Sheet Mulching

ninnymary said:

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

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thistlebloom said:

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.

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thistlebloom said:

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.

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Beekissed said:

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.

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ninnymary said:

Would I still have to use cardboard?

Mary

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ninnymary said:

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

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