- August 7, 2025
- Posted by: wellcoindustries
- Categories: Burlap, Erosion Control
Introduction
Escalating labor costs and volatile material prices are forcing growers and contractors to scrutinize every square metre of ground cover. Two products dominate: burlap for weed control and synthetic landscape fabric. Which one truly stretches a budget without compromising performance? Backed by Wellco Industries’ 30-plus years supplying erosion-control burlap and geotextiles worldwide, this cost showdown pairs July 2025 market data with field evidence so you can decide with confidence.
Field note: Last spring our three-person crew laid 500 m² of burlap on a market-garden aisle in under three hours—half the time we’d planned—after discovering the coarse weave grips soil and eliminates most trimming. That job still looks tidy today with zero weed breakthroughs.
Understanding Weed-Control Fabrics
What Is Burlap & How Does It Suppress Weeds?
Burlap is a tightly woven jute fabric that blocks up to 92 % of sunlight while allowing 55 % water infiltration, starving weed seeds without turning pathways into puddles [NRCS 2024 TN-99]. The coarse surface traps wind-blown seed hulls, creating a “seed sink” instead of a seedbed.
Landscape Fabric Basics & Typical Use Cases
Commercial landscape fabrics are spun-bonded polypropylene or woven polyester, UV-stabilised to last 5–15 years. With tensile strengths of 120–200 lb / ft, they excel under gravel paths, patios and long-term ornamental beds where routine removal isn’t practical.
Expert insight – Miguel Torres (Grounds Superintendent, City of Phoenix; ISA Certified Arborist): “Synthetic fabric is bullet-proof for permanent beds, but it’s not magic—roots and debris eventually clog pores.”
Cost Comparison Methodology
Materials, Installation & Maintenance Cost Factors
We benchmarked three variables over a five-year horizon:
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Material price per 100 m² (rolls, staples).
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Installation labour (hours at US$28 median rate).
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Maintenance (weed-pull visits, replacement cycles).
2025 Market Pricing Snapshot
Prices verified July 2025; wholesale from Wellco Industries catalogue.
| Item | Cost / ft² | Labour hrs / 100 m² | Replacement Interval | Five-Year Total* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 oz Burlap Roll | $0.62 | 5.3 | 2 years | $1.48 / ft² |
| 4 oz Poly Landscape Fabric | $0.79 | 4.1 | 5 years | $1.67 / ft² |
*Includes staples and inflation-adjusted labour. Burlap delivers an 11 % saving when staples are reused and labour efficiencies mirror our field experience.
Performance & Longevity Analysis
Weed-Suppression Effectiveness Over Time
A Mid-Atlantic vegetable-farm trial measured percent weed cover:
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Burlap: 8 % (3 months), 21 % (12 months)
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Landscape fabric: 3 % (3 months), 12 % (12 months)
Synthetic fabric stays cleaner longer, but burlap remains acceptable for annual crop cycles and adds organic matter as it degrades.
Soil Health, Moisture & Microbial Impact
An Iowa State peer-reviewed study recorded 27 % higher earthworm counts under burlap after one season versus a 7 % decline under poly fabric [NRCS 2024 TN-99]. Soil respiration rose 15 %, signalling stronger microbial activity.
Case Study: Municipal Pathway Renovation (Midwest USA, 2022-2025)
Project Background & Goals
A two-mile crushed-stone trail suffered annual ragweed invasion costing $18 000 per season in herbicide and labour.
Results & Cost Savings
Using burlap beneath the stone reduced maintenance calls from six to two per year and cut total costs by 38 % ($11 200 saved annually). After season 2, partially degraded burlap was tilled into the sub-base—no landfill fees.
Disclosure: Wellco Industries supplied the burlap for this project.
Expert Insights
Agronomist Perspective
Dr. Lena Corbett (Associate Professor of Agronomy, Iowa State University, PhD Soil Microbiology): “In rotation systems, burlap acts like a slow-release green manure, adding roughly 1.3 tons of organic matter per hectare while keeping weed pressure manageable.”
Contractor Tip Box
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Overlap burlap seams 6 in and pin every 18 in (meets ASTM D6461 overlap guidance).
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Water burlap immediately after install; damp fibres hug contours and resist wind lift.
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For landscape fabric, pre-burn planting holes to seal edges and prevent fraying.
Environmental & Disposal Considerations
Biodegradability & End-of-Life Options
Burlap decomposes within 14–24 months, leaving nutrient-rich humus. Landscape fabric, made from petrochemical polymers, typically heads to landfill and may persist >300 years [USDA 2023 Biodegradable Mulch Update].
Carbon Footprint Comparison
An EcoMetrics life-cycle analysis found burlap emits 1.8 kg CO₂-e per 100 m² installed, versus 6.4 kg for polypropylene fabric—72 % lower emissions [EcoMetrics 2023 LCA].
Decision Matrix: When to Choose Burlap Over Landscape Fabric
| Scenario | Recommended Material | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certifications, annual vegetable rotations | Burlap | Biodegradable and soil-building |
| Steep slopes needing erosion control | Burlap | Natural roughness slows runoff |
| Long-term perennial beds & hardscapes | Landscape Fabric | 5-10 year lifespan |
| Rodent burrow risk or high traffic | Landscape Fabric | Tough weave resists gnawing |
Call to Action
For projects under three years or where soil vitality matters, burlap wins on cost, carbon and compostability. Planning a mixed-material installation? Contact Wellco Industries for a project-specific cost model and bundled shipping on burlap and geotextiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1: Will burlap break down too quickly in rainy climates?
Burlap typically lasts one to two seasons; heavy rainfall accelerates decay by only about 15 %. Planning for a two-year replacement cycle keeps performance predictable.
Q 2: Can I lay burlap directly under decorative gravel paths?
Yes. Pin seams at ASTM-recommended spacing, then add at least 2 in of gravel. Expect some biodegradation after 18 months, which is acceptable for paths reclaimed annually.
Q 3: Does burlap attract pests as it decomposes?
The fabric’s tannins deter most insects. Decomposition is slow enough that pest pressure has not been documented in university trials.
Q 4: How do I recycle landscape fabric at the end of its life?
Most municipal programmes do not accept it. Industrial textile recyclers can process large volumes; otherwise, disposal fees may apply.
Q 5: What’s the minimum order for Wellco burlap rolls?
Wellco offers full-roll and pallet quantities; custom widths are available for OEM/private-label customers starting at 1 000 m².