I built my house a year ago, and I've just discovered that my plants in two large garden beds aren't growing because there's landscaping fabric about 8-10 inches down, with a layer of gravel underneath it. I'm really upset about this situation! I have two main questions: Should I hold the landscapers accountable for this? If so, how can I approach them? My next idea is to move the plants, rip out the fabric and gravel, till the soil, and add compost, greens, and browns to let it break down until next year. Does that sound feasible? And is there anything I can do to improve the soil for this growing season, considering how compacted it is both above and below the fabric?
3 Answers
I get how frustrating it is! If your beds are in-ground, you likely have a drainage layer, and pulling up the fabric could lead to major problems. Have you confirmed that the landscapers installed the fabric? That could help if you want to take action against them. Otherwise, piling more compost may be your best bet for this season, just make sure it’s safe for the drainage system.
Before you start tearing things up, ask the landscapers about what they installed. If the fabric is in place for drainage, like around your foundation, removing it might cause flooding issues. It could be really expensive to fix that later if mud clogs the drain. You might want to consider just building up the beds with more compost instead!
It sounds like the landscaping fabric might be serving as a filter for a drainage system. You should definitely check your contract with the landscapers. If they didn't specify the use of fabric and rocks, and those weren't visible during inspection, you could ask them to remove it. Also, look into your HOA rules—if fabric is banned, that's another point for your case!
Thanks for the advice! I haven't checked specifics about the installation, and I'll definitely ask them first.