Had a similar thing happen when I tried to put in a veggie patch—hit a bunch of broken tiles and chunks of concrete. Ended up costing more to haul it out than I expected. Did you just leave the bricks in, or did you have to pay to get rid of them?
DIGGING UP THE BACKYARD: FOUND MORE THAN JUST DIRT
That’s rough—seems like every backyard project comes with a surprise or two, right? I ran into something similar when I was putting in a fence. Dug up what felt like half a demolished patio—bricks, old pipes, even some weird metal bits. At first, I thought about just leaving the bricks in and working around them, but honestly, it bugged me too much. Ended up hauling most of it out myself over a few weekends. Not gonna lie, it was a pain, but I felt better knowing what was under there.
If you can stomach the extra work or cost, getting rid of the debris is worth it in the long run. Plants just do better without all that junk in the way. But hey, if you can use some of the bricks for edging or a path, that’s a win too. Sometimes those old materials come in handy, even if they’re a headache at first. Either way, don’t let it put you off—once you get past the mess, it’s so satisfying to see your garden take shape.
DIGGING UP THE BACKYARD: FOUND MORE THAN JUST DIRT
I get where you’re coming from about hauling everything out, but I’ll be honest—I kinda like when there’s “junk” left behind from previous owners. Sometimes I think we’re too quick to clear it all out and start fresh, when those old bricks or bits of metal can actually add a little character. I mean, I’ve seen some pretty wild luxury gardens where they purposely leave old stone or even rusty iron as a sort of “found object” vibe. It’s not everyone’s thing, but it can look cool if you lean into it.
Plus, depending on what you find, some of that stuff might have history. My neighbor dug up a bunch of old blue-and-white tiles and ended up framing them as garden art. Another friend found what turned out to be an antique horseshoe—she just cleaned it up and hung it by her back door for luck. I guess my point is, sometimes the debris is more than just junk.
That said, totally get wanting a clean slate if you’re going for a certain look or need healthy soil. But maybe there’s a middle ground? Like, keep a few interesting pieces and work them in somewhere—maybe as a little accent or tucked into a flower bed. It’s less work than hauling everything out, and you get something unique that tells a story.
Of course, if it’s all just busted concrete and broken glass, yeah… probably best to clear it out. But if you find anything weird or old, maybe give it a second look before tossing it in the skip. Sometimes the best parts of a garden are the ones you didn’t plan for.
DIGGING UP THE BACKYARD: FOUND MORE THAN JUST DIRT
I get the appeal of “found object” gardens, but I’ll admit, I’m always a bit wary. Last time I tried to save some old bricks I found, they ended up being full of ants and cost me more in pest control than if I’d just tossed them. Maybe I’m just unlucky, but I feel like half the time what looks like treasure turns out to be someone’s leftover headache. That said, I did keep a weirdly shaped rock once—my kid insists it’s a dinosaur egg. At least that one didn’t cost me extra...
I hear you on the “hidden costs” of backyard finds. I’m all for reusing materials, but sometimes old bricks or wood are more trouble than they’re worth—pests, rot, even weird chemicals if you’re unlucky. Still, I get a kick out of the idea that something tossed aside can be given a new life. Ever wonder if it’s safer to just buy reclaimed stuff from a yard or salvage place instead of digging it up yourself? Or does that defeat the whole point?