BUILDING ON LEVEL GROUND: STEP-BY-STEP TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF A FLAT LOT
Totally get what you mean about the “parking lot with plants” vibe—flat lots can feel lifeless if you don’t break things up. I worked on a project where we convinced the owners to add a berm and a rain garden, partly for looks but also to help with runoff. It made the whole yard feel more intentional, not just... flat.
On shade, I’ve got mixed feelings about sail shades. They’re fine until the first big storm rolls through and you’re out there wrestling with fabric at 2am. I’d rather spend a bit more upfront for something that’ll last, even if it means waiting a season or two.
Drip irrigation plus mulch has saved my weekends. Landscape fabric’s okay, but sometimes it feels like weeds find a way no matter what—nature’s stubborn like that.
Drip irrigation plus mulch has saved my weekends. Landscape fabric’s okay, but sometimes it feels like weeds find a way no matter what—nature’s stubborn like that.
Totally hear you on the mulch and drip combo. I tried landscape fabric too, and somehow those weeds still pop up, especially at the edges. Ever tried just going heavy on mulch without fabric? I found it actually made weeding easier, plus the soil stays healthier. Curious if you noticed the same? And yeah, flat lots need some “oomph”—a berm or even big boulders can make a huge difference.
TITLE: Building On Level Ground: Step-By-Step Tips For Making The Most Of A Flat Lot
I get the appeal of skipping fabric, but I’ve actually had better luck layering fabric with mulch—especially for high-traffic areas or spots where I want things really low-maintenance. Mulch alone looked great at first, but after a season or two, it seemed to break down too fast and I was back to square one with weeds. Maybe it’s just my soil type… but I’d rather replace a bit of mulch than fight crabgrass every weekend. Those boulders do add instant character though, no argument there.
TITLE: BUILDING ON LEVEL GROUND: STEP-BY-STEP TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF A FLAT LOT
I get where you’re coming from with the fabric—it’s definitely a popular choice for keeping things tidy. Just wanted to toss in a different take, since I’ve had the opposite experience on my lot.
- I actually ditched landscape fabric a few years back after getting frustrated with how compacted the soil felt underneath. Seemed like nothing was thriving except the weeds that somehow found their way through the seams anyway.
- Mulch alone does break down, yeah, but I’ve found that’s kind of a bonus for the soil. My beds are way healthier now, and I just top up the mulch every spring. It’s not zero-maintenance, but it’s less hassle than pulling up fabric every few years.
- For high-traffic areas, I started using gravel or decomposed granite with stepping stones—less mess, no fabric needed, and it holds up better with pets and kids running around.
I hear you about crabgrass, though. That stuff is relentless. I had a patch that laughed at every barrier I put down, fabric included. Ended up switching to a thicker bark mulch, and that seemed to slow it down more than anything else I tried.
Boulders are a whole other story. Even if you do nothing else, a couple of well-placed rocks make everything look intentional. My neighbor used some to edge his veggie beds and it looks awesome.
Guess it comes down to what you’re willing to trade off—soil health vs. pure weed suppression, or how much time you want to spend on upkeep. No one-size-fits-all, unfortunately.
I’ve had the same battle with landscape fabric—honestly, it felt like I was just creating a mat for weeds to root into. I switched to mulch too, and yeah, it’s more work topping it up, but my plants seem happier. Ever try cardboard as a base layer? I did that under mulch last year and it broke down nicely, plus it seemed to slow the weeds for a while. Curious if anyone’s had luck with that long-term. And boulders—totally agree, they make everything look more finished, even if you’re not a “landscaper.”
