Question
We had a professional nursery desing a landscaping plan for us, but now helpful relatives are calling into question just how high up the foundation we can pile dirt.  We have a newer home (199) with a brick exterior. Currently the grass goes right up to the house.  Can we pile another 4 inches of dirt against the house without causes issues?  Or do we have to dig out the clay and rock and then fill in with dirt?

Thanks

Answer
why are you digging out or adding dirt??? are you trying to improve drainage away from the house or just adding planting beds?? to make beds you can just spray roundup a week or two ahead of planting over the lawn area you want to plant ornamentals in. no need to remove the dead grass. make some berms(raised mounds of topsoil). plant ornamentals. lay 2-3 layers of newspaper(a cheap 1sr year weed control mat) down over the bed areas, and then add 2-4" of mulch. follow up w/roundUp weed control and hand pulling of larger weeds on a monthly basis.
your relatives are probably concerned about termites getting into your house if you add dirt above the termite proofing material. that depends on where the termite barrier is on the foundation. ask the landscape design person about that. normally adding 2-4" of topsoil will not harm your house.
no need to dig out the clay and rock. when you plant the ornamentals just mix some good compost material(peat moss, peat humus, topsoil, etc.) in w/the dirt before planting. after planting fertilize w/espoma products(hollytone for evergreens, etc)by spreading a cup over the finished planted area. check things out at your local garden center/nursery before yopu start. they should answer all your questions if you buy some of your products there.

please rate my answer to you on the allexperts.com site. good luck w/the relatives.
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