[wonderlyeric]

I have put in a new lawn and I am ready to lay bark dust around the borders. What is the best way to control weeds from growing through the bark dust?

[PSUscaper]

before putting the muclh down, either mechanically/physically remove all the weeds or use a herbicide such as round-up.

Fabric may help for the first year, but in general, as most will agree here, does little to prevent future weed growth.

After installation, the best thing is to do periodic maintenance, either by physical pulling or by chemical. The key is not to let it get out of control.

nothing is 'maintenance free' in this world. Mulch doesn't mean you can put it down and walk away from it. You need to keep a maintenance plan and will need to most lilkely re-mulch every year.

[GLAN]

If you area homeowner and doing your own property...........first physicaly remove the weeds.....get as much if not all roots possible..........level out your soil.......spread Preen over the soil

Spread your mulch and then water it down so that you release the chemical in the Preen.

If you are not doing your own.....and this job is for hire..........You cannot apply Preen / Treflan without a pesticide license.........so do everything else other than using the pesticide.

[TrickyDick]

Oh if only all homeowners asked these questions before they went and put weed fabric under thier mulch...the world would be such a better place.

Thank you for asking. Ditto on all the above. I would only add that in addition to not preventing weeds landscape fabric is a long term nightmare. No matter what the guy at home depot says...do not buy it.