- Cardboard under mulch is my go-to too—less mess, holds up longer, and honestly, it’s way easier to lay out than wrestling with soggy newspaper.
- If the mulch smell gets intense, I’ve found spreading it thinner helps air it out faster.
- Neighbors might grumble, but hey, your yard looks better in the long run.
- Sometimes I’ll toss a few lavender sprigs on top for a quick scent fix... not sure it does much, but it makes me feel better.
Cardboard under mulch is a solid move—honestly, I’ve seen it hold up way better than newspaper, especially if you get those big appliance boxes. The mulch smell can be a bit much at first, but you’re right, spreading it thinner really does help. I’ve had clients swear by tossing in a handful of cedar chips for the scent, but lavender sounds way more pleasant. Neighbors might grumble now, but give it a season and they’ll be asking how you did it. Stick with it... the payoff’s worth the hassle.
I’ve seen it hold up way better than newspaper, especially if you get those big appliance boxes.
Honestly, I’ve had mixed luck with cardboard—sometimes it gets soggy and attracts bugs, especially if the drainage isn’t great. I actually prefer landscape fabric for a cleaner look, but I get the appeal of recycling boxes. The cedar chips idea is interesting, but I’d be careful—too much and it can overpower everything else scent-wise.
I hear you on the cardboard—mine turned into a mushy mess after a rainy week, and I swear the ants threw a party. Landscape fabric’s tidy, but my wallet cries every time I price it out. Has anyone tried just layering grass clippings or leaves instead? Wondering if that’s just asking for weeds...
Tried the grass clippings route last summer—looked promising for a couple weeks, but then the weeds just punched right through. Leaves did a bit better, especially if you pile them thick, but they blow around unless you wet them down. Honestly, nothing’s as low-maintenance as fabric, but yeah... it ain’t cheap.