De Witt PROBLK6300 Weed Barrier Pro, Black, 3-Ounce

In 2012 I bought a house with a backyard completely filled with tough perennial weeds. We cleared the yard to ground level, put down this weed block in smooth rows that overlapped by 6", and stapled them tightly. No more weeds!And *no* Round-Up!I'm guessing it took 2 years to fully knock out those tough perennial weeds. Last year I took up some of the weedblock to use it elsewhere and new weeds popped up in short order. Apparently there are a lot of weed seeds in the air. So forget that. I will replace what I removed and wait to take it all up till just before selling the house.This weedblock has totally held up over 6 years, even uncovered. You can reuse it as long as you duct tape any holes. I had one case of ivy grow 3' under the block till it found a gap/hole.This is not like the stuff that shreds or is made from plastic like you'll find at the local big-box hardware store.Make sure to get galvanized, 9-gauge (or 11) 6+" staples and a rubber mallet to pound them in. And a good pair of long scissors.If the area could be subject to windy conditions, get the 12" staples, make sure the sheets overlap so the downwind sheet is underneath, and either top dress with bark or put something heavy down periodically (like a large planter or a cement product like a stepping stone).If you have a rocks in your soil, you make need to sharply angle the staples so you aren't trying to go deep. You cannot use staples over crushed rock. In that area, I am using stepping stones or large rocks to anchor the sheet rows.Rain will penetrate this weedblock, so your plants will not be deprived of water. I assume existing seeds will germinate, and die quickly in the dark. However, bark keeps soil cooler in the summer, so it's a good idea to put bark on top.I find it makes for a good soft-surface cover that you can walk on, sweep with a broom, or even drive a vehicle on if the sheet rows are smooth and stapled securely enough.If you will be taking it up in a few years, and you don't need to drive on it, then you could opt for the cheaper DeWitt 12-year product. I don't recommend anything less.It's also good for slopes to prevent dirt runoff. But bark won't stick to it on a slope. I find it looks good enough to use bare if your installation is neat and secure.What a difference it makes for reducing weeding time! All the effort it takes to install this pays off with minimal time spent weeding for YEARS.