I just had concrete work done to fix the issue of rain water running down the slope of my backyard and pooling against the backside of my house. The concrete looks great (imo) and slopes away from my house. Water issue seems fixed. (Woohoo!)
But there’s this gap/drop off between the concrete and the yard (mud). I feel like the contractor removed a lot of the yard and so there’s not like a dirt pile for me to just shovel back into place (I don’t know why they left it like this or if this is the norm?).
So I’m wondering what material to buy to fill in this gap. I have zero experience with landscaping. I’m in the Midwest. The cheaper the better (not looking for anything fancy, just efficient). I’d appreciate really specific answers.
by thatssowild
21 Comments
Dirt.
People all over the place giving away fill dirt for free.
A truckload of topsoil then continue the slope away from the patio
Maybe something like semi-permeable pavers? That will allow water to run off and be absorbed by the ground but also cut back on mud/dirt
wow
You could rent/buy a rototiller and regrade the yard so that it slopes away from the house.
Typical concrete crew move right there leaving you with the “man-trap” ankle breaker. Since you fixed a drainage issue already you don’t want to mess that up by trapping water in that trench so you need to bring the grade up to match the rest of the yard. The cheapest route is buying a few yards of “clean fill” dirt or unsifted topsoil from a local landscape supply yard rather than buying bagged stuff at a box store which will cost you a fortune for this much volume.
Pack that dirt in tight and stomp on it until it is firm but stop about three inches below the lip of the concrete. Do not try to grow grass right up against that edge because the runoff from the slab will scour the seeds out and leave you with mud on your new concrete. Instead throw down some non-woven landscape fabric on top of your compacted dirt and fill that top three inches with 1.5 inch river rock. It looks intentional and handles the water volume perfectly without washing away.
I help people fix these unfinished grading situations all the time and a rock border is always the cleanest fix. It keeps the mud off your shoes and saves you from hitting the concrete with your string trimmer later which creates a much sharper look for the backyard.
Dirt/topsoil. You may want to wait until you can plant some grass or lay sod soon after you put the topsoil down. The sooner you can get something growing in it after putting it down the better. Also, I would dig those chunks of concrete out of the ground and get rid of them first.
Fresh garden soil, compacted at the edge.
More yard.
Dirt
The bodies of the jackasses that left such a damn mess? Jeez. My damn plumber made my dug up (12 foot deep friggin’ trench) driveway look basically brand new when they were done. Just had to lay down some gravel to stop me from sinking into the quicksand that is MO clay in the rain.
You got some good advice below/above, but wow. They really didn’t finish the job.
make stone bed border about a foot all the way around. use crushed or river stone.
Dirt. I’m doing a similar job as we speak.
Dirt of course
it really depends on your aesthetics. you could bring in some pebble rock. dirt and sod, mulch and low watering plants, yucca? Do you enjoy yardwork? do you hate yardwork? Id let those choices be your guide.
Black dirt.
Topsoil. Compost last inch or so. May as well make it plant friendly. No fabrics. They don’t control weeds; just cause problems.
Easy fix. Rake clean, level off. ( maybe a thin layer of top or planting soil) spend $10 – $20 in wild flower seed. Spread, let grow. ( maybe a border along walkways )
Good luck. Ps. Once you rake and clean. You have a yard open in your mind. Ask yourself. What can I look at every day ? A yard you can sit in with look outside. Walking by wild flowers. Imagination is a wonderful thing. Don’t waste it.
Fire pit and seating area.
Flower bed, 1 ft wide with breaks for step and future handrails
A little pond