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I'll present the other opinion... First off don't use the cheap stuff. DeWitt Pro 5 is good. Keep the mulch at around 3" (more is not better). And don't blow lawn clipping (i.e. weed seeds) into the bed.
Nothing is 100% effective. Certain weeds germinate in mulch. Does that mean we don't mulch because it's not 100% effective? Of course not . Mulch HINDERS most weeds. Just as weed mat HINDERS many weeds and suckers and invasive plants, especially those that move underground.
It also slows the decompositon of the mulch by 30-50% because it creates a barrier between the mulch and organisms in the soil that break it down.
Plus, on many larger jobs we can do our planting and lay the mat right over the sod and then mulch. No need to remove the grass.
So, will it stop future weeds that can germinate in anything from mulch to stone dust ... no. But will it will it stop many of the initial weeds and invasive underground runners and slow the breakdown of the mulch...yes. Are either or both used together 100% effective... no.
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