Landscape fabric is hit or miss for sure. I've had weeds bust right through mine too, especially those stubborn grassy ones—it's like they're mocking me. And yeah, I DIY'd a French drain a couple years back. Halfway through digging, I was seriously questioning my life choices... but honestly, once it was done, it worked great and saved me a ton of cash. Tell your "friend" to hang in there, it'll be worth it in the end.
Yeah, landscape fabric is definitely a mixed bag. I've found layering cardboard underneath helps a ton with those stubborn grassy weeds. Breaks down eventually, but gives you a fighting chance. And kudos on the French drain—I feel your pain, digging trenches is no joke...
"I've found layering cardboard underneath helps a ton with those stubborn grassy weeds."
Cardboard's decent, but honestly, I've had better luck just using thick layers of mulch. The cardboard tends to get soggy and messy after heavy rains, and sometimes it attracts pests. Mulch breaks down slower, looks nicer, and seems to keep weeds at bay longer. But yeah, totally agree about trench digging...my back still remembers the French drain project from two summers ago.
Mulch definitely has its perks, especially if you're going for looks and longevity. But have you found a budget-friendly source for it? Around here, mulch prices have gone up quite a bit lately, so cardboard's been my go-to just because it's free and easy to get from local stores. I hear you on the soggy mess though...after a heavy rainstorm last spring, my garden looked like a recycling bin exploded everywhere. 😂
Have you tried combining both methods—like laying cardboard down first and then topping it with a thinner layer of mulch? Might stretch your mulch supply further and still keep weeds under control without breaking the bank. And yeah, trench digging is no joke...my shoulders ache just thinking about that French drain project! Glad your storm shelter passed inspection though; that's gotta be a relief after all the hard work.
😂Have you tried combining both methods—like laying cardboard down first and then topping it with a thinner layer of mulch? Might stretch your mulch supply further and still keep weeds u...
I've actually tried layering cardboard under mulch before, and it worked surprisingly well. The cardboard kept weeds down nicely, and the thin mulch layer prevented that "recycling bin explosion" look you mentioned after heavy rains. Definitely worth experimenting with if mulch prices stay high.