Question
Hello! I'm in the Chicago area. We're planting several shrubs around the perimeter of our yard. My husband wants to pull the grass about 2 feet around each bush to mulch.  I heard it's easier to leave the grass, and just mulch a little around the bushes.  What do you think?

Answer
Dear Kimberly

Thank you for your question.

You husband has the right idea!  

Not only will the grass be difficult to keep trimmed around the shrubs it will also compete with the plants for water and nutrients.

In fact, to make trimming the grass easier I would take out all the grass, leaving the shrubs in a 'border' and creating a nice neat edge.  Then mulch with your perferred material to a depth of about 2 inches to hold in moisture and keep down weeds.  If the border is dry water it well before mulching.  

Shredded bark gives a super-smart appearance to the border, or you could use well rotted garden compost.