Revamping Foundation Plantings: Removing Plastic, Grading Soil, and Choosing Mulch

Remove the Black Plastic

Landscape fabric or plastic under wood chips creates a hydrophobic layer, starves soil of oxygen, and eventually surfaces as brittle litter. Strip it all out—tedious but essential.

Grade Soil Away from the Foundation

Add soil to create a gentle slope (6-inch drop over 10 feet) directing water away from the house. Use bagged topsoil for small areas; bulk loam for larger jobs. Never cover weep holes, vents, or wood siding.

Mulch Selection

Wood chips and bark consume nitrogen as they decompose, robbing plants. Compost is superior: it suppresses weeds, retains moisture, adds nutrients, and improves soil structure. If you prefer the look of bark, apply a balanced fertilizer at planting.

Planting

Choose plants sized for the space at maturity. Group by water needs. Water deeply after planting and mulch with 2–3 inches of compost.