Solution for this Mud Pit

Ish L
by Ish L
The bottom of the stairs has a large worn out area, where grass used to be. When dry, the dogs track endless dirt trails back into the house, and when wet, the dogs are tracking in mud.
I don't think grass will grow back. I am looking for some alternatives as to what to fill in these patches. I am not crazy about wood chips because they just end up spreading all over the place. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to resolve this? Thanks in advanced.
  11 answers
  • Lori J Lori J on Jul 19, 2012
    I would dig it down a bit and establish a 'landing pad' of sorts. Line with landscaping fabric, use a combination of a nice big slate stepping stone surrounded with pea gravel or river rock. The gravel/rock would help with drainage, the slate would be a dry island.
  • Jan C Jan C on Jul 19, 2012
    I agree, do a "foundation" type landing. Find one large piece of flagstone or put a row of blocks across. Dig down, lay sand and set the stone in so it doesn't rock when walked on. The stone will also file your dogs nails - an added bonus!!!! Good luck!
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Jul 19, 2012
    Yikes! I love the color of the stairs! Fun!
  • Bluestone, flagstone, concrete....
  • Sharron W Sharron W on Jul 19, 2012
    OK! Love all of those possible solutions! LOL
  • Marianne Radley Marianne Radley on Jul 20, 2012
    I agree with Jan C.!!
  • Becky P Becky P on Jul 20, 2012
    I have a very nice sized flagstone at the bottom of mine. Works great. Did under the fence gate also because grass wouldn't grow there either due to the downspout.
  • Elisabeth R Elisabeth R on Jul 21, 2012
    you could use bricks.
  • Lori J Lori J on Jul 21, 2012
    And if money is tight, you could make it work with cement rubble. We did our garden path that way. My hubby would like to redo it at some point with brick, but personally, I like it as is.
  • Ish L Ish L on Jul 22, 2012
    Guys, I am taking Lori' and Jan's advice... I purchased a slate rock, and now I'm thinking i'm going to buy a few more and perhaps create a path to the gate, like Lori did... Thanks for all the great advice guys!
  • Laura Pettit Laura Pettit on Nov 02, 2016
    I mixed different colors of small rocks with white gravel for contrast and filled in the problem area. I also dug a small drain off to one side to drain off the excess water