	AllExperts > Landscaping & Design
	Search

About Russel Ray
Expertise
I can answer questions about water-wise landscaping, xeriscaping, and using native vegetation, cactus, and succulents to create a home paradise that won't increase your water bill.

Experience
My wise ol' grandmother got me started with cactus and succulents 42 years ago. The rest, as they say, is history.

Organizations
National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, Better Business Bureau of San Diego

Education/Credentials
After graduating from Texas A&M University, I started a plant-sitting business in Houston to take care of the house plants when people went on vacation. That went on for five years before I moved back to College Station and started several businesses, one of which was a landscaping business specializing in "dry" landscaping.

Awards and Honors
The privilege of working with people.

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Exterior Decorating > Landscaping & Design > Lawn fabric and mulch

Landscaping & Design - Lawn fabric and mulch

Expert: Russel Ray - 10/22/2009

Question

Landscape

I live in Alpine, California and we have gophers so a lot of plants I have had to put in hard wire cloth to protect them. The dirt is level with the sidewalk. I've been told that I need to put atleast 3 inches of mulch on the ground. Do I need to take some of the dirt out? And if I have already planted plants can you still lay down lawn fabric? I have attached a photo of the front yard where I have been planting.

Thanks for your help.

Nancy

Answer
Hey, Nancy.

Why do you "need to put at least three inches of mulch on the ground"?

I can tell you from experience that it won't have any effect on the gophers.

However, mulch will help control erosion, weeds, soil moisture, and soil temperature, and I just think it makes the landscape look better all around.

If the soil is already level with the sidewalk, taking some soil out would keep everything level, but you could also line the side of the walkways with rocks, wood, pots, pine cones, etc., and then place the mulch behind that.

Putting down lawn fabric after having planted plants is actually the best way to do it, but people usually put down the fabric first and then cut holes in it wherever they want to put plants since that way is less labor-intensive.

Hope that helps.

Nice house. I love Alpine and hope to move there when I retire.

Russel

Add to this Answer Ask a Question