Looking For Liner To Keep Weeds Out Of Shrub Beds

Q: I am looking for a liner that will keep weeds from growing up in my shrub beds that are mulched with wood shavings. I had someone line them last year but weeds were back before summer barely started. 

A: I do not recommend using weed prevention fabric/liner. Your experience demonstrates exactly what happens with it: once you put it on the ground and cover it with mulch, weeds grow in the mulch and send roots through the fabric. It’s a real tribulation to pull the weeds, whose roots pull the fabric back up again. I think your best option is to apply a three-inch layer of pine chip mulch under the shrubs, pull it back a few inches from the trunks, and be vigilant about pulling small weeds that grow in the mulch in summer