“I tried a mix of flagstone and mulch paths, but I still wrestle with weeds sneaking in between.”
Yeah, weeds are relentless—mulch or gravel, they always find a way. I’ve had a bit more luck with gravel if I lay down a thick landscape fabric underneath first, but it’s not foolproof. Sometimes I just accept a few green invaders for the sake of keeping things from looking too sterile. Honestly, a little wildness can make the space feel more alive anyway... as long as it doesn’t turn into a jungle.
I hear you on the wildness—sometimes I let a few clover patches go just because the bees love them. I’ve been thinking about edging my paths with low ground covers like creeping thyme to crowd out weeds a bit. Has anyone tried that on a flat lot? Wondering if it actually helps or just turns into another thing to maintain...
I’ve been thinking about edging my paths with low ground covers like creeping thyme to crowd out weeds a bit. Has anyone tried that on a flat lot? Wondering if it actually helps or just turns into another thing to maintain...
Creeping thyme is a solid choice—smells great when you walk on it, too. On a flat lot, it can definitely help keep weeds down, but it does need a little attention at first to get established. Once it fills in, though, it’s pretty low-key. I’ve seen folks use it along wide paths and it holds up well, but you’ll want to watch for bare patches where weeds might sneak in. Honestly, it’s less work than constantly pulling weeds, but not totally maintenance-free. If you’re okay with a bit of wildness, it blends in nicely with clover patches and the bees will thank you.
I tried creeping thyme along a patio edge on a flat lot last year—looked great at first, but I’ll admit, it took longer than I expected to fill in. Had to keep an eye on weeds sneaking through the gaps for a while. Once it got going, though, it really did cut down on the weeding. Only thing is, if you’re not into a slightly “messy” look, it might bug you when it spreads out of bounds. I kinda like that relaxed vibe, but I know not everyone’s into it.
Only thing is, if you’re not into a slightly “messy” look, it might bug you when it spreads out of bounds.
Honestly, I’ve found edging with stone or brick helps keep that “messy” vibe in check. If you want something tidier from the start, dwarf mondo grass or even blue fescue can work—fills in faster and stays put. Creeping thyme’s great, but it does have a mind of its own sometimes.