We recently installed a fence around a large section of our yard after clearing rocks and adding topsoil.
21 Comments
-
That sounds like a capital idea! Ts-Up to an "All-Clime" remedy! Best 2U...JL -
The advantage of newspaper is that you can till it in when spring comes, unlike carpet or landscape fabric. -
I spread a bunch of newspaper and some mulch last fall to kill a lawn and start a new xeriscape area. My only concern with your plan is the newspaper blowing into neighbors yards or just blowing away. It might be worth spreading some mulch to keep it down and maintain solid groundcover. Also be warned that my newspaper and mulch job killed all the grass and most weeds, but the really aggressive stuff (around here, it's the bindweed), snaked through the newspaper and found the light of day. -
I agree with Walter and Steve, put down a layer of newspaper and then a layer of mulch on top (a product like Nature's Helper ) would be effective and easy to till into the soil in spring. -
You can use your leaves, Donna, if you shred them first. It's a tedious process, but I've done a lot of it over the years. -
If you are trying to avoid weeds growing in the area you can use a pre-emergent weed killer to keep them from getting established. I'm a firm believer of letting leaves stay on the ground if they are not smothering small plants. (I thought that was why they were called"leaves".) In the spring they can be spaded into soil for organic material before you set the perennials in place. -
thank you Anne, I'll try the pre-emergent weed killer then add a thick layer of newspaper, some mulch and let the leaves stay where they fall. -
If you double mulch/shred the leaves with a mulching lawn mower you will have a great mulch as well as nurishment for your soil. -
The mulcher mower is a great invention!
-
I don't have a mower. We have very little grass so we have someone else do the mowing. Next year I'm getting a manual push mower. I do have a large lot with lots of 'old' leaves that have turned to mulch...nice mulch. I'll move it......
-
If you buy a push mower, I really like the Fiskars Momentum model.
-
I invested in a cordless electric mower, very pleased, charge lasts a long time - no gas, no oil, and it is easy to use
-
Most landscaping stores will sell their professional grade weed-stop fabric. My local BusyBee Nursery sells the 12' wide for $1.69/ft. The 3' wide is only 69cents per linear foot. -
Cordless electric sounds good I'll check out both the Fiskars and the cordless. I hate grass.
-
I am with Erica. I got a cordless electric Worx mower last year. Quiet, lightweigt, no gas can in the garage. I get 3 mows at least before I have to recharge. -
Donna, I think you are better off with newspaper (as you originally indicated) than weed fabric, as others suggested.
-
@Donna: People should think of grass in the same way they think of protein on a plate. There should be a small amount, surrounded by lots of other things. A huge lawn is no better for the environment than a giant porterhouse is for a person.
-
@ Douglas, I may have to steal your line about grass being like protein-although some would argue that I grow green weeds and turf, a special blend called "neglecto" no fertilizer, no pesticides no worries- just green.
-
@Douglas - you are so right. In my last house I had no grass at all. Here I refuse to use any chemicals, so I have weeds. One mans weed is another mans rose right? After it rains here I can smell all the nasty chemicals people use just to have a gorgeous lawn. Yuk.
-
Doug, I love that protein analogy. I totally agree, and I may also have to steal it. I am keeping just enough for me and the boy to play catch (although we are one block away from a fantastic park, so even that doesn't really matter).
-
I can see that I should have copyrighted that line. LOL! But if it means less grass, use away.
