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!

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

We moved into a new build 7 years ago without landscaping. I did gravel and grass around the house. However all the grass close to the house failed to grow properly due to lack of water / sun, so I dug it out a couple of years later and replaced with pebbles and pavers. For the rest I've built a deck, and got a lawn and woodchipped area.

Also good to check the quality of the soil and if there's any debris. I found out they had left the old tennis court in small chunks just below the surface.

Drainage is important too indeed. I've put in some perforated pipes. Worked well for the first couple of years, seem to be blocked more now, so in winter it's very wet.

Fruit trees are cool too.

Hope this helps.

[–] grasshopper 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Very helpful, thank you! Sounds like you settled on the best solution; I'll take your learnings on board.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

One thing to add, for our wood chipped and pebbled areas, I should have put cardboard underneath to kill off the weeds/grass. Lots of weed coming up now.

Good luck!