Roadside Management Toolbox
Herbicidal Geofabric
 |
 |
What is this treatment?
Herbicidal geofabrics are similar to a synthetic landscape fabrics with a time-released pre-emergent herbicide impregnated in the fabric or in nodules connected to the fabric. The herbicide restricts the growth of new roots impeding the ability of the plant to spread and grow.
When to use this design concept?
- Herbicidal fabric is suited for all areas that can also accept the gravel mulch cover required to install this product.
- This treatment may be used in combination with other treatments such as mulches or inert cover materials around signposts, guardrails, side slopes, gores and median strips. Recommended cover for native soil is 2"-3" for greatest effect.
Benefits
- The herbicide and fabric combination improves the performance of treatments such as mulch, asphalt concrete, cobble, gravels and other inert materials by providing a continuous barrier between the soil and the treatment.
- The herbicide may assists in controlling vegetative growth in the cover materials even after silting in of the treatment occurs.
- Release of the herbicide is a very low, and is present at a soil depth where it can be most effective.
- Natural or locally collected cover material can be used for context compatibility.
Limitations
- Not recommended where pesticide use is restricted, or in areas where runoff may enter adjacent streams or other water bodies.
- Longevity of the herbicide is unknown for California roadside conditions.
- This is an expensive material, when installed with cover material, the costs are higher than other permanent vegetation control treatments.
- Can be torn easy by road maintenance equipment.
Specifications
Cost
- $40 – 60/ yd 2 with 3" gravel cover
- $30 – 40/ yd 2 with native soil cover
- BEES Item(s) - none