[13blackcats]

We are closing soon on a house that has a dirt backyard. We don't have the funds to landscape it for a year or 2. In the meantime, I'd hate for my kids & dogs (and wind) to be bringing all that dirt into the house. I know I don't want just rock back there. And I really, really hope that there wasn't bermuda grass back there that will come back to plague me.

Question is, what can I put back there that will last me a year or so, and not be a PITA to remove when the time comes? I was thinking a couple inches of wood mulch, but the someone told me that would bring termites and other critters. Not sure if that's true, but haven't had a chance to get to a landscape company to ask or get other ideas.

[NLVgal]

Fake grass or pea gravel

[FML157]

outdoor rug with a faux grass look. similiar to this
Ottomanson Evergreen Collection Green Artificial Grass Design Area Rug (6'7 x 9'3) - 17511337 - Overstock.com Shopping - Great Deals on 7x9 - 10x14 Rugs

[unf0rgiven6262]

Originally Posted by 13blackcats

We are closing soon on a house that has a dirt backyard. We don't have the funds to landscape it for a year or 2. In the meantime, I'd hate for my kids & dogs (and wind) to be bringing all that dirt into the house. I know I don't want just rock back there. And I really, really hope that there wasn't bermuda grass back there that will come back to plague me.

Question is, what can I put back there that will last me a year or so, and not be a PITA to remove when the time comes? I was thinking a couple inches of wood mulch, but the someone told me that would bring termites and other critters. Not sure if that's true, but haven't had a chance to get to a landscape company to ask or get other ideas.

Use cedar mulch. It repels insects. Some nice plants can be had pretty cheap too. I've got over a dozen drought tolerant non toxic plants in the backyard. Not a single one cost me more than $20. The vitex/chaste tree is great.

[13blackcats]

Thanks! I think I'll look at the cedar mulch. I worry that the pea gravel will be a PITA to get rid of (not part of the long-term plan) and the fake grass & outdoor rugs would be too much $$.

[LVAllen]

Originally Posted by unf0rgiven6262

Use cedar mulch. It repels insects. Some nice plants can be had pretty cheap too. I've got over a dozen drought tolerant non toxic plants in the backyard. Not a single one cost me more than $20. The vitex/chaste tree is great.

Not very well, it doesn't. I've got cedar mulch surrounding my peach tree. Ants, pillbugs, and other critters have zero problem with it. But I still plan on removing the gravel in the backyard and replacing it with more mulch. To me, it looks far, far better to have mulch and paving stones than ugly rocks.

[robr2]

Have you considered getting some annual rye grass seed and spreading it? It's a quick growing grass that will look good all winter and will then die next summer.

[13blackcats]

Originally Posted by robr2

Have you considered getting some annual rye grass seed and spreading it? It's a quick growing grass that will look good all winter and will then die next summer.

I haven't, I'll look into that thanks!

[NLVgal]

The dogs will drag in more mess with the cedar mulch than they will with the heavy clay soil, I'd bet.

My house was new construction, so of course dirt yard, and we didn't have the money for landscaping for the first couple of years. Other than the fine layer of dust which is pretty much endemic to Vegas anyway, I don't remember the kids or dogs tracking much dirt into the house.

That said, my soil was native clay. You expressed a worry about Bermuda grass. If you are moving into a home where someone may have amended the soil, you might get some tracking for sure. After I put in the landscaping, the dogs started loving to dig.

[13blackcats]

Originally Posted by NLVgal

The dogs will drag in more mess with the cedar mulch than they will with the heavy clay soil, I'd bet.

My house was new construction, so of course dirt yard, and we didn't have the money for landscaping for the first couple of years. Other than the fine layer of dust which is pretty much endemic to Vegas anyway, I don't remember the kids or dogs tracking much dirt into the house.

That said, my soil was native clay. You expressed a worry about Bermuda grass. If you are moving into a home where someone may have amended the soil, you might get some tracking for sure. After I put in the landscaping, the dogs started loving to dig.

Yes, my dog already loves to dig :P We're planning a largish dog run for them. The house we rented previous to this one had a dirt backyard where whatever had been there previously had died (like the house we're buying). The dirt that drifted into the house was AWFUL. And the dogs were always coated in it after being outside for a bit. My older boy has been to daycares & schools with playgrounds that used wood mulches. Also not fun. Little bits of wood all over the place