How to use landscape fabric in garden?

Landscape fabric is a environmental material used to control weed by inhibiting their exposure to sunlight. The fabric is normally placed around desirable plants, covering areas where other growth is unwanted.  While weeds aren’t given a chance to grow, the fabric is a porous material allowing water, air and fertilizer to reach the soil. Cutting small holes in the fabric allows you to grow plants in the area. Correct installation of the landscaping fabric is necessary for the material to work properly and lay smoothly. Once installed, the fabric saves you time and energy by reducing weeds in your planting bed without having to pull them.

Dig or pull any existing weeds in the garden bed to start with a weed-free area.
Turn the garden soil with a tiller or fork. Work compost and any soil additives into the ground based on what you plan to plant in the area.
Rake through the soil to smooth the area. Pick up any rocks, sticks, roots and other debris in the soil. Smooth the soil with the rake a final time.
Unroll the landscape fabric. Lay it lengthwise on the gardening bed starting at one edge and working across.
Cut the fabric using a sharp utility knife or scissors so it fits the area. Cut additional pieces of fabric to cover a larger area and overlap the pieces by 12 inches to prevent weeds from squeezing in between gaps.
Cut slits in the landscape fabric to accommodate existing plants in the area. Position the slit around the stem of the plant.
Smooth the fabric over the soil to prevent bunching or lumps. Push a landscape staple through the fabric and into the ground every few feet. Secure all edges of the landscape fabric, including the joints where two sheets of the fabric meet.
Cut an X into the fabric in the desired location for new plants. Dig a hole under the X and position the plant. Cover the roots with soil. Reposition the landscape fabric over the soil.
Cover the landscape fabric with 2 inches of mulch. Place the mulch around the plants without piling it against the stems.