My backyard mulch is in bad shape, and I need to refresh it. For the past couple of years, I've really only managed to keep the weeds at bay with a weedeater, and once I replaced mine this year, the weeds had gotten pretty out of control. Instead of raking up all the dead weeds, I'm considering a plan: wet the area down, cover it with black plastic sheeting for a while to let the debris decompose, and then remove the plastic. After that, I'd put down cardboard and finish with new mulch on top. Does that sound like a good strategy? Also, I've got some low spots to fill in—should I add dirt before or after putting down the plastic? Any advice would be appreciated!
1 Answer
You could definitely give that plan a shot! But honestly, I often just leave the weeds there. Mulch is mostly organic material, so it can be beneficial. As for the cardboard, it's great for blocking sunlight and preventing new growth, but it sounds like a lot of work to me! If you really want to speed things up, the plastic sheeting should help break down the weeds faster, especially with the summer heat. Just keep in mind the cardboard will last a long time on the surface, so it will need moisture to break down properly.
The plastic is just a temporary step to speed things up, so you should be good! Plus, using the wet cardboard can help hold the hazelnut shell mulch in place since you have plenty of it lying around.