Keep Landscape Fabric in Place Without Rework

By Kevin Cody | Founder & CEO, FLI Products / Mary Joan Isorena, Communications
Published: September 17, 2026

Installing landscape fabric or ground cover is easier when the material stays where you positioned it. Learn how to plan, place and secure landscape material—and where a reusable, rust-free ground anchor like AnchorStake® can fit into the project.

A landscaping project can look straightforward until a large sheet of material is actually on the ground.

An edge moves while you're working. A section bunches while you're fitting it around a shrub. An overlap shifts before it is covered. Suddenly, you're repositioning material you already thought was finished.

The solution isn't simply adding more stakes. A better installation starts with preparing the area, understanding the particular landscape material you're using, planning seams and edges, following its manufacturer's anchoring instructions, and choosing compatible hardware for the job.

This guide walks through that process and explains where AnchorStake can fit when a landscaping project calls for a heavy-duty, reusable ground anchor.

For more ground-anchoring resources, visit the AnchorStake Hub.

Key Takeaways

• Prepare first, anchor second. Positioning ground cover over an unfinished surface makes the rest of the installation harder.

• Follow the landscape-material manufacturer's instructions. Different fabrics and ground covers can require different overlaps, anchoring hardware and installation methods.

• Pay particular attention to edges and seams. These are areas where positioning and anchoring are especially important during installation.

• Don't invent a universal stake spacing. Use the requirements for the specific material and project.

• AnchorStake is a reusable 11.5-inch ABS ground anchor that may fit compatible landscape-fabric applications.

What Should You Do Before Laying Landscape Fabric or Ground Cover?

Don't begin by unrolling material.

Begin with the area underneath it.

Remove the weeds and unwanted material appropriate to the project, establish the shape of the bed, and prepare the surface according to the requirements of the landscape product you're installing.

For example, DeWitt Company — Landscape Fabric Installation Guide for its landscape fabric instructs users to remove weeds and rake the ground smooth before positioning the material. Its instructions also distinguish between installations around existing shrubs and installations beneath pathways.

That distinction matters.

A planting bed with established shrubs isn't the same project as a gravel path, and a tarp or other temporary ground cover isn't necessarily installed like landscape fabric.

Before anchoring anything, know:

• what material you're installing;

• what will eventually cover it, if anything;

• where existing plants and permanent features are located;

• where seams and borders will fall; and

• what anchoring method the material manufacturer specifies.

The ground anchors should support the installation plan—not substitute for one.

Lay Out the Entire Area Before Making Final Adjustments

One of the easiest ways to create extra work is to permanently commit to one portion of the layout before understanding how the remaining material will fit.

Start by positioning the material across the project area.

Check its relationship to planting beds, borders, shrubs, pathways and other landscape features.

If the material must be cut around an existing plant, follow the manufacturer's instructions for that product. DeWitt, for example, provides specific guidance for placing its fabric around existing plants and for making openings where plants will be installed.

The objective at this stage is straightforward:

Get the layout right before making the anchoring system responsible for keeping it right.

What Should You Do at Landscape-Fabric Seams?

Large projects often require more than one section of material.

That makes seams an important part of the installation.

But there isn't one overlap measurement that should automatically be applied to every landscape product.

For example, DeWitt's pathway installation instructions specify an overlap for its material and tell installers to secure fabric at regular intervals, especially along seams and edges. Those instructions apply to that manufacturer's installation system; another product may specify something different.

So rather than memorizing one universal number, check the instructions supplied with the fabric or ground cover you're actually using.

The same principle applies to anchoring hardware.

If a manufacturer specifies particular pins, staples, fasteners or spacing for its product, follow those requirements.

Why Do Edges Matter During Installation?

An otherwise well-positioned sheet can become frustrating when the perimeter moves while you're working elsewhere.

That's one reason manufacturers frequently address edges as part of their installation instructions. DeWitt, for example, specifically identifies seams and edges as areas that need to be secured in its pathway installation guidance.

Think about the project as a complete system:

GROUND → LANDSCAPE MATERIAL → ANCHORING METHOD → FINISHED COVERING

Each layer affects the next.

If the underlying surface is uneven, the material may not lie as intended.

If the material is poorly positioned, anchoring it simply locks in a bad layout.

And if the finished mulch, stone or other covering is applied while the material is still shifting, correcting the problem becomes more difficult.

How Do You Keep Ground Cover From Moving While You Work?

First, determine how the specific material is designed to be secured.

