Question: After the growing season, can I put black landscape fabric over my perennials? Will the fabric hurt the perennials if they are covered for about five months? I'm hoping to stay ahead of winter weeds. I plan on rolling back the fabric once the weather gets warm again.

Answer: Rather than landscape fabric, which might smother some of the more sensitive perennials, you might simply use a layer of several inches of organic mulch such as shredded bark or chopped leaves. Place the mulch around but not quite touching the plants' crowns. This would inhibit those early weeds and also feed the soil as it breaks down. It can easily be brushed aside or, if fairly decomposed, dug into the soil when you add plants in the spring. The other option is to permanently install landscape fabric over the whole bed, cutting holes for the plants and covering the fabric with a thin layer of decorative mulch.