How to stop weeds coming from under the fence?

[chris97]

Hello!

I am in the process of updating my backyard.

I want to revamp the garden bed along the fenceline and was wondering about the best way to stop grass/weeds from outside the fence coming in.

At the moment there is some kind of sloped looking base (??) under the fence which doesnt look like a normal colorbond plinth which you can see in the first picture - if someone could tell me what that is that would help alot.

Should I install extra barriers to stop grass/weeds getting through? How deep should I dig the trench and what material would be best? I'm assuming a weedmat on the actual bed itself would also help out.

Thanks very much

Chris

 

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @chris97 

That sloped base is a colourbond plinth (I didnt know it either just had a squiz and looked at some pictures. I dont think you will be getting much weeds coming through that. (The one I saw in the pictures was 3 courses of sloped so maybe they are cut to size)

When you say "revamp" the garden edge along the driveway, do you have anything in particular in mind?

I fyou just want to stop weeds growing I can think of two ways to deal with it.

First

Dig out down to the bottom of the slab and then backfill with say white pebbles or something that wont rot down and convert to healthy dirt

Second

Dig out to the depth of a paver and a half, use gravel to fill a little and then run the pavers along teh edge to from more path/driveway type space. Fill the edhe with gravel or the white pebbles. You still will get weeds but nowhere near as many. Here is my project wher I had to cut some conrete but it shows the paver idea. Fixing water ingress issues in garage 

Dave

[EricL]

Hello @chris97 

It's wonderful that you've received excellent advice from @Dave-1. I totally agree with his recommendations regarding the use of pebbles. In regards to using weedmat, that too is a viable option. Please note that due to the size of the soil gap, I don't think it's a good idea to plant something in that area. If you are keen to put something in that spot, I propose a medium sized raised garden bed or potted plants.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[chris97]

Thanks Eric and Dave

To clarify theres 2 parts - in the first photo theres a strip of dirt between the fence and slab that the shed sits on. Weeds/grass comes in under teh colorbond sloped plinth.

In the second photo theres an existing garden bed thats a bit worn down with paver edging starting to lift/warp. The rosemary bush is in there currently. What minimum width is advisable for planting? 

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @chris97 

No minimun distance is advisable really, but for me id go the route of the width of a shovel so you can turn the soil. or maybe two times the width depending on the plants you want to grow? The Rosemary bush will crowd out other plants but taking the sunlight from them. So depending on what you want you could hard prune it back and then freshen the bed with some compost styled material.

Dave

[EricL]

Hi @chris97 

That's very sound advice from @Dave-1. Preferably the more space the better as any concrete impediments will serve as a barrier for the plant roots. You'll be able to tell if your plant is not compatible with the space as it will either grow poorly or not at all.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[chris97]

Hi Dave,

After I dig out some of the existing soil (Ill dig down to the bottom of the plinth) would you recommend cardboard or weedmat at the base before topping with mulch and plants?

Im hoping to sit whatever barrier flush to the base of the plinth to eliminate excess weeds but unsure if I might be trapping moisture (if thats an issue?)

thankyou

Chris

[EricL]

Hi @chris97 

I suggest using weedmat as it will last longer than cardboard. Let me tag @Dave-1 to make them aware of your question. Please keep in mind that eventually the weedmat will wear out and weeds will start to grow again. Once that happens you just need to dig out the old weedmat and replace it with a new one.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @chris97 

I wouldnt dig deeper then the depth of the shovel from the top of the garden bed. The plants wont use the area and if they get big enough they wont care.

I wouldnt line the bottom of the garden area with anything. I personally dont like weedmats. If its plastic then all your doing is adding that to your garden as it breaks down, if its the other material (its a cloth) then it also breaks down and still weeds grow. As your garden bed is deep no weeds will start that deep and the plinth actually stops anything coming through so digging down to the base of it may give more chance for something to come through.

I would suggest to turn the soil but no deeper then the shovel blade, add a decent compost. Plant it out and then mulch with bark chips or other mulch to a depth of 80mm at least. That has the best chance of not allowing weeds to start. Then once a week walk by and pluck any new suspect growth

Dave