Creating a new flowerbed
#1
10-18-00, 12:09 PM
Greetings! We have just bought an old home that has no flowerbeds. The
area around the house where we would like to put our beds has weeds and
bermuda grass growing. We were going to measure out the beds and build up
12 inches of soil and mulch on top of the existing ground. We were not
planning on tilling up the soil underneath.
What is your recommendation?
Should we put something like round-up on the grass before we put the
soil/mulch on top?
Thank you for your help!!
[This message has been edited by Cindy B (edited October 18, 2000).]
area around the house where we would like to put our beds has weeds and
bermuda grass growing. We were going to measure out the beds and build up
12 inches of soil and mulch on top of the existing ground. We were not
planning on tilling up the soil underneath.
What is your recommendation?
Should we put something like round-up on the grass before we put the
soil/mulch on top?
Thank you for your help!!
[This message has been edited by Cindy B (edited October 18, 2000).]
#2
10-18-00, 11:01 PM
Cindy,
Ladybug should be by with some good, practical and easy to understand information and advice. But in the meantime, you might check out this webpage for some information on Bermuda Grass and it's irradication http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7453.html . The webpage is from University of CA so the growth habits and control might be a little different in your area. Happy Gardening.
Phil H
Ladybug should be by with some good, practical and easy to understand information and advice. But in the meantime, you might check out this webpage for some information on Bermuda Grass and it's irradication http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7453.html . The webpage is from University of CA so the growth habits and control might be a little different in your area. Happy Gardening.
Phil H
#3
10-19-00, 08:08 AM
Hi Cindy,
Click on the website listed by Phil. Excellent information on burmuda grass and its eradication. (Thank you, Phil.)
Also, thanks to Phil, I can tell you that you can go to the website for your local Cooperative Extension Service. http://www.reeusda.gov/1700/statepartners/usa.htm. Just click on your state and go to your county. Contact them for local advice which will take into account your soil and climate. They're great people and so helpful.
When you say "flower beds around house" and "build up 12 inches of soil and mulch" do you mean right next to the house? How high is your foundation?
The soil + mulch must be at least 3"-4" below the level of your siding, brick, etc.
The land should slope away from the house for at "least" 4 feet at 1/4" per foot on all sides of the house (a 2 percent slope). This is a minimum slope and distance for drainage away from the foundation. Depending on your soil type I generally prefer a greater distance for the slope to cover. I consider 4' a bare minimum.
An excellent book on landscaping including detailed information on drainage, renovation, etc. is All ABout Landscaping by Ortho Books. Take a look at it at your local library or garden center book display. You may wish to refer to this for some ideas, tips, and step by step how to's for getting your landscaping the way you want it.
Best - Ladybug
Click on the website listed by Phil. Excellent information on burmuda grass and its eradication. (Thank you, Phil.)
Also, thanks to Phil, I can tell you that you can go to the website for your local Cooperative Extension Service. http://www.reeusda.gov/1700/statepartners/usa.htm. Just click on your state and go to your county. Contact them for local advice which will take into account your soil and climate. They're great people and so helpful.
When you say "flower beds around house" and "build up 12 inches of soil and mulch" do you mean right next to the house? How high is your foundation?
The soil + mulch must be at least 3"-4" below the level of your siding, brick, etc.
The land should slope away from the house for at "least" 4 feet at 1/4" per foot on all sides of the house (a 2 percent slope). This is a minimum slope and distance for drainage away from the foundation. Depending on your soil type I generally prefer a greater distance for the slope to cover. I consider 4' a bare minimum.
An excellent book on landscaping including detailed information on drainage, renovation, etc. is All ABout Landscaping by Ortho Books. Take a look at it at your local library or garden center book display. You may wish to refer to this for some ideas, tips, and step by step how to's for getting your landscaping the way you want it.
Best - Ladybug
