I'm located in zone 7 in Western North Carolina, and my small backyard has a mix of grass, rocky soil, creeping Charlie, and various weeds. I'm planning to hire a landscaper for an initial cleanup, lay down mulch, and then plant some native flowers and plants in the fall or spring. However, the landscaper is recommending landscape fabric, which I've learned might not be the best option. If I go ahead with the cleanup, what kind of upkeep can I expect? I enjoy some yard work, but I don't want it to turn into a part-time job. What should I realistically anticipate?
3 Answers
It’s a good idea to keep up with the weeding for the first couple of years to help your native plants get established. Once they're settled in, maintenance should be much less demanding. Also, planting your seeds in the fall is ideal since they benefit from cold stratification to wake up in spring. Consider working in small sections; that method helps manage erosion and gives you a chance to see what thrives in your yard.
Definitely skip the landscape fabric! It can end up being more trouble than it's worth, as it may only work for a season. Instead, how about putting down cardboard to smother the weeds? Just be aware that while mulch is useful, you might still need to stay on top of the weeding or use a pre-emergent every few weeks. With your weeds dying back in the fall, maybe just let them do their thing for now and focus on planting some hearty perennials in spring.
I’d say forget about the landscaper suggestions, especially if they are pushing for fabric. Learning to garden can be a bit overwhelming, but getting familiar with your current plants and figuring out what to keep or remove is important. Aim to plant with foresight; think about the mature sizes of what you want to grow. Natives usually fill in nicely over time, so just be patient! And yes, start small; you don’t want a massive project to manage while you’re still learning. Gardening is definitely a journey of trial and error!