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What is the conventional wisdom regarding ground covers around a home's foundation?
I've heard not to plant too close to the foundation. Makes sense for trees and larger plants, does this include grass?
Also I've heard that mulch isn't the best choice close to a foundation (reasons cited include moisture & termites) but when I look at different houses it seems like a lot of people do it. What's the story?
If not grass or mulch, is the best choice gravel? Does that have any gotchas?
Is there anything else I haven't thought of? (Well, maybe a moat...)
I pulled out all mulch and replaced with crushed rock. The mulch tended to retain moisture and neighborhood cats used it as a litter box when dry. Mulch naturally decomposes, which isn't something you typically want going on right next to your house, and definitely not near any wood siding. Places with bad termite issues like Florida you usually see a 2-3 ft border of rock around the foundation.
Tribe,
Another thing to think about is what you are going to do if you have to
clean your gutters, or have someone work around your house on the outside.
If you plant too close to the foundation of the home, you will either have to
remove shrubs or accept that the workmen are going to beat your shrubs up.
Painting, working on windows, roof repair or replacement, really could be anything.
I planted 3 Feet from my foundation.
That way there is room, and I don't mulch next to the foundation either.
It is unnoticeable from the street.
But termites are horrible here too, so I had no choice.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Many vines like Ivy can go beneath the foundation or through a vent screen and come up under the house. The roots of trees such as Ornamental Cherry and Aspen will go under the foundation and sprout growth under the house so be careful what you plant near the house. If you have wood siding, keep any organic mulch well below the bottom edge so that 4" or more of concrete is showing. Grass roots are not usually as deep, but I would still keep it 2' from the foundation. A good mulch that looks like bark but will not attract pests or rot is made of rubber (old tires) and comes in several colors. It's a good choice for near the house.
Rubber mulch is one of the worst things you can put next to your house, in terms of fire danger. Maybe only pine straw is more flammable? Rocks, gravel, landscaping pavers, etc are really the best. Or bare dirt.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,551 posts, read 81,085,957 times
Reputation: 57744
Quote:
Originally Posted by dr.frog
Rubber mulch is one of the worst things you can put next to your house, in terms of fire danger. Maybe only pine straw is more flammable? Rocks, gravel, landscaping pavers, etc are really the best. Or bare dirt.
Perhaps not a good choice for the dry grass areas in California, but here in Seattle area and many other places it's not a problem.
Perhaps not a good choice for the dry grass areas in California, but here in Seattle area and many other places it's not a problem.
I saw a mulch fire once (in wood chips).... it was probably caused by somebody tossing a cigarette on the ground as they entered the building. This was on Newbury Street in Boston, hardly a wildfire-prone area. That was in wood-chip mulch which just sort of smoldered and smoked. The shredded rubber mulches ignite more readily than wood and burn hot with higher flames.... not something I'd want right next to my house, no matter where it is.
I'm also in need of ideas! What can I put around my foundation other then plants or rock. I hate weeding, summer is to short here in Wisconsin to waste my weekends weeding. I plant all my plants in pots. I can't stand the rock cause all the tree crap gets in and makes it look like crap and the rocks attract hundreds of spiders (I live in the country side) Any suggestions? I also have a wood basement so I need to make sure no water collects around the foundation!
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