Landscape fabric should be placed directly on top of the soil rather than buried beneath it. Laying it on the surface allows the material to block sunlight from reaching weed seeds, which prevents them from sprouting.
The fabric also permits water and air to pass through to the soil, keeping the ground beneath healthy for plants. After positioning the fabric, it should be covered with mulch, gravel, or another protective layer to shield it from sunlight, which can cause the material to break down over time. Placing fabric under soil would reduce its effectiveness because weeds could easily grow above it.
