How to landscape near perimeter of house?

[fifix]

Hi all,

I’m looking for advice on landscaping near perimeter of my house.
House is on concrete stumps.

Do I need to keep soil a certain distance away from subfloor so there’s enough ventilation?
I’ve noticed there are some gaps in soil (circled in red in photo) where it drops right into house foundations.
Do I fill these gaps?

Also does soil need to be sloped away from house?

Lastly, are plants like ‘snow maiden’ ok to plant close to house?

Thanks so much

[MitchellMc]

Hi @fifix,

You might like to consider adding some plastic garden edging between those lower boards and the soil. It’s never a good idea to have soil sitting up against timber, as it can lead to moisture issues, rotting, and even attract pests. The edging will also help prevent soil from migrating under the boards and keep everything looking neat.

It’s important to maintain airflow around the subfloor, especially since your house is on stumps. Ideally, the soil should be kept at least 150mm below the bearers or any ventilation vents to ensure good airflow and avoid dampness building up under the home.

The soil should definitely be sloped away from the house to help prevent water pooling near the foundations. A gentle fall of about 1:20 (or 50mm over a metre) is usually enough.

Regarding planting snow maiden close to the house, it should be fine as long as you allow a bit of space—around 500mm—for growth, airflow, and access. Just keep in mind that even compact plants can become quite dense over time, so it’s best to give them a little breathing room.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[fifix]

Thanks so much Mitchell, really helpful advice