I have bermuda surrounding my house. I don't want grass actively growing against my home for an assortment of reasons, plus it's harder to maintain.
I have dug this 5 inch trench. I have a large amount of landscaping stones (the one next to the trench) and my plan is to fill the bottom of the trench with paver base (tiny gravel), lay the stones upside-down (thats the flat side), and then place the other landscaping stones (the larger ones) on top, all around my home. Then I need to kill the vegetation between the stones and the house, and put a little mulch in that area, to be pretty.
The bottom stone is there to keep the top stone in place and to act as a barrier against the bermuda roots (until the bermuda finds a way inside anyways).
Some questions:
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What sort of filler do I want between the stones? Polymeric sand? Construction adhesive?
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Is mulch a fine idea in the 'bed'? 90% of my lawn slopes away from my house fairly well, so I am not too worried about water pooling in my beds, but I guess that's less relevant when there is a literal stone wall in the way, so maybe it will pool? Do people make this a bigger issue than it really is? (no basement btw)
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Any other suggestions to improve my plan or is it sound?
by AllTheMedicine
4 Comments
I’m not sure where you live but I’m in CA and you can’t really landscape within 3 feet of your house because of fire prevention laws or something
Depends on where you live. Here in Finland its discouraged to do that, not only because of water pooling, but constant moisture affecting the foundation long term.
You didnt say what you want to have in the bed. Dry liking plants and shrubs that you wouldnt water? Sure I guess. Just dont plant anything too close to the foundation, pipes and cables exiting the house.
Is it going to be plants you would have to water? I would not recommend the bed then.
Is it going to be just mulch? Unfortunately life finds a way and you will have there bermuda back with all sorts of weeds.
People here will give you a good advice. Take the tidbids that affect you and make something nice there 🙂
Water against foundation bad.
Your bed should start at the dig line and go out 6’ or so from there. Nothing between dug line and house. ESP don’t dig close to the gas line. You need this space to get behind the plants when needed.