neighbor said to not put mulch or plants up against your house(pest),so my question is what should you do if i want to

Jimmy S
by Jimmy S
spruce up the front of my house along the front?
  10 answers
  • Your neighbor is right on this one, you should try to keep mulch at least a foot away from your home, two feet is better still. You can put in plants that are full/leafy enough to cover the fact there is no mulch behind them. Or you could go with something more like rock/gravel.
  • 3po3 3po3 on Feb 03, 2012
    Agreed. And I think you will find that if you get some nice landscaping in place, you won't even notice that 1-2 foot gap by the house.
  • Carol S Carol S on Feb 04, 2012
    We have gradually added gravel, it's actually slag from Ala. which is from iron mining and LOVE the no care for our flower beds and paths. It's neat, drains and makes weeding a snap. Also adds iron to the plants. You can get it at local gravel supply companies. Requires a strong back to spread it!
  • Jimmy S Jimmy S on Feb 05, 2012
    Thanks guys. I did measure after looking at your responses and its really not a big gas as i picutred in my mind. What plants Dan? I know hostas are leafy, this area gets sun until about 4 oclock though. Hostas might burn up. And Carol, do you have the gravel slag all the way through your bed including around the plants or just up to the house? Thanks again.
  • Jimmy S Jimmy S on Feb 05, 2012
    "not as big a gap"
  • A one foot gap from the foundation is plenty and you won't even notice it. Lava rocks, gravel, river rock all work great and you can get those by the bag at Depot or Lowes. You can get some great landscaping ideas by visiting open houses on Sunday in more expensive neighborhoods. Take you phone or camera and take pics of things you see that you like. If you don't recognize the plants...post here and someone can ID them for you!
  • Jimmy, I'm sorry to say that I am not really much of a landscaper so I'd be hard pressed to suggest any specific type of plants for you. However, if you can perhaps post a pic of the area you are looking to plant in, somebody here will offer suggestions I'm sure.
  • Jimmy S Jimmy S on Feb 06, 2012
    Nice Idea Andy. never even thought of just taking a drive to other parts of the county. Good idea Dan. I shouldve done that from the start.
  • The rule of thumb here is at least 3-4 inches from any structure or trunk of a tree or shrub. Georgia is well known for pesty bugs.
  • BEV BEV on Jul 09, 2015
    Yes, you MUST NOt ;put any type of mulch or most plant material against foundation of your house, this is an invitation to all kinds of bugs including termites. Gravel, marble chips are good. When we bought new gutters. we used the old ones against the house (could not be seen)