I have a large planter placed in a planting bed with a bird feeding pole that comes up through the planter. Looks nice but not well thought out. The seed falls into and around the planter. Of course it molds and cakes on the soil both in and around the planter. Cleaning around the plants in the planter is difficult at best and that on the ground, while easier, is not great either.

What do think if I were to put two layers of ground cloth under and around the planter. Seed would fall on it, water could drain through, I could just sweep up the fallen seed, and it would not lend to reflective heat as placing stone slabs would.

As for the planter, I could take the pole out and place it just behind the planter then maybe put one layer of ground cloth or fine screening on top of the soil in the planter before cutting holes into it then replace plants.

Your thoughts?