Is there a visqueen that allows water through?

[T]

Hi All,

I have to get rid of my back lawn (water meters). Is there a visqueen or similar that I can cover the lawn with that will allow (rain) water through but not weeds/grass to come back up?

Plan is to put Decomposed Granite (DG) down and eventually, when finances allow, to install garden boxes.

Many thanks,

-T

[John McGaw]

Visqueen is a solid non-permeable plastic sheeting that, by definition, does not let water pass. What you probably want is generally termed 'landscape fabric' or 'geotextile'. If you go this route make sure that you get the good stuff rather than the cheapest which might break down in only a couple of years. In any case you will need to protect the fabric from UV radiation which will break it down pretty quickly. Also you should be aware that there is no such thing as weed-free and weed seeds blowing in or dropped by birds can still sprout and root in whatever material is above the fabric so some maintenance will always be required. The fabric will prevent deep rooting so the weeds can be removed easily.

[T]

Thank you!