How to best use dwarf mondo grass in a stepping stone path?
October 1, 2018 9:22 AM Subscribe
My current front yard path is terrible. After two years of weeding and barefoot pain I am replacing the crushed seashells with stepping stones surrounded by... something. Perhaps dwarf mondo grass. Perhaps nice landscaping stones/rock/aggregate. Can you advise?
Facts:
We live in a coastal (but not THE beach itself) 9a or 8b zone. The roughly 3 foot wide path cuts in a straight line for 20 feet through a zoysia lawn that is fairly well in hand regarding weeds/health. The current path was there when we bought the home a couple of years ago and seems to be crushed seashell/coquina not unlike this. I have removed one path of the same type from the property and I'd say it's about 1 and 1/2 inch thick with mostly deteriorated landscaping cloth underneath it.
Usage:
We (myself, and two little Elds) go barefoot a lot. I mean, a lot. And even my far, far above average tough feet struggle with the current path. Plus the weeds are a constant battle, doubly so since I don't use weed killer/Roundup lest my pets/kids get exposed (and for other reasons).
Current status:
I've laid some trial-balloon-but-maybe-permanent stepping stones (with edge thingies on all 4 sides of each stone) from the door to the gate along the length of the path and the wife and I think they look great and are functioning as intended. We are 95% set on going with these as they work and are in place and we like them.
Question:
We haven't decided on how to fill the blank spaces that remain in the path. Either option, unless we just let the lawn take over but I don't like that idea so much, would have to fill the remaining areas of the path's old footprint not taken up by the stepping stones that I laid over the weekend. I also don't like mulch since that seems like something that needs upkeep/replacement and that's a downside for me.
Option A) dwarf mondo grass - I can get small flat containers for $1.50 each at the local nursery and it sounds like spacing them out every 3 to 4 inches is the ideal spacing. I haven't done the math but this seems rather affordable, doubly so if I can split each pot/plant into 2 (or 4 !!!) for maximum coverage/dollar. Downside is that I will have to remove/remediate the existing landscaping fabric and maintain the path (read: pull weeds) for the years it will take the mondo to fill in the gaps. I'm also concerned that the lawn will attempt to kill/strangle the mondo grass along the way (or forever!).
Option B) nice rock - priced it and I'd probably need nearly a half ton or so of rock. local prices would put that at between $300 and $500. Far more than I'd like to pay but I think the cheaper option (plain old river rock) would look not great. I'd lay new cloth underneath and hope that would keep weeds down to nearly zero. Upside it'd be done and done instead of waiting a few years.
Anyone have any thoughts or experience on this sort of thing? I'll try to follow up in the comments if you have any questions.
Facts:
We live in a coastal (but not THE beach itself) 9a or 8b zone. The roughly 3 foot wide path cuts in a straight line for 20 feet through a zoysia lawn that is fairly well in hand regarding weeds/health. The current path was there when we bought the home a couple of years ago and seems to be crushed seashell/coquina not unlike this. I have removed one path of the same type from the property and I'd say it's about 1 and 1/2 inch thick with mostly deteriorated landscaping cloth underneath it.
Usage:
We (myself, and two little Elds) go barefoot a lot. I mean, a lot. And even my far, far above average tough feet struggle with the current path. Plus the weeds are a constant battle, doubly so since I don't use weed killer/Roundup lest my pets/kids get exposed (and for other reasons).
Current status:
I've laid some trial-balloon-but-maybe-permanent stepping stones (with edge thingies on all 4 sides of each stone) from the door to the gate along the length of the path and the wife and I think they look great and are functioning as intended. We are 95% set on going with these as they work and are in place and we like them.
Question:
We haven't decided on how to fill the blank spaces that remain in the path. Either option, unless we just let the lawn take over but I don't like that idea so much, would have to fill the remaining areas of the path's old footprint not taken up by the stepping stones that I laid over the weekend. I also don't like mulch since that seems like something that needs upkeep/replacement and that's a downside for me.
Option A) dwarf mondo grass - I can get small flat containers for $1.50 each at the local nursery and it sounds like spacing them out every 3 to 4 inches is the ideal spacing. I haven't done the math but this seems rather affordable, doubly so if I can split each pot/plant into 2 (or 4 !!!) for maximum coverage/dollar. Downside is that I will have to remove/remediate the existing landscaping fabric and maintain the path (read: pull weeds) for the years it will take the mondo to fill in the gaps. I'm also concerned that the lawn will attempt to kill/strangle the mondo grass along the way (or forever!).
Option B) nice rock - priced it and I'd probably need nearly a half ton or so of rock. local prices would put that at between $300 and $500. Far more than I'd like to pay but I think the cheaper option (plain old river rock) would look not great. I'd lay new cloth underneath and hope that would keep weeds down to nearly zero. Upside it'd be done and done instead of waiting a few years.
Anyone have any thoughts or experience on this sort of thing? I'll try to follow up in the comments if you have any questions.
Response by poster: Ah, fair point. Forgot to mention that the current height of the stepping stones is probably about 2 inches above ground level so either I backfill and then plant dwarf mondo or dig out the landscaping cloth then plant as is. So, figure either option as valid w/r/t height of mondo if that route (pun not intended) is chosen.
posted by RolandOfEld at 9:41 AM on October 1, 2018
posted by RolandOfEld at 9:41 AM on October 1, 2018
Response by poster: Dichondra!
That link says not good for heavy traffic areas. Whereas I hope most folks will use the stones I can't depend on the youngsters in the family/neighborhood to honor that. Plus it also happens to specifically mention that it has problems with broadleaf weeds. Our lawn does have some dollarweed problems and I think that falls into same camp.
