I've actually tried burlap sacks before, and honestly, they weren't my favorite. They looked nice at first, but after a couple months of rain and sun, they started breaking down pretty fast. Cardboard definitely held up better for me. One trick I've used to source boxes easily is checking with appliance stores—they usually have huge, sturdy boxes from fridges or washers that cover a lot of ground quickly.
"Cardboard definitely held up better for me."
Interesting you mention cardboard—I get the appeal, especially since it's easy to source. But honestly, in my experience, even appliance-grade cardboard eventually turns mushy after a few heavy rains. I've had better luck with landscape fabric under gravel or mulch. It's breathable, drains well, and lasts way longer without breaking down. A bit pricier upfront, sure... but saves headaches down the road when you're not peeling soggy cardboard off your patio stones.
I get the appeal of landscape fabric, but honestly I've found it can clog up after a season or two and stop draining properly. Cardboard definitely breaks down, but that's kinda the point—it composts right into the soil. If you're looking for something sturdier that still lets water through, I've had decent luck with burlap sacks. They're cheap, biodegradable, and hold up longer than cardboard without getting all mushy. Might be worth a shot.
Burlap sacks are a pretty clever idea—I hadn't thought of that one before. I've used cardboard myself, and yeah, it does break down quickly, but that's part of the charm. It enriches the soil underneath, which is great if you're planting around your patio. But burlap sounds like a nice middle ground between cardboard and landscape fabric.
One thing I've experimented with is using crushed gravel or pea gravel over a layer of sand. It drains really well, looks tidy, and weeds have a tough time getting through. Plus, it's easy to refresh every couple of years without much hassle. Have you tried anything like gravel or stone chips as an alternative? Curious how others feel about the aesthetics versus practicality on that front...
I've used pea gravel myself and agree it's practical for drainage, though it can be a bit of a pain if you walk barefoot. Recently switched to decomposed granite—packs down nicely, fewer stray bits, and weeds haven't been an issue yet...fingers crossed on that one.
