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Abstract

A landscaping system for minimizing downward penetration of weed roots. A polymer film having upper and lower surfaces and a selected porosity is positioned such that soil is disposed below and contacting the lower surface of the film. Mulch is disposed above the film, and contacts the upper surface of the film. There are projections formed in the film that extend away from the upper surface of the film and toward the mulch. The projections have a frustro-conical shape, or in other words are shaped like frustra, with sidewalls configured for deflecting roots growing along the film in an upward direction away from the film. The projections terminate at an apex, and are formed on the film at a selected density per unit area of the film. Apertures are formed in the film at the apex of the projections. The apertures have a selected diameter which is sufficiently large to allow passage of liquid water through the film. The selected density of the projections and the selected diameter of the apertures are chosen so as to provide the film with the selected porosity, such that water passes through the film at a rate approximately equal to that of highly porous soil. The polymer film may have an embossed patter of relatively high points, which are interspersed with relatively low points. A majority of the projections may be formed in the low points of the embossed pattern of the polymer film.

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First Claim