Agricultural ground cover netting is one of the most useful and least understood products in the netting range. Laid directly on the ground between crop rows, it suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, protects fruit from ground rot, and can even moderate soil temperature — all without chemicals. The spec you choose decides whether it does any of those jobs well.
Ground cover netting sits between the soil and the crop and does several jobs at once. Weed suppression is the primary one — the dark surface blocks light so weeds cannot germinate, eliminating the need for hand-weeding or herbicides in the row. Moisture retention follows naturally: the covered soil loses less water to evaporation, which matters most in drought-prone regions and during dry spells. Fruit protection is the third: strawberries, melons and other low-growing crops stay off the wet ground, so they stay cleaner and rot less.
Ground cover netting comes in both woven and knitted constructions, and the difference matters for this job. A woven ground cover is tight and flat — it sits well on the ground, blocks light completely, and is strong under foot traffic. A knitted ground cover has more give and is more tear-resistant, but the open mesh lets some light through, which can encourage shallow weed germination. For pure weed suppression, woven is the standard. For frost protection or where the ground cover is moved regularly, knitted is more durable.
Ground cover is walked on, driven over (in some systems) and left in the sun for months at a stretch. 80–100 gsm is the standard commercial weight — heavy enough to survive a season without tearing, light enough to handle and roll. For institutional or multi-year use, 100–150 gsm is worth the extra cost. Like all agricultural netting, demand UV-stabilized material — ground cover in full summer sun degrades fast without it.
Ground cover netting is anchored with ground pegs or U-pins every 1–2 m along the edges and any seams. Overlap adjacent widths by 10–15 cm at the seams to prevent weeds pushing through the join. Cut holes or slits for plants as they grow — a clean slit is better than a hole that stretches, because a stretched hole lets light and weeds through. For perennial crops or long-term installations, consider woven mulch fabric which is heavier and more durable than netting for ground-level use.
| Use | Construction | GSM | UV | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weed suppression | Woven | 80–100 | Essential | Row crops, strawberries |
| Multi-season | Woven | 100–150 | Essential | Perennial beds, tree rows |
| Frost protection | Knitted | 60–80 | Essential | Tender crops, early season |
Agricultural ground cover netting is often compared with plastic mulch film. Ground cover breathes and lets water through, so overhead irrigation and rain reach the soil. Plastic mulch seals the surface completely, which saves more water but requires drip irrigation underneath and creates a waste disposal problem at the end of the season. For organic systems or where overhead irrigation is the norm, ground cover netting is the more flexible choice. Tell us your crop and row spacing and we will recommend the construction, GSM and width.
Weed suppression, moisture retention and fruit protection are the three main uses. Laid between rows, it blocks light to weeds, reduces evaporation, and keeps low-growing fruit off the wet ground.
Woven for pure weed suppression — it is flat, light-blocking and strong. Knitted for frost protection or where the cover is moved regularly — it is more tear-resistant and durable.
80–100 gsm for a standard season, 100–150 gsm for multi-season or institutional use. Always UV-stabilized for outdoor use.
Yes — unlike plastic mulch, ground cover netting is porous, so overhead irrigation and rain reach the soil. This makes it compatible with all irrigation types.
Ground cover is a weed, moisture and fruit tool — choose woven for suppression, knitted for durability, and always spec UV-stabilized material. Tell us your project and we will spec the right net, GSM and size.
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