Weed mesh is a permeable ground cover fabric that blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds while still letting water, air and nutrients pass through to the soil below.
If you are laying gravel over a driveway, planting out a garden bed, or prepping a revegetation site for council, the right weed mesh stops weeds from taking over without suffocating your soil. The wrong one breaks down in a single summer or traps so much moisture it rots your mulch.
This guide covers the three main types of weed mesh sold in Australia, what GSM weight ratings actually mean, and which fabric suits each common application. All Stake Supply has stocked weed mat and weed mesh products from their St Marys warehouse for over 48 years.
Looking for weed mesh in bulk? Contact the team for trade pricing on rolls and pallets, delivered anywhere in Australia.
Weed mesh (also called weed matting, landscape fabric, or ground cover fabric) is a synthetic or natural textile laid over soil to physically block weed germination. Unlike plastic sheeting, weed mesh is engineered with tiny pores or woven gaps that allow rainwater to drain through and let the soil breathe.
The basic principle is light suppression. Most weed seeds need sunlight to germinate. When a layer of weed mesh sits between the seed and the sun, germination rates drop dramatically. Seeds that do sprout underneath the fabric cannot push through a properly weighted mesh, so they die before reaching the surface.
The Australian Department of Agriculture recommends using ground cover fabrics as part of integrated weed management on revegetation and land rehabilitation projects.
Not all weed mesh is the same material. The three main categories, woven, nonwoven and natural fibre, each have different strengths, lifespans and best-fit applications.
Woven polypropylene (PP) is the most common weed mesh for Australian landscaping projects. It is made from tightly interlocked plastic fibres that create a strong, tear-resistant sheet with uniform micro-gaps between the weave. Water drains through, air circulates, and the weave is tight enough to block light. Available in 85gsm rolls (1.83m x 50m) and 110gsm rolls (3.66m x 100m) for larger jobs.
Nonwoven geotextile is made from bonded synthetic fibres pressed together with heat rather than woven. The result is a felt-like sheet with high puncture resistance and strong filtration properties. 100gsm nonwoven geotextile in 2m x 50m rolls is commonly used as both a weed barrier and a drainage separation layer.
Jute and coir (coconut fibre) weed mesh products are biodegradable alternatives designed to suppress weeds while breaking down into the soil over 12 to 24 months. Jute weed mats sit around individual tree and shrub plantings, while jute soil saver mesh covers larger areas for erosion control on slopes and embankments.
This table compares the three main types across the factors that matter most when choosing a product for your project.
| Feature | Woven PP | Nonwoven Geotextile | Jute / Coir |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Polypropylene | Bonded polyester or PP | Jute or coconut fibre |
| Typical GSM | 85 to 130gsm | 100 to 200gsm | 200 to 750gsm |
| Water Permeability | High | Moderate | High |
| Lifespan | 5 to 15 years | 10 to 25 years | 12 to 24 months |
| UV Stabilised | Yes | Yes | No (designed to degrade) |
| Biodegradable | No | No | Yes |
| Best For | Garden beds, gravel areas | Paving, drainage separation | Revegetation, erosion control |
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It measures fabric weight and thickness. A higher GSM means a heavier, more durable mesh that blocks more light, resists tears better, and lasts longer in the ground.
Tip for landscapers: For under-gravel applications, use a minimum of 100gsm woven mesh. Anything lighter will puncture when the aggregate is compacted. The 110gsm woven weed mat in 5m x 100m rolls is the go-to for large commercial areas.
Even the heaviest weed mesh will fail if it is not installed correctly. Gaps, exposed edges and poor pinning let weeds find a way through.
The CSIRO notes that maintaining an adequate mulch layer over landscape fabrics significantly extends fabric life and improves long-term weed suppression performance.
Most failures come down to poor product selection or shortcuts during installation.
Measure the length and width of the area you need to cover. Multiply the two numbers to get the total square metres. Then add 10 to 15 percent extra for overlaps, cuts around plants, and waste.
Browse the full weed mat and weed mesh range, or contact the team for trade pricing and bulk orders.
Yes. Weed mesh, weed mat, landscape fabric and ground cover fabric all refer to the same type of product. The term you hear depends on the region and the supplier. In Australia, weed mat is the most common name, but weed mesh is also widely used.
Woven and natural fibre weed mesh allows water to pass through freely. Nonwoven geotextile lets water through at a slower rate. Plastic sheeting does not let water through at all, which is why it should not be used as weed mesh.
Woven polypropylene weed mesh lasts 5 to 15 years when covered with mulch or gravel. Exposed to direct sunlight, it degrades much faster. Nonwoven geotextile lasts 10 to 25 years. Jute and coir mesh is designed to break down within 12 to 24 months.
You can, but it is not recommended. Strong perennial weeds like couch grass and bindii can push through lightweight mesh. Clear and treat the area first for best results.
Use a minimum of 100gsm woven polypropylene. For heavy vehicle traffic or deep aggregate, go with 110gsm or heavier to resist puncture during compaction.
It depends on the garden bed. In low-maintenance beds with established shrubs, mesh under mulch reduces weeding. In active garden beds where you regularly add compost or plant annuals, mesh gets in the way. Mulch on its own at 75 to 100mm depth suppresses most weeds effectively.
For revegetation and erosion control, yes. Jute breaks down and feeds the soil, which helps new plantings establish. For permanent installations where you want long-term weed suppression, synthetic woven mesh is the better choice.
Use steel fastening pins every 300mm along the edges and across the mesh surface. On steep slopes (steeper than 1:6), add extra rows of pins across the mid-section. Lay the mesh from top to bottom, with the upper sheet overlapping the lower sheet so water flows over the join rather than under it.
No weed barrier stops 100% of weeds. Wind-blown seeds can germinate in the mulch or gravel layer above the mesh. However, properly installed weed mesh reduces weeding effort by 80 to 90% compared to bare soil.
All Stake Supply stocks woven, nonwoven and jute options at their St Marys NSW warehouse, with delivery anywhere in Australia. Browse the full product range or contact the team for bulk pricing.
