Uses For Burlap In the Garden

Burlap (also called hessian burlap) is a natural product that is used in the garden to provide protection or covering.  It’s natural open-weave allows air flow which prevents or minimizes rotting due to trapped moisture.   

What is burlap made of?

Burlap is typically made of the jute plant and woven into a coarse fabric.  It often has a distinctive natural scent.  

One major advantage of jute fabric is that it is an eco-friendly material.  Because it is made entirely from natural vegetable fibers, it is completely biodegradable.

Use burlap in the garden

Plant covers for cool nights

• Protect tender plants from cold or frost damage with a layer of burlap suspended over the plants. 
• Use enough supports underneath so that if it rains, weight does not crush the plants.    

Winter protection for plants

• Wrap plants with burlap to protect plants, bushes, trees or vines from frost, snow and ice. 
• Burlap is a desirable option over plastic because of its ability to breath, which allows air circulation. 
• Circulation prevents heat from trapping under the covering and winds from smacking against the side of the plant.
• Use a tepee-style support around the plant to keep the burlap from laying against the leaves.

Suppress weeds in beds

• Use several layers of burlap around plants to reduce weed growth in plant beds.
• Lay between plant rows or cut holes or slits in burlap and place plants into holes.
• Finish with a layer of mulch.  Any weeds that do sneak up will be easily removed.  
• This process will also enhance moisture retention.

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Flower pot covers

• You know those thin black plastic pots you get plants in from the nurseries or local hardware store?
• Quickly wrap a strip of burlap around the pot and staple secure for an instant finished look.   

Flower pot drainage hole cover

• Cut a circle a little larger than the base of a pot and place in the bottom before adding soil. 
• Pots will drain more evenly and the soil won’t run out the bottom

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Prevent soil erosion

• On steep slopes or newly turned areas, a layer of burlap tacked over grass seed can prevent the seeds from being displaced by rain or wind. 
• The burlap will naturally decompose so the area does not need to be disturbed.

Protect saplings from rodent damage

• Once planted, young trees may fall victim to damage from mice and rodents that eat bark and deform trunks. 
• Wrapping trunks with burlap can help protect young trees from animal damage.
• Burlap can also be secured to stakes to surround at-risk plants or create small fenced-off sections.  

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Help saplings get off to a good start

• Excessive sun and wind can be hard on young trees. 
• Burlap can be used to build windbreaks that will protect tender saplings until they can withstand more intense weather conditions on their own.
• Secure burlap to stakes to create protective barriers around young trees.  

Sunshade for tender seedlings

• Newly-transplanted seedlings need time to acclimate to outdoor conditions. 
• A sheet of burlap suspended over seedlings will help protect from direct sunlight. 
• The weave texture allows filtered light to reach the plants without the full intensity of direct sunlight.  
• Staple strips of burlap to stakes to protect from excessive wind.

Veggie growing containers

• Burlap grow-bags can be used to grow root vegetables such as potatoes.

Wrap exposed roots of plants for transplanting

• Tree and shrub root balls are often wrapped with burlap to keep the soil in tact around roots. The open weave of the fabric provides breathability.
• Burlaps’ moisture resistant properties prevent the growth of mold and mildew during transport.
• If you need to keep a root ball from losing soil around the roots or maintain moisture between transplanting, wrap with burlap for protection.