You'll find many previous discussions here on its use if you want to review them. Make sure it is one of the permeable landscape fabrics, not solid black plastic.

I use it for early spring soil warming but yes, even in my zone, it can get too hot once summer arrives. That is why, once the summer heat arrives, you have to reverse its warming use by covering it with something to block the direct sun exposure. Once soil temp reaches 70-75 degrees I use several inches of hay to cover it. It then keeps the soil cooler.

It keeps the weeds down well and conserves soil moisture throughout the gardening year.

And, if you are using soaker hoses or drip irrigation, make sure it is UNDER the weed block, not on top.

Dave

PS: in your zone, if just weed control is your goal, you can accomplish the same thing by using several inches of any good organic mulch like straw or hay and wouldn't need the plastic. Saves $$$

Thanks for the reply digdirt. I read a lot of the previous posts and seems nearly all the negative comments were directed toward the black plastic . I have permeable landscape fabric that I was planning on using but my soil temperatures are already in the 70-75 degree range . My thoughts are somewhat uncertain on what I want to accomplish but weed block , moisture retention , and I thought it might prevent soil splatter onto lower plant leaves during storms seemed to be positive effects . What really got me to thinking about using this is I am installing drip line irrigation this year and I thought the fabric on top of the lines would prevent dirt and mulch from clogging the emitters in the drip line. But I do not want to kill my plants with too much heat so I may wait till next spring and use it to warm the soil.
THANKS again for responding
CDG

My thoughts are somewhat uncertain on what I want to accomplish but weed block , moisture retention , and I thought it might prevent soil splatter onto lower plant leaves during storms seemed to be positive effects . What really got me to thinking about using this is I am installing drip line irrigation this year and I thought the fabric on top of the lines would prevent dirt and mulch from clogging the emitters in the drip line.

All great goals and all can be accomplished using

* 4-6 inches of straw or hay, shredded leaves, grass clippings, etc. or

* a mix of all or any of them on top of 6-8 layers of wet newspaper sheets or

* on top of cardboard

and you won't have to worry about the excess soil heat with them. Plus, by season's end they have all decomposed and can just be tilled into the garden for soil improvement.

Dave