skip to main content

Landscape Design Design Dilemma

What can I do in this area of backyard?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I have a 1 acre rectangular lot. Previous owners took a big chunk of the corners of backyard and planted evergreens and let it get kind of wild. They put some kind of mulch that is more of broken shells than wood chips. We‘ve lost some of the evergreens. its just a mess now. I love the hostas and day lillies. We added some more shrubs to fill in a bit. Mulching the whole area would be so expensive. I would love to fill the majority of both areas with all kinds of different hostas. Someone in our neighborhood has something similar and it’s gorgeous once they all bloom and fill in. My plan was to keep watching for people splitting their hostas and just keep adding. Thinking I’d need about 100 in each area. Would take several years. My problem is previous owner installed this nightmare of a weed barrier. It’s woven plastic that is nearly impossible to cut through. Planting is the easy part, that barrier is awful It’s about 3” down. My husband suggested I have a couple truckloads of dirt brought in to build up over the weed barrier and plant over it. Can I do that? Any suggestions?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

PRO
Yardvaark
3 years ago
That sounds only like compounding the problem to me. If the material is woven polypropylene, it is quite tough. I would rent a Bobcat and try to pull it out with that. It's going to be a destructive process that will require smoothing out.
Little Bug
3 years ago
I have the very same issue - heavy duty landscape fabric in existing beds! It’s very tarp-like, with several inches of mulch over the top.

I’ve removed some older plantings and added new, with much effort every time. I have to carry a pocketknife or hori hori to cut the tarp. Lots of existing plants have grown so they are nearly strangled by it. Arg!! I’m sure it was pricey to install, but I really really hate it.
Related Discussions
can I do greys in my pool/backyard design w a brown/brick house?
Q
Comments (3)
You have options! As long as you mix some of the tones from your house into the exterior living space, you can add in grays. The best bet would be to go with warm grays to help blend the warm and cool spectrums. Consider adding gray to your home's exterior on the structure itself to create a fully cohesive palette. Best of luck with your project!
...See More
How do I fix the area bewtween the door to the backyard and the grass?
Q
Comments (2)
You can’t fight physics. If the dogs use this exact path every time they go out, you probably aren’t going to be able to get anything to grow there. I’d lay flagstones. Yes, you may just move the dirt spot further away, but I don’t see any other solution. Just get the spot out from the house and hopefully the dogs will “scatter” a bit and not follow a direct line to their tree.
...See More
What can I do to improve this eyesore that is my backyard?
Q
Comments (4)
I see 2 or 3 burning needs. One is get a bag of mortar and a trowel and start teaching yourself how to construct masonry stonework. Kill two birds with one stone by picking up all the rock laying around the yard, and by building something wonderful out of all that free material. Another need is a general cleanup of low limbs, scrub brush and weeds. Define beds and mulch them. And the biggest need of all is find a low groundcover that works in your area and start installing it. Most groundcovers can be easily propagated so once you get going, a huge amount of ground can be covered in a relatively short period of time, for low cost (with DIY labor.) And, of course, before you build or plant anything, create a plan so you know that you're putting things in the right places.
...See More
Any ideas on what to do with a large sloped area in the backyard?
Q
Comments (23)
Two comments stand out. First, "it doesn't rain much here"; second, "I assume this slope has survived ok for the past 70 years". The rain issue - if you are in a region which is on the dry side now, a heavy rainstorm could cause a flash flooding issue. Second, as with infrastructure which is 70 years old, if maintenance is not performed - or an inspection by a civil engineer at the least - you could have a slope failure. It is hard to know what type of weight is above the wall or if structural changes have taken place at the properties above you which could cascade down to you. I would have a professional (engineer, not landscaper) assess the site to point out possible issues. If you rebuild any part of it, I would incorporate some type of drain/ditch/trench along the bottom of the wall to help divert possible runoff from running into your house. If you do rebuild, at least a couple of stepped terraces would seem prudent. Then, I would replant with something native that would be beneficial for the slope stability. Not knowing your region, I couldn't begin to make a suggestion. But deep roots, ability to withstand drought, lower in height, and spreading should be qualities to look for in a shrub. You can always intersperse clumps of colorful perennials for pollinators amongst low growing greenery.
...See More
violetsnapdragon
3 years ago
Ha--I think I should call myself "The Lazy Gardener." I just posted about how I dug a belgian block border and didn't bother putting sand beneath it. Now I'm going to tell you about how the landscape fabric #@#%!! left by the previous owner was dug/yanked/cut out one area at a time, as needed. If I tried to tackle the entire yard at once, it would have been overwhelming to me. Yeah--I'd pull it out instead of laying dirt on top and remember, I AM a lazy gardener. Also, I don't know about where you live, but our town dump offers free mulch--maybe ask around, if you decide to go that route. Good luck!
cyn427 NoVaZone7
3 years ago
Get rid of that landscape fabric! You will be glad you did when your new plants begin to thrive and grow without it. Your hosta will want more than 3 inches as they grow. If you leave it there, you will see everything struggle and eventually die.
Lori B
Original Author
3 years ago
I cannot imagine how I can even get the weed barrier up. They put it in a different area where we have been doing some planting and it wasn’t until we got about 7-8” deep that we couldn’t figure out what we were hitting and why we couldn’t dig further. Thought we were hitting stone. Nope! Weed barrier! 😡 Its so far down!
violetsnapdragon
3 years ago
I cut mine out in probably 4 foot sections. I shoveled the dirt to one side, cut the fabric with a box cutter and pulled it up and raked the dirt back into place. There's a garden courtyard at the hospital where I work. There's a section where nothing grows. I asked the gardener dude (a volunteer Master Gardener) and he said, "Landscape fabric, buried deep. Everything we've tried to plant on top of it has failed." It was laid over 25 years ago, so all the mulch over time--it's deep. And give the MG a break--he's probably pushing 80 and I can't blame him for not taking on the task.

