[green_fingered_ash]

It is the woven plastic type that I have bought and as predicted the ends are starting to come apart leaving long strips of plastic on the soil  . Would I be able to seal the ends of a cut with a lighter? It would take me a long time, but it if prevents numerous black strands of plastic building up over, it would be worth it.

[Yorkie]

I have often wondered this but not been brave or foolhardy enough to try (delete as appropriate depending on outcome of experiment ... ).

I would simply try to turn the fraying edges under if possible and weight down with bricks or similar.

[goodtogrow]

Someone on my site uses a blowtorch to melt frayed edges and also to make permanent holes in the fabric.

[heloise]

I bought my OH a little torch thing that is made for chefs to use for melting the tops of creme brulees (not that he's ever taken the huge hint and made me any more  ). This now gets used to 'cut' and seal the edges of the fabric and it works pretty well.
Small enough to be non-scary but does the job 

[Nikkithefoot]

D'ya know I was wondering much the same thing. I will bring my fabric home for OH to play with and melt the ends when I'm not needing it.