Master Gardener: Use landscape fabric, cardboard to cover lawn to create new yard

Q. This drought has me thinking about replacing my lawn with water-wise plantings. Can you help me get started?

A. First, mow the turf as low as you can and remove or cut down all other plantings.

If you choose to replace it with a desert motif, cover the space with landscape fabric (not black plastic) and place gravel, boulders, rocks for a dry stream bed, etc. over it immediately. If you plan a cottage garden or a drought tolerant Mediterranean and native species landscape, try sheet mulching. It suppresses weeds and saves labor by composting them in place, improves the soils structure, moisture and nutrient retaining capacity, and will eventually improve plant vigor and health, often leading to improved pest and disease resistance.

Once youve mowed and cleared the area of plantings, lay down a permeable weed barrier cardboard, several layers of newspaper, burlaps bags or discarded natural fiber carpets (not nylon, and again, dont use black plastic). Overlap so you cover the area thoroughly, then wet to hold the barrier in place. Then layer compost and mulch on top chipped plant debris or prunings, leaves or straw weed free and 2 inches to 5 inches deep. You can add rougher organic material on top of that. Cut holes in the cardboard and plant directly into these. The area around them will gradually turn to soil. Airborne weed seeds will settle on the mulch, so some weeding will be necessary. Keep the material at least 6 inches away from trunks and stems and use wire mesh to protect from rodents as needed.

The Shasta Master Gardener Program can be reached by phone, 242-2219, or email mastergardeners@shastacollege.edu.

Original post:
Master Gardener: Use landscape fabric, cardboard to cover lawn to create new yard