I have a mostly dirt backyard that I want to cover with mulch, but I'm not sure how to do it right. Can I just spread it out over the dirt and hope it stays put? Also, there's a small incline that I want to mulch—will the mulch stay on the slope, or do I need to take extra steps to keep it from washing away? I've heard suggestions like edging near my fence (which has a hollow spot under it) to prevent the mulch from spilling into the front yard, and maybe using something like weed fabric or cardboard to manage weeds. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
You might want to loosen the dirt on the slope before adding the mulch, as it can help it settle better and reduce washing away. Regular mulch won’t stay in place on its own, and adding some rocks or gravel can help prevent it from spilling under the fence. Planting some ground cover plants, like alyssum, is a great idea too—they look pretty and add stability!
Yeah, simply spreading mulch over dirt might lead to problems, especially on slopes. A big rain can wash it away, so consider creating some edging to keep it in place. The idea of using a thick layer of mulch is good, and if you have weeds, you could use newspaper or cardboard beneath the mulch to help smother them, but that might be trickier on a slope. Also think about planting some native wildflowers as they can anchor the soil down!
If you're on a slope, just know that mulch on cardboard is likely to slide off, so it’s better to skip that method and go for thick mulch with proper edging. Also, consider ground covers to stabilize the area. I recommend checking out what works best in your locale! And when getting mulch, buying in bulk is usually cheaper than using bagged mulch.
That's solid advice! Plus, using large gravel near the fence can still let water drain while keeping the mulch in place.
Absolutely, the right plants can really help hold the slope together! Just make sure they’re native to your area for the best results.