Sheet mulching in North Carolina?

[OneGrassRoot]

We can't grow grass in half of our backyard due to large tree canopies, and no shade-tolerant seeds have worked. So, I'd like to come up with an inexpensive alternative that will prevent the constant mud.

I just saw a video about sheet mulching where they lay down a layer of cardboard and put wood chip mulch over it. It was for California, however; not sure if the climate matters? The humidity and rainy times here does make me worry about mold and such. I did a layer of hay one year as a quick way to cover the mud and that was a mess...lol.

I know people do sheet mulch with the intention of planting in that area eventually but I'm really just looking for something that can cover the mud, help stop erosion (the yard has a slight slope) and the area can be used for children to play on.

Thanks!

[yellowdogintexas]

1. shade loving plants from a greenhouse might work,

like hostas, elephant ears, caladiums. Seeds will definitely wash away but well rooted plants should stay put. They will also help keep the soil in place. Hostas should winter over if your elevation is not too cold in winter. Elephant ears are so large they can easily be dug up and winter over in the garage then replanted.
!
SInce you want children to be able to play there, how about smooth pebble stones? I have sheet mulched a garden but not a playspace.

LOL back in the 50s, we would just turn it into a mudpie factory! My grandmother had a little corner which was too shady for anything to grow. We kept it that way by hosing it down and making all sorts of cool mud delights. She had a concrete block wall that held it in and we sat on that instead of in the mud.

[OneGrassRoot]

6. LOL!

I wouldn’t mind a little section used for that but it’s way too big for the whole thing to be a mud pie factory. lol. Thanks for the suggestions!

[dweller]

2. My neighbor uses wood chips

But I think it’s to stop the grass from growing … she has about 1/2 her yard covered at this point. I don’t know how long it will last as she’s out there with a battery powered string trimmer on whatever grass pops up

In NC



✌🏻

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Yeah, wood chips are the medium...

I’d use. Not even weeds really grow in the areas in question. lol

[Tetrachloride]

3. sedum ? it may be sparse but its easy to get

for free.

hostas ?

[OneGrassRoot]

8. I'd never heard of that.

Thx!

[Tetrachloride]

14. sedum leaves will vary in size a lot.

drought resistant, easy to rip out and transplant. grows well between rocks. in a sense, makes its own mulch / soil over time.

[SheltieLover]

4. Plant ground cover?

[OneGrassRoot]

12. So many greats ideas...

suggested. I’m hopeful and inspired! Thx!

[SheltieLover]

15. Yw!

[unc70]

5. Consider using moss

[OneGrassRoot]

11. What a great idea!

That’s why I came here. Thanks!

[Botany]

9. Reconstruct a forest floor.

Let the leaf litter accumulate, plant native forest floor plants, shrubs, and under story trees (dog woods & Red Bud),
let some downed logs stay on the ground. Build some pathways that are slightly above grade level too. Remove
non native plants. This will take time but it is worth it. Sequester that CO2, give fireflies a place to grow up,
get after the spring ephemeral wildflowers, and ferns.

[OneGrassRoot]

10. Oooooh....

I love this idea! Thank you!

[Botany]

13. This will take time but it is well worth it.

Stay away from non native plants and ground covers (the devil) and remove invasive plants too.
The leaf litter is your friend.