Landscape fabric should be covered with mulch or gravel to protect it from exposure to sunlight or damage from animals. Constant exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays will degrade the fabric, making it brittle and significantly shortening its effective lifespan.
A top layer of mulch or rock also prevents tears from foot traffic, rakes, or digging animals and weighs the fabric down to keep it from being lifted by the wind. Finally, a cover provides a clean, finished look to the landscape bed and helps the fabric do its job by blocking any remaining light that could encourage weed growth.