Landscape fabric manufacturers commonly offer their own anchoring systems. DeWitt, for example, directs users of its fabric to use its Anchor Pins and provides product-specific installation guidance.

For other outdoor projects and compatible landscape-fabric applications that call for a more substantial reusable ground anchor, this is where AnchorStake can enter the discussion.

FLI Products specifically identifies landscape fabrics as one of AnchorStake's intended applications.

The important word is compatible.

Don't assume that because AnchorStake can be used in landscape-fabric projects, it should automatically be pushed through every fabric in the same way. Check how the material is supposed to be anchored and determine whether AnchorStake's design suits that particular installation.

That keeps the product recommendation grounded in the actual project rather than forcing one piece of hardware into every situation.

Where Does AnchorStake Fit Into a Landscaping Project?

AnchorStake is FLI Products' heavy-duty ground-anchor option for outdoor applications including tents, tarps, canopies, trees, outdoor décor and landscape fabrics.

For a compatible landscape or ground-cover installation, several product characteristics are relevant.

11.5-Inch Ground Anchor

AnchorStake measures 11.5 inches long. Its length distinguishes it from small surface-level fabric fasteners and gives it a different role where a substantial ground anchor is appropriate.

That does not mean greater length automatically makes AnchorStake appropriate for every fabric or every soil condition. The application still determines the hardware.

ABS Construction

AnchorStake is manufactured from ABS plastic rather than metal.

For landscaping applications, one practical difference is corrosion: ABS does not rust like ferrous-metal hardware can.

Reusable Design

FLI identifies AnchorStake as reusable season after season.

That can be particularly useful for temporary ground covers, changing landscape layouts or other projects where the anchoring hardware may eventually be removed and used again.

Designed for Outdoor Anchoring

The current FLI collection information describes AnchorStake as suitable for landscape fabrics as well as tents, tarps, canopies, outdoor décor, trees and other outdoor applications.

Made in USA

AnchorStake is Made in USA, another product characteristic identified by FLI.

Together, those characteristics position AnchorStake as a reusable, non-metal anchoring option—not as a universal replacement for every landscape-fabric pin or staple.

When Should You Use the Fabric Manufacturer's Fasteners Instead?

This distinction is important.

Suppose you've purchased landscape fabric whose manufacturer specifically instructs you to install it with a particular pin or staple system.

Follow those instructions.

AnchorStake's inclusion among FLI's landscape-fabric applications does not override another manufacturer's installation requirements.

There are also projects where a small fabric pin may be entirely appropriate and a heavy-duty 11.5-inch ground anchor is unnecessary.

The goal isn't to use the largest stake available.

The goal is to match the anchoring method to the material and project.

That's the same reason AnchorStake and ordinary landscape-fabric pins shouldn't be treated as interchangeable simply because both can appear in landscaping projects.

What About Tarps and Other Ground Covers?

Landscape fabric isn't the only material homeowners secure outdoors.

Tarps and other temporary covers introduce a different attachment problem because they may have reinforced grommets, loops or other designated connection points.

FLI specifically lists tarps among AnchorStake applications.

When working with a tarp, use the attachment points and installation method intended by its manufacturer. Avoid puncturing material or creating an improvised connection simply because a ground stake is nearby.

AnchorStake's design includes an attachment area for ropes or guy lines, making this type of application fundamentally different from fastening thin landscape fabric directly to the soil.

Again, the material determines the connection.

How Should You Work Around Existing Plants?

Existing shrubs and plants turn a simple rectangle of fabric into a fitting project.

Don't force the material tightly around trunks or stems without checking the installation requirements.

Instead, plan the layout around the plants before final anchoring.

Manufacturer guidance can be especially useful here. DeWitt's instructions, for example, provide a separate installation method for positioning its fabric around existing shrubs and plants.

This is another reason to resist anchoring everything immediately.

Position.

Fit.

Check.

Then secure.

That sequence gives you an opportunity to correct the material before additional layers make adjustments more difficult.

What Happens Once the Material Is Positioned?

Finish the project according to the landscape-material manufacturer's instructions.

Some landscape fabrics are designed to be covered with mulch, bark, decorative stone or another material. DeWitt's installation guide, for example, directs users to cover its fabric after it has been positioned and secured.

As you add the finished covering, work methodically.

Watch for sections that move, fold or become exposed.

Check the perimeter.

Check seams.

Check areas around plants.

And check any anchoring hardware that should remain part of the finished installation.

The final appearance should come from getting the underlying system right—not from using mulch or stone to hide a poorly positioned layer underneath.

