the jute sags and bags, traps deer and smaller animals and degrades over time exposing the fabric to damaging UV rays. The jute also makes it difficult to rake when new mulch is applied.
- 2) Landscape fabric is applied, mulch is applied over the fabric then black plastic grid is applied over the mulch. This strategy lasts longer than strategy 1 but it looks peculiar up close and the netting remains a hazard to massive and little animals. Also, the netting has to be removed to apply more mulch which is a labor intensive method.
- 3) The 3rd technique is to apply mulch directly to the ground without fabric. When the rains come it washes the mulch down hill and does little to stop weeds.
There is a newly invented product that will be on the marketplace later this year. It blocks weeds and traps mulch to the fabric.
Slope HuggerTM is a new commercial landscape erosion control fabric with mulch trapping spines attached to the fabric. The spines are two inches long. Each row of spines is offset from the next row to offer exceptional mulch trapping power. The spines are one directional and angled at a 45 degree angle to the base fabric. The mulch can be applied with a wheelbarrow or a pneumatic powered mulch blowing truck. The spines avoid the mulch from eroding second to gravity, wind, and foot visitors or water runoff. The 1 directional spine makes it possible for for hassle-free raking with out tangling and the spines by no means matt down with the weight of the mulch. This newly patented invention prevents weeds and offers a long lasting uniform appearance of mulch on slopes. The base fabric prevents weeds but has micro pores which enable your plant roots to breathe and makes it possible for water to penetrate the fabric but prevents weeds from growing by means of the fabric. The mulch and landscape fabric helps the earth to retain moisture which promotes water conservation and reduces water consumption. The mulch and fabric act as a filter for storm water runoff which promotes a wholesome environment. Additionally, Slope Hugger TM reduces the require for herbicides or manual labor for weed control.
Slope Hugger TM is simple and easy to install. The tip of the spines should really point uphill, or toward the wind or water runoff. Just after clearing the location, just roll it out vertically, stake it to the ground and add three-4 inches of mulch and your carried out. It is that hassle-free! If you opt for to plant on the slope just cut an X or circle out of the fabric exactly where you want the plants located, put them in the ground and fold the fabric back in place. Slope Hugger TM has a 3" edge without spines to enable for overlapping rows in the course of application. You can secure the fabric to the ground with any of the landscape stakes on the market.
Slope Hugger TM is on the market in 4 X 200 ft rolls. It is the only landscape/erosion control fabric with mulch trapping spines!
Slope HuggerTM was awarded Most beneficial INVENTION at the National Hardware Lawn and Garden show in Las Vegas Nevada, Might 8, 2008.
Slope HuggerTM will be tested by California Transportation Department March 2009. Slope Hugger TM has recently been added to the Oregon Department of Transportations conditional use list
For further information and facts on this incredible new landscape fabric, please check out our Web page: Slope-Hugger.com
