I hear you on pressure gates being useless in old houses—mine just became a tripping hazard for the adults. I’ve done the plywood barrier too, but hav...

Torching’s always tempting, but I’ve found it just fries the tops. Roots stay happy underground. Ever tried a vinegar/salt/dish soap mix? It’s not per...

Couldn’t agree more—cement board is heavy and messy to cut, but I’ve never regretted using it. Green board just isn’t rated for constant wet areas, ev...