Digging up the backyard: found more than just dirt
I hear you on the fabric—those synthetic layers seem like a good idea until you’re knee-deep in roots and plastic shreds. I’ve actually started skipping it entirely for most beds, unless I’m dealing with super invasive weeds. Cardboard’s been much easier to manage, plus it breaks down over time. About mulch near the foundation, I’ve noticed it can also attract termites if you’re not careful... Maybe there’s a sweet spot between aesthetics and practicality? Always feels like a balancing act with landscaping.
- Just went through this with our new place—thought I was being smart with landscape fabric, but it turned into a mess. Pulled up a corner and found roots tangled everywhere, plus bits of plastic that just wouldn’t budge.
- Tried cardboard like you mentioned. Way easier to deal with, and the worms seem to love it.
- Mulch near the house is tricky. I’m paranoid about bugs too, so I left a little gap between the mulch and foundation... not sure if that’s enough, but it feels safer.
- Still figuring out what actually works long-term. Sometimes I wonder if less is more when it comes to all these layers.
Digging Up The Backyard: Found More Than Just Dirt
Landscape fabric—man, that stuff is the bane of my existence. Every time I think I’ve finally gotten rid of all of it, I find another stubborn scrap clinging to some root like it’s holding on for dear life. You’re right about cardboard, though. I started using it a few years back after a client swore by it, and now I’m a convert. Plus, the worms do seem to throw a party under there.
Leaving a gap with mulch near the house is smart. I’ve seen way too many folks pile it right up against the siding, then wonder why they’ve got ants moving in. That little buffer zone can make a difference—maybe not perfect, but better than nothing.
Honestly, sometimes I think the more complicated we try to make things, the more headaches we create down the road. A couple layers of simple stuff usually beats five fancy ones that end up turning into yard archaeology projects later... Learned that one the hard way.
Digging Up The Backyard: Found More Than Just Dirt
Cardboard’s definitely the way to go—landscape fabric just turns into a mess over time. I’ve pulled up yards where that stuff was basically fused with the soil, and it never really stops weeds anyway. I get why people use it, but honestly, it’s more trouble than it’s worth. The mulch gap near the house is one of those little things that makes a big difference, especially if you’ve ever dealt with termites or carpenter ants. Funny how the “simple” solutions usually end up working better in the long run, even if they don’t look as fancy at first.
I get where you’re coming from about landscape fabric, but I’ve actually had decent luck with it in a couple of projects—maybe it depends on the soil or how much foot traffic the area gets? Cardboard’s great for smothering weeds, but I’ve noticed it can break down pretty fast if you get a lot of rain. Ever tried using gravel as a base layer instead? It’s not perfect, but it does help with drainage and keeps things looking tidy near the foundation. Just curious if anyone’s run into issues with that approach...
