Landscape Staples vs Regular Garden Stakes
Which Holds Better for Landscape Fabric?
When installing landscape fabric or weed barrier, many homeowners assume that any garden stake will do the job. After all, if the fabric is pinned to the ground, it should stay in place — right?
Unfortunately, this assumption leads to one of the most common landscaping failures: fabric lifting, shifting, or tearing after just a few weeks. The real difference isn’t the fabric — it’s the stake design.
What Are Landscape Staples?
Landscape staples are U-shaped metal stakes designed specifically to anchor landscape fabric, weed barrier, ground cover, and irrigation tubing.
Their U-shaped design secures material at two points instead of one, distributing pressure across a wider surface area. This makes them far more resistant to wind and soil movement.
What Are Regular Garden Stakes?
Regular garden stakes are typically straight pins made from thin metal or plastic. They are often included with budget landscape fabric kits or sold as general-purpose stakes.
While they may work temporarily in very soft soil, their single-point anchoring makes them prone to loosening and pull-out, especially when exposed to wind or rain.
Landscape Staples vs Regular Garden Stakes: Key Differences
| Feature | Landscape Staples | Regular Garden Stakes |
|---|---|---|
| Anchoring Design | U-shaped (dual-point) | Straight pin (single-point) |
| Holding Power | High | Low to moderate |
| Wind Resistance | Excellent | Poor |
| Fabric Lift Prevention | Keeps fabric flat | Fabric often lifts |
| Durability | Heavy-duty metal options | Often bends or loosens |
| Best Use Case | Landscape fabric, weed barrier | Temporary or light-duty use |
Why Regular Garden Stakes Fail Over Time
Regular stakes fail not because they are defective, but because they are not designed for landscape fabric applications.
- Single-point pressure allows fabric to move
- Wind works fabric loose around the stake
- Thin metal bends under soil resistance
- Plastic stakes degrade under UV exposure
Once a single stake loosens, wind can lift the fabric and create a chain reaction that pulls surrounding stakes out as well.
Why Landscape Staples Hold Better
U-shaped landscape staples solve these problems by design.
- Two anchoring points increase pull-out resistance
- Even pressure keeps fabric flush with the soil
- Thicker metal resists bending
- Longer legs provide deeper ground penetration
This is why professional landscapers rely on metal landscape staples instead of standard garden stakes.
When Should You Choose Landscape Staples?
Landscape staples are the better choice if you are working with:
- Weed barrier or landscape fabric
- Windy or open areas
- Sloped or uneven ground
- Hard or compacted soil
- Long-term installations
For quick, temporary projects, regular stakes may suffice. But for durability and peace of mind, landscape staples are the clear winner.
Final Verdict
If you’re deciding between landscape staples vs regular garden stakes, the answer depends on performance — not price.
U-shaped metal landscape staples provide superior holding power, better wind resistance, and longer-lasting results. For securing landscape fabric properly, they are simply the better tool for the job.
Want a full step-by-step installation guide? Read our complete guide on securing landscape fabric properly.