Related Stories

LAUNDRY ROOMS Where Can I Hide My Laundry Area?

By Melanie Gardener

It’s a case of now you see it, now you don’t with these 10 clever ways of fitting in a laundry zone

THE POLITE HOUSE The Polite House: What Can I Do About My Neighbors’ Trash Cans?

If you’re tired of staring at unsightly garbage way before pickup day, it’s time to have some tough conversations

LANDSCAPE DESIGN See How Outdoor Seating Areas Can Inspire You to Get Outside

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Explore your options with these 10 design ideas from enticing gardens, patios and balconies

BACKYARD IDEAS Yes, You Can Rent Out Your Backyard

By Laura Gaskill

Have a great outdoor space at home? Here’s how to make it work for one of your passions — or for profit

OUTBUILDINGS 12 Fun Backyard Forts Grown-Ups Can Love, Too

By Becky Harris

Kids might use them for secret meetings, but the word is out on these tree houses and playhouses that consider adult design tastes

LIFE The Polite House: How Can I Tell a Construction Crew to Pipe Down?

If workers around your home are doing things that bother you, there’s a diplomatic way to approach them

REMODELING GUIDES Ask an Architect: How Can I Carve Out a New Room Without Adding On?

When it comes to creating extra room, a mezzanine or loft level can be your best friend

THE POLITE HOUSE The Polite House: Can I Put a Remodel Project on Our Wedding Registry?

Find out how to ask guests for less traditional wedding gifts

LIFE The Polite House: How Can I Kindly Get Party Guests to Use Coasters?

Here’s how to handle the age-old entertaining conundrum to protect your furniture — and friendships

LATEST NEWS FOR PROFESSIONALS Designing a Business: How Can I Add Income Streams?

By Design for a Living

Design business coach Chelsea Coryell offers up several easy ways pros can increase their cash flow

Sponsored

Columbus Premier Design-Build and General Contractor

More Discussions

Which Vines do you recommend?

5

Backyard patio design help

5

Advice and Imagination

3

Curb Appeal Suggestions Needed

10

Pruning Advice For Red Maple with Codominant Leaders

1