Digging up the backyard: found more than just dirt

Honestly, I’ve been burned by “natural” paths more than once. One backyard project, I tried just laying wood slices straight onto the dirt—looked awesome for about two weeks. Then the rain hit, and half of them started sinking or growing mold. These days, I always dig down a bit, lay landscape fabric, then gravel before anything else goes in. Not the most glamorous process but it saves a ton of hassle. Wood’s great for aesthetics but it needs backup, especially if you’re dealing with heavy clay or low spots. Mud can sneak up on you fast...