I'll look into it more though, it does look nice and soft.
posted by RolandOfEld at 9:45 AM on October 1, 2018
That link says not good for heavy traffic areas. Whereas I hope most folks will use the stones I can't depend on the youngsters in the family/neighborhood to honor that. Plus it also happens to specifically mention that it has problems with broadleaf weeds. Our lawn does have some dollarweed problems and I think that falls into same camp.
I'll look into it more though, it does look nice and soft.
posted by RolandOfEld at 9:45 AM on October 1, 2018
Moss is zero maintenance and a piece of piss to pour between the slabs.
posted by DarlingBri at 9:48 AM on October 1, 2018
posted by DarlingBri at 9:48 AM on October 1, 2018
Response by poster: I tried to get moss to grow on a wall before and had zero luck. That's a cute idea though.
I should have mentioned that this path is about half full sun and half dappled shade to full sun (due to a magnolia tree and an arbor that is soon to be covered in muscadine grape vines).
posted by RolandOfEld at 9:56 AM on October 1, 2018
I should have mentioned that this path is about half full sun and half dappled shade to full sun (due to a magnolia tree and an arbor that is soon to be covered in muscadine grape vines).
posted by RolandOfEld at 9:56 AM on October 1, 2018
If you end up including some thyme, which is mint family, well, that's going to make your feet smell pretty after you've been wandering around on it.
Whatever you end up getting, can I suggest doing it by seeding if available? It's a lot of fun, gets better coverage sooner (if you can keep the kids off it), and it costs less!
posted by aniola at 10:17 AM on October 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
Whatever you end up getting, can I suggest doing it by seeding if available? It's a lot of fun, gets better coverage sooner (if you can keep the kids off it), and it costs less!
posted by aniola at 10:17 AM on October 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
Thyme is terrific, but slow-growing. If you have patience, it would love your planting conditions. (Golden creeping thyme variety; thyme overview.)
Portulaca, soapwort; more here.
For browsing: Under A Foot Plant Company
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:23 AM on October 1, 2018
Portulaca, soapwort; more here.
For browsing: Under A Foot Plant Company
posted by Iris Gambol at 10:23 AM on October 1, 2018
May I ask--have you contacted your state's nearest extension service to see what they have to say about groundcover that's suitable for your site?
posted by MonkeyToes at 10:26 AM on October 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by MonkeyToes at 10:26 AM on October 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
I tried to get moss to grow on a wall before and had zero luck. That's a cute idea though.
It's easier as groundcover. You literally make a buttermilk and moss shake in a blender and pour it on the ground where you want it to grow. Alternatively, just plant clover or some other tiny ground cover you never need to clip, mow or weed.
posted by DarlingBri at 10:40 AM on October 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
It's easier as groundcover. You literally make a buttermilk and moss shake in a blender and pour it on the ground where you want it to grow. Alternatively, just plant clover or some other tiny ground cover you never need to clip, mow or weed.
posted by DarlingBri at 10:40 AM on October 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
I live in Portland and my thyme from seed grew in fast. Less than a year and it's rockin' the green roof.
Stepables has lots of options.
posted by aniola at 10:58 AM on October 1, 2018 [2 favorites]
Stepables has lots of options.
posted by aniola at 10:58 AM on October 1, 2018 [2 favorites]
Mondo grass is also a very slow grower and in my opinion it doesn't hold up well to foot traffic (about the same as st augustine grass). If you want it to be full in a year then you will have to plant each tuft within an inch or so of the others.
posted by The_Vegetables at 11:31 AM on October 1, 2018
posted by The_Vegetables at 11:31 AM on October 1, 2018
Thyme, chamomile, or other fragrant plants would be quite nice.
posted by theora55 at 12:50 PM on October 1, 2018
posted by theora55 at 12:50 PM on October 1, 2018
Response by poster: I appreciate all the help (doubly so for the link to stepables). So the rock/hardscaping is a loser idea huh? Can't say as I can argue a whole lot.
posted by RolandOfEld at 1:08 PM on October 1, 2018
posted by RolandOfEld at 1:08 PM on October 1, 2018
I'm going to use red thyme on mine, but wooly thyme is another great option. Basically go to your garden store and look for the "Stepables" brand or things marked "ground cover for walking on". If they only have them in 4-inch pots, ask customer service if it is available to order in plugs.
posted by matildaben at 1:10 PM on October 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by matildaben at 1:10 PM on October 1, 2018 [1 favorite]
Thyme also flowers and attracts bees, which may not be ideal for bare feet. You'd have to mow to avoid that scenario. Weeds will continue to be an issue even if the groundcover is established and out-competes some of the weeds. If you have a neighborhood source of weed seeds, you'll have to continue to deal with it for years to come, though it'll probably be less severe than it is now.
I'd strongly suggest you revisit hardscaping. It's more front-end work, but will last for years. A combination of stones for the walkway along with decomposed granite would last for many years and would also deter weeds very, very effectively if installed properly. Landscape fabric often isn't enough to really deter weeds long-term. It's the very compacted sand layer and the compacted decomposed granite layer on top of it that really create a hostile environment for weeds.
posted by quince at 3:29 PM on October 1, 2018
I'd strongly suggest you revisit hardscaping. It's more front-end work, but will last for years. A combination of stones for the walkway along with decomposed granite would last for many years and would also deter weeds very, very effectively if installed properly. Landscape fabric often isn't enough to really deter weeds long-term. It's the very compacted sand layer and the compacted decomposed granite layer on top of it that really create a hostile environment for weeds.
posted by quince at 3:29 PM on October 1, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by humboldt32 at 9:34 AM on October 1, 2018