In landscaping-plastic debate, the answer is not clear

Clay Thompson

Today’s question: My husband and I are having a disagreement over yard issues. We have weeds and grass coming up through our gravel. Years ago, he put down clear plastic in areas of the yard. I think that black plastic works better than clear because it doesn’t allow any grass or weeds to get light. I said I would write to you and he said, “Sure, run to Daddy Clay for your answer.” Which plastic works better, clear or

Daddy Clay? Egad. Please — puhleeze — tell he didn’t really say that.

This lady also said she wrote to me once before, although I don’t remember it. It seems to have been about her husband’s habit of putting the dog poop in the recycle barrel, which of course, he shouldn’t have been doing. She said she “bopped him upside the head” about that. Maybe that’s why he is so snarky.

Now I could be wrong — imagine that — but I’m pretty sure covering the ground with sheets of black plastic before putting down rocks is the method preferred by most landscapers.

That’s what I did when I replaced my ratty grass lawn with rocks. Well, I didn’t actually do it myself — Are you nuts? — but the guys I hired used black.

I think black is preferred for the reasons you cited. However, no matter what color you use, you’re probably going to get grass or weeds popping up anyway, through tears or spaces between the sheets.

I have heard of folks using clear plastic, but they first put down a very thick layer of newspapers, excluding the glossy color supplements.