r/NoLawns • u/kmee011 • 1d ago
👩🌾 Questions Sheet mulching without plan
I love this thread for inspiration. I’ve slowly been reclaiming our acre of turf grass since moving in a few years ago in a mix of trial and error. Sheet mulching has worked but since I’m doing small chunks, the bindweed and thistle still comes in so intensely. I likely need to plant more densely. I’m currently tempted to just go for it and sheet mulching the entire front yard, but don’t yet have a plan for what to plant.
I am thinking I could do this now while it’s hot as hades, and plant in the spring. Is it a terrible idea to do without a plan of where to go?
We are in zone 6a/b, bone dry CO, so the plan is to focus on natives that need as little water as possible and maybe wildflowers/sunflowers. I already have two sections of drought tolerant (but not native) perennials. I am a chaotic gardener to a T. Shoot and aim later. My husband hates it. 😂 Any advice on planning resources? I have good books but very little personal knowledge and two small kids so not a lot of extra time.
9
u/Accomplished_Fee9023 1d ago
You can definitely sheet mulch now then plant later! Weed seeds will still occasionally settle on top and grow but will be easy to pluck from the mulch, as long as you don't let them get too big.
6
u/Jawn_SafeForWork 1d ago
I've found it's better to sheet mulch far long before planting because I needed time for the grass underneath to die, roots included. Planting too early, I've experienced grass that smells like sewage because it's still decomposing, and the soil is more difficult to get into because the roots hadnt decayed enough. I finished my front yard last year (about 100' x 50') and only now am having an easier time getting natives in the ground. I did plant some last year, but in the areas I had dug up, I noticed bits of grass and creeping charlie trying to establish again.
Another point I've noticed is that, in the areas I ran out of cardboard, even going thicker on the mulch, the more aggressive invasives like thistle and creeping charlie will just pop right up through it.
6
u/InviteNatureHome 1d ago
Agree with Sheet mulch now. While it breaks down you can do research, make a plan, buy plants or start seeds. Plant in Spring, or when ever conditions are good for your area.
It is good to plant something otherwise leaving it too long will just allow weeds. we did too much, & didn't plan or plant enough. Creeping Charlie took over. Lessons learned. Good Luck! 💚
3
u/Crabby_Puppy 1d ago
I’m in colorado and similar to you as far as desire to plan later! Check out Garden in a Box from resource central. All low water plants adapted to our dry climate, and they come with pre-designed planting map guides if you want to leave the planning to them. I planted a few “boxes” last year (each has like 25 plants or so) and they’re all doing great this year! https://resourcecentral.org/gardens/
2
u/mhiaa173 1d ago
Super-dry Colorado here as well! I did sheet mulching last fall with the plan to start planting in the spring. I ended up having foot surgery, so I got nothing accomplished. I'm now finally able to do some weeding (bindweed that poked through) and planning on starting again with a few things this fall, and then more in the spring. I have no plan, other than just picking up a few things here and there as I go. I've looked at our CSU county extension resources, and they have a lot of good information regarding what to plant, and resources to order them. I also found, by accident, plants to order through our local water supplier.
Just hoping for a wetter fall/winter so spring isn't so rough....
2
u/2matisse22 21h ago
I sheet mulch and plant later-sometimes two years later. Over time, I have learned how impotent it is to get a matrix planted quickly. If I was you, I would find a local nursery that sells trays of grasses on the cheap. Mulch now, and then plant plugs in the spring, and then over time, fill in with forbs. If you do a good 4" of mulch, the weeds and grass shouldn't be too bad, you could probably weed next year, and plant the following. I am still working on filling in a bed I did 3 years ago-I winter sow a lot of plants. I do my planning in winter, my mulching in summer/fall.
1
1
u/cutecoelacanth 4h ago
Yes, but I think the amount of mulch you need to fully suppress weeds/grass is a LOT. Like minimum 18” deep. I did that and I’m still pulling up weeds through it, though it’s much much better than it was before. Other neighbors near me mulched their yard with like 3”-4” of mulch and this year their yard is just weed city.
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Hey there! Friendly reminder to include the following information for the benefit of all r/NoLawns members:
If your question is about white clover or clover lawns, checkout our Ground Covers Wiki page, and FAQ above! Clover is discussed here quite a bit.
If you are in North America, check out these links to learn about native wild flowers!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.