What If Your Landscape Changes Later?

Landscaping rarely stays exactly the same forever.

Plants grow.

Beds expand.

Borders move.

Temporary covers come down.

A section may eventually be redesigned altogether.

This is where reusable hardware has a practical advantage.

FLI describes AnchorStake as reusable season after season. When a compatible temporary or changing installation no longer requires the anchor, it can be removed, cleaned, inspected for damage and retained for another appropriate project rather than automatically treated as disposable hardware.

That creates a useful distinction between the landscape material itself and the anchoring hardware.

The project can change without necessarily making every component single-use.

Backyard Ground-Cover Project Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AnchorStake be used with landscape fabric?

Yes. FLI Products specifically lists landscape fabrics among AnchorStake applications. The way the fabric should be anchored still depends on the fabric manufacturer's instructions and the particular project.

Is AnchorStake a landscape-fabric staple?

No. AnchorStake is an 11.5-inch ABS ground anchor, not a conventional small landscape-fabric staple.

Should I push AnchorStake directly through landscape fabric?

Don't assume that installation method applies universally. Follow the instructions supplied with your landscape fabric and use AnchorStake only where its design is compatible with the intended anchoring method.

How far apart should AnchorStakes be when securing landscape fabric?

There is no universal AnchorStake spacing recommendation. FLI does not publish a standard spacing for this product. Follow the landscape-material manufacturer's anchoring requirements and adjust the installation to the specific project rather than inventing a standard spacing.

For comparison, some landscape-fabric manufacturers publish spacing for their own fasteners; those measurements should not automatically be transferred to AnchorStake.

Does AnchorStake rust?

AnchorStake is made from ABS plastic rather than metal. ABS does not rust like ferrous-metal stakes can.

Can AnchorStake be reused?

Yes. FLI describes AnchorStake as reusable season after season. Inspect reusable outdoor hardware before each new installation.

Can AnchorStake also secure tarps?

Yes. Tarps are among the applications identified by FLI Products. Use the tarp's intended attachment points and follow its manufacturer's setup instructions.

Is AnchorStake Made in USA?

Yes. FLI identifies AnchorStake as Made in USA.

A Better Landscape Installation Starts Before the First Anchor Goes In

Keeping landscape fabric or ground cover in position isn't simply a matter of adding stakes. Prepare the area, understand the material, plan seams and edges, follow the manufacturer's anchoring instructions and choose hardware that fits the actual application.

For compatible projects requiring a more substantial reusable ground anchor, AnchorStake provides an 11.5-inch, rust-free ABS option specifically identified by FLI for landscape-fabric and other outdoor anchoring applications.

Where to Buy AnchorStake

AnchorStake 10-Pack Heavy Duty Ground Stakes Rust-Free Landscape Anchors is available directly from FLI Products. The current FLI collection lists the 10-pack and identifies AnchorStake for landscape-fabric and other outdoor applications.

Explore AnchorStake at fliproducts.com

About Kevin Cody

Kevin Cody | Founder & CEO, FLI Products

Kevin Cody is the Founder and CEO of FLI Products and a product development, merchandising and retail industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience. His background includes merchandising leadership at The Home Depot as well as developing, sourcing, manufacturing, marketing and bringing consumer products to market through major retailers and online marketplaces.

Kevin works directly with manufacturers, inventors, retailers and consumers to develop practical products that solve everyday problems. His experience spans product design and development, retail merchandising, manufacturing, e-commerce, marketplace strategy and consumer product education.

Through the FLI Products Learning Center, Kevin shares practical, experience-based information designed to help consumers better understand products, solve problems and make informed purchasing decisions.

Read Full Bio

About FLI Products

FLI Products develops and markets practical consumer products designed to solve everyday problems at home, outdoors and on the job. Working directly with manufacturers, inventors and retailers, FLI Products focuses on thoughtful product design, practical functionality and useful solutions for consumers. Its products are available through FLIProducts.com and select major retailers and online marketplaces.

About FLI Products

Sources & References

FLI Products — AnchorStake Collection
Current FLI information used to verify the 11.5-inch design, ABS construction, landscape-fabric application and reusable positioning.

DeWitt Company — Landscape Fabric Installation Guide
Used for manufacturer-specific examples involving site preparation, existing plants, seams, edges, anchoring and finished coverings. These instructions apply to DeWitt's products and are not presented as AnchorStake installation specifications.

For more ground-anchoring resources, visit the AnchorStake Hub.