Kia ora e te Lemmy whānau!
We’ve just moved into a new build, which hasn’t been landscaped, and I’m at a loss for what to do immediately next to the external walls.
I’ve seen a few options around town, but I haven’t found a good resource for actual recommendations. I’ve seen:
- river stones/gravel surrounding the foundation for ~30 cm
- plants against the walls (e.g. griselinia, lancewood
- driveway (concrete/asphalt)
I know I need to direct drainage away from the foundation, but can I plant grass (or similar plants) right next to the walls? Is there a standard rulebook I can refer to?
Any help would be appreciated!
I’d recommend NOT planting too close to walls. Plants will grow and spread, and could potentially cling to walls causing an ongoing maintenance issue. Roots could also be an issue as they grow. Small plants look nice initially, but can be a menace in the end. Here’s looking at you Buddliah!!! I wouldn’t plant grass that close to the house walls, difficult to keep tidy.
I like the stone/gravel surround idea. Where we are there are suppliers who have a big range of different coloured/shape/size stones.
Buddliah, ahaha, I know the pain! Thanks for the input, seems like stones are a good option.
My one concern is weeds… I’m hesitant to use weed mat but maybe it’s worth it for this kind of long-term landscaping.
Have used weed mat at ours. Weeds will still grow in it, but they are easy to pull out as the roots can’t establish a firm grip. Depending where you are and the climate, you may need to spray to keep weeds down. Not ideal I know, but the recent warmer, and very wet winters, have made the drive and paths at our place a nightmare to control.
There are lots of simple methods for weed control with little environmental impact. Boiling water works well for small areas, as does salt if you really don’t want anything growing, and weed wands (a flame thing) are also pretty effective.