kid friendly ground cover or mulch?

6 years ago

I took out the Asian jasmine in the area circled because my whole yard was already covered in it and I wanted more walking space for my son since it is limited with the jasmine.

What ground cover or mulch can I put here that will look good, be somewhat low maintenance, and possibly steppable? I thought about decomposed granite mixed with wood mulch for a natural look but I don’t think it’s steppable. Perhaps I can add stones and boulders on top of that? The trees nearby are cedar elms which were overpruned and then lost a lot of branches in last year’s storms so I don’t warm to harm their roots either. I don’t really plan to plant plants here...maybe some perennials here and there. It is full west sun.

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Comments (4)

armoured
6 years ago
Whatever wood or bark mulch is available in your area. I understand you do not want to plant there but if you change your mind down the road, removing gravel or stone will be a pain. Should also be fine for your nearby trees etc. Get as small or fine as you want for comfort. In my experience the bark mulch is softer for feet.
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Sand would make it into a little private beach however if there are any unconfined house cats around they would surely come and turn it into a littler box. Larger sized stone products would not be such an attraction to them but also no fun to sit or walk on, prone to being picked up and thrown by a small child.

Otherwise outlets in my area sell what are called cedar play chips for such purposes. These are clean, aromatic and durable (in my climate). And not dusty - finely ground tree bark products I would expect to be full of slivers, stick to clothing and even be prone to being inhaled by a young kid playing in it. As in sitting on it, picking it up in their hands and so on.

Also cats will get into bark mulches as well, if they are at all fine in texture and have become dry enough to suit them.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
The area circled in red is the area in question? If so, I'd have to wonder as to the need to have your child be able to play or walk through a planting bed when there seems to be plenty of lawn space that can be used for this purpose....or is that all jasmine? In that case, I'd remove that and replace with a more kid-friendly surface like a lawn. And leave the planting bed as a planting bed :-)
Veronica Hardgrave
Original Author
6 years ago
Gardengal48, I guess I feel I should be able to do whatever I’d like with my bed since it’s my property and having an exploring area is what best suits my family. The other area is jasmine and we can’t just rip it all out although we do plan to add either some walking stones or a trail within it. I don’t want to deal with a lawn bc of the mowing and it’s watering needs. I’m in Dallas zone 8a.

This article might give you some perspective: https://www.gardenrant.com/2013/08/want-your-kids-to-play-outside-rip-out-the-lawn.html

We are ab outdoorsy family with kids, cousins, and young kids in the neighborhood frequently visit us.

Thanks for the other suggestions!