If you have ever worked with decomposed granite Los Angeles landscaping projects, you probably know the drill… it looks great on day one, and then a few weeks later, something weird starts to happen. The gravel shifts, tiny weeds pop through, or the base starts to feel a little soft. We have all stood there thinking, “Did we miss something?”

This is usually where geotextile fabric comes into the picture.

Below is a simple and friendly breakdown of when you actually need it and why it matters.

Why Geotextile Fabric Matters in the First Place

Before we jump into the “when”, let’s talk about the “why”. DG is lightweight, porous, and easy to spread. That is great for landscaping… but not great for stability.

According to a study by The Federal Highway Administration, using separation fabrics under aggregate layers reduces soil mixing and improves long-term stability by up to 50 percent. Those are not tiny numbers.

So yes… the fabric does something important.

1. Use Fabric When You Have Soft or Clay Soil

If your soil feels squishy, sticky, or holds water forever, DG alone will not stay put. It will slowly mix into the clay over time.

That is why fabric acts like a separator. It keeps the DG where it belongs and stops the mud from creeping into your base layer.

A lot of Los Angeles homes sitting near slopes or older fill dirt have this type of soil.

2. Use It When You Want a Low-Maintenance Pathway

We all like the idea of a pretty DG walkway that stays smooth and clean. But if you skip the fabric on high-traffic areas… get ready for ruts.

Geotextile fabric spreads out the load underfoot or under wheels. There is a UCLA landscape design study that mentions how foot-traffic compaction can push loose aggregates downward over time. The fabric slows that down, so your path keeps its shape longer.

If you are creating…

• Garden paths
• Side yard walkways
• Small patio areas

…fabric can make the whole thing last years longer.

3. Use It When You Want to Keep Weeds Away

Okay, quick truth: no fabric stops all weeds. But it cuts down most of them. DG alone is not a weed barrier. Seeds blow in, find a tiny pocket of moisture, and suddenly… hello, little green guys.

With the fabric, the root systems struggle to anchor. You still have to brush or blow debris off the surface (because seeds love sitting in that), but the difference is huge.

4. Use It If You Are Working Over Old Grass or Hard Dirt

Sometimes we do not want to remove everything. Maybe there is old compacted soil or old turf you are covering. In those cases, the fabric acts like a reset button.

It creates a clean layer between the old surface and your new DG so nothing underneath shows through later.

5. Skip It for Very Light, Decorative Areas

Now… here is a little twist. You do not need geotextile fabric everywhere. If you are doing a tiny border around a planter or a small decorative corner with almost no foot traffic, you can skip the fabric and save the cost.

We do not use fabric under every DG job, only the ones where performance matters.

6. What About Driveways or Heavy Loads?

For DG driveways, parking pads, or RV areas, we almost always recommend geotextile fabric… plus a strong base. Heavy loads push DG into the soil fast, especially in warm climates like Southern California.

A study from the Geosynthetic Institute found that geotextile stabilizers reduce rutting in aggregate layers by 30–70 percent under vehicular loads. That is a big deal for driveways.

So… Should You Always Use It?

Not always. But if you want DG to stay where you put it, look smooth, and last longer… it is one of those upgrades that pay you back quietly over the years.

And if you are using decomposed granite Los Angeles style projects where the soil is a little unpredictable, it is usually a smart move.

FAQs

1. Will geotextile fabric make DG feel harder to walk on?

No, the fabric stays hidden under the base layer. What makes DG feel firm is proper compaction and the right moisture level… not the fabric itself.

2. Does the fabric trap water under the decomposed granite?

Not at all. Geotextile fabric is designed to let water pass through while keeping soil and DG layers separated.

3. How thick should the DG layer be when using fabric?

Most landscapers install 2–3 inches of DG after compaction. For driveways, it may go up to 4 inches.

4. Can I install geotextile fabric over old grass?

Yes, but it works best when the grass is dead and flattened. Some people add a layer of soil or base material on top before spreading DG.

5. Do I still need edging even if I use fabric?

Yes. The fabric stops downward movement, but edging stops sideways movement. Both matter for clean, long-lasting DG borders.