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What To Put Around Foundation Of House

by Lily Morgen
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flower beds

Creating suitable landscaping around your home’s foundation can do wonders to improve your home’s curb appeal. By adding color, texture, and greenery, you can turn a dull foundation into a beautiful and inviting part of your home.

Meanwhile, it is a good way to protect your home’s foundation. If you ask what to put around the foundation of a house? 

The answer is simple: flower beds, gravel bed, rock border, edging, a deck or porch, moisture wrap, trees, shrubs, swales, and a gutter system. These are all great foundation landscaping ideas.

1. Flower Beds

Flower beds are the most popular way to dress up a home’s foundation. They provide color and life to an area that is often lacking both. 

Flower beds can be created with a wide variety of flowers, plants, and shrubs. Be sure to choose plants that will do well in the amount of sun or shade that your foundation receives. If you are not sure which plants will work best, ask your local nursery or gardening center for help.

To get started, mark out the area where you would like your flower bed to be. Then, using a spade or shovel, dig out the area to a depth of six to eight inches. Next, add a layer of organic matter, such as compost or manure. This will help improve the drainage and fertility of the soil. Finally, add your plants and mulch around them to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

2. Gravel Beds

Gravel beds are another option for landscaping around a home’s foundation. They are easy to care for and can provide a clean, finished look. Gravel beds can be created with a variety of different sizes and colors of gravel.

Gravel beds are usually placed in areas that do not receive a lot of foot traffic. To create a gravel bed, first mark out the area where you would like it to be. Then, using a spade or shovel, dig out the area to a depth of six to eight inches. Next, add a layer of weed fabric to help prevent weeds from growing up through the gravel. Finally, add your gravel and level it out.

3. Rock Border

A rock border adds texture and interest to your foundation landscaping. Rock borders can be built with a variety of different sizes and colors of rocks.

Rock Border is always placed in areas that are not going to be mowed. It can be installed by following these steps:

  • Use a spade or shovel to dig out the area where you would like the rock border to be. The depth of the hole will depend on the size of the rocks you are using.
  • Add a layer of sand to help level out the rocks.
  • Add your rocks and fill in any gaps with more sand.

4. Edging

Edging creates clean, defined lines in your foundation landscaping. It can be made from a variety of materials, such as stone, brick, metal, or plastic.

Edging is most often used around flower beds and gravel beds. It is installed by digging a trench around the perimeter of the area you want to edge. The depth of the trench will depend on the height of the edging material you are using. Next, add your edging material and level it out. Then, fill in any gaps with soil or sand.

5. Deck or Porch

Adding a deck or porch to your home’s foundation can provide a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It can also add value to your home.

When planning to add a deck or porch to your home, be sure to check with your local building codes to ensure that it meets all safety requirements. 

Once you have your deck or porch built, be sure to add some foundation landscaping around it to help tie it into the rest of your home’s exterior.

6. Moisture Wrap

You can protect your home’s foundation from water damage by a moisture wrap. Moisture wraps are made from a variety of materials, such as plastic, rubber, or asphalt-impregnated felt.

Moisture wraps are installed by attaching them to the foundation with nails or staples. Be sure to overlap the seams of the moisture wrap by at least six inches to create a watertight seal. 

Also, be sure to extend the moisture wrap up onto the siding of your home by at least two feet. This will help prevent water from seeping behind the wrap and damaging your home’s foundation.

7. A Gutter System

Gutters help protect the foundation of your home from water damage. They are installed along your roof’s eaves to collect rainwater as it falls. The water is then directed away from your house via a downspout system.

Gutters are available in a variety of materials, such as aluminum, vinyl, and steel. They are also available in a variety of colors to match the exterior of your home. When installing gutters, be sure to use a professional installer to ensure that they are properly installed and sealed.

8. Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs are a great way to add color, texture, and interest to your foundation landscaping. They can also provide privacy and help reduce noise levels.

When selecting trees and shrubs for your foundation landscaping, be sure to choose varieties that are appropriate for the climate in your area. Also, be sure to choose varieties that are not too large for the space you have available. 

Once you have selected the trees and shrubs you would like to use, be sure to plant them in an area that has well-drained soil and full sun.

9. Swales

A swale helps control water runoff and prevent soil erosion. Swales are created by digging a trench in the ground and lining it with rocks or other materials. The trench is then filled with plants that have deep roots, such as grasses or shrubs.

Swales are most often used on sloped areas of land. They are installed by digging a trench that is at least two feet wide and two feet deep. The trench is then lined with rocks or other materials and filled with plants. Be sure to water the plants regularly to help them establish their roots in the soil.

Final Thought

Putting something around your house’s foundation is a great idea, but what to choose? Each option has benefits, so it really comes down to personal preference. Weigh the pros and cons of each before making your decision. 

Maintaining a good strong and healthy foundation requires understanding your home’s gradient and knowing how to keep water flowing away from your home.

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