Building a Raised Bed Against a Brick Wall: Sod Removal & Soil Prep

For a 6-foot-wide raised bed along a brick wall in Houston: kill existing sod (bermudagrass needs herbicide + removal; fescue may smother under 6 inches). Don't use landscape fabric—it fails in 2–3 years as mulch turns to soil atop it, weeds root through, and removal tears fabric.

Instead: pre-emergent (Preen) + 3 inches hardwood mulch. For soil: order a premixed planting blend (30% sand, 30% compost, 30% native soil, 10% expanded shale/fertilizer/micros). Till 9–18 inches deep with native soil. Houston soil may need less sand. Call local soil yards for blends.