Sheet Mulching

[thistlebloom]

Thistle, cardboard won't be exposed. It will have a thick layer of wood chips on top. If an area starts getting exposed for some reason, I will cover it back up.

Ugh, I really don't want to have to eliminate the grass. I would end up doing it by hand and that's going to be a pain in the ....

Mary

I understand you will be covering it. But mulch has a way of moving around... I'm just dealing with some cardboard I laid in the veg garden last summer for the kids garden. It did it's job but now there are decomposed hunks of it in the beds.
Different situation, so it's just me visualizing what's in my spot going on your daughters yard.

And yes to your question of will the grass grow up where you have planting holes. Depending on the variety of grass that may be easily dealt with, or a real headache. If it were me I would eliminate the grass first. I vote for your daughter doing a good share of the work.

 

[ninnymary]

I understand you will be covering it. But mulch has a way of moving around... I'm just dealing with some cardboard I laid in the veg garden last summer for the kids garden. It did it's job but now there are decomposed hunks of it in the beds.
Different situation, so it's just me visualizing what's in my spot going on your daughters yard.

And yes to your question of will the grass grow up where you have planting holes. Depending on the variety of grass that may be easily dealt with, or a real headache. If it were me I would eliminate the grass first. I vote for your daughter doing a good share of the work.

Darn, I just want to go to the nursery and have a pleasant time spending someone else's money. Digging 5 holes quickly and planting, then sheet mulching. Be done in 2 hours then go have a nice lunch. Easy peasy with no backbreaking work, haha.

Mary

 

[ninnymary]

I suppose that roughly 5x20 ft. shouldn't take too long for 3 people to remove that grass. Maybe couple hours? I guess we could do it the evening before and then plant in the morning.

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

Since you are planting shrubs and then sheet mulching it may work without the grass becoming a problem around the shrubs if you carefully remove all the grass around the areas where the shrubs will go in. Does that make sense?
So, if you know what your shrub spacing and locations will be, concentrate on a good grassless perimeter around those sites, then mulch the rest.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Since you are planting shrubs and then sheet mulching it may work without the grass becoming a problem around the shrubs if you carefully remove all the grass around the areas where the shrubs will go in. Does that make sense?
So, if you know what your shrub spacing and locations will be, concentrate on a good grassless perimeter around those sites, then mulch the rest.

Absolutely!

 

[ninnymary]

Ok I get it.

Mary

 

[Beekissed]

Miss Mary, a thick layer of hay will kill off that grass for you, no need to do all the work of removing it. It works both as a weed block, moisture control and compost all in one application.

 

[ninnymary]

Miss Mary, a thick layer of hay will kill off that grass for you, no need to do all the work of removing it. It works both as a weed block, moisture control and compost all in one application.

Would I still have to use cardboard?

Mary

 

[Ridgerunner]

Would I still have to use cardboard?

Mary

In my opinion, if you have it I'd use it the first time. You may be fine without it, depends on how thick the mulch is and what plants you have trying to push their way through the mulch. It's one of those cases where if you don't use it you may wish you had but if you do use it you will probably never know how necessary it was.

 

[catjac1975]

I plan to sheet mulch my daughter's small front yard. I've already planted hydrangeas against the foundation and only have about 3-4 feet to sheet mulch and plant between the hydrangeas and the sidewalk.

I've never done it and am a little sceptical about it. I understand that you can put cardboard on top of grass and weeds, add some compost, water it down, and then cover with mulch.

You can either cut holes in the cardboard and plant your plants or plant first and then do the above.

Wouldn't stuff still grow around your plant? The grass would still get some light and water since it's impossible to put the cardboard right up to the plant and make it so tight sunlight can't get in.

How has it worked for you who have done it?

Do you do it like I've described or is there another way?

Are you ever able to eliminate all grass around your plant?


Thanks for all the help!
Mary

You have to start weed free.