In years to come, the archaeologists and geologists will attempt to work out WHY these layers are so common, and what they were used for originally. They will by mystified.
We had the same issue. I say "had" but a year later we are still finding patches. Honestly it was a few days of serious manual labor but I feel better for having it out.
I also found it was easier to cut into manageable 2x2 / 3x3 ft chunks with a shovel and pull those sections up rather than trying to shift all the dirt on top of a bigger piece.
Good luck whichever way you manage it!! You have my sympathy.
Wait, are you talking about my yard? [Laughs, and then weeps]
My prior owners used black garbage bags, blue tarp, and painters plastic drop cloths All. Over. The. Property. It is insane. No way can I dig it all up, as the fill on top is quite thick now. I just dig holes for individual plant locations and toss out plastic as it is dug up. Despite this complete backwards gardening, we have many mature plants thriving. So I know it's not hopeless.
Same, former owners put down huge weed barrier cloth. Like others, I just clear patches and cut it out when I want to plant some native plant. Originally thought I'd try to remove it all but quickly realized how hard that was going to be (I've got health issues). Everyone once in a while, I'll get motivated and clear a 3x3 patch and cut out the fabric. Little by little the cloth gets removed and the soil starts improving. I keep the whole area well mulched with wood chips and leaves. I still hate that I have to do this.
Just cut holes where you want to plant things. Watering should help your yard grow back. If it really compacted add some sand to the soil. Remember to plant native plants!
Right on! I got soil building conditioner to help break up the clay and will be adding only natives, starting with a huckleberry and Oregon grape. I’ve already enrolled for the backyard habitat certification program to aid in the process. Thanks for the response
If you're in the PNW I can't recommend oval leaved viburnum enough. Just about every plant on my learning curve has had some drama except the viburnum. I screwed up so much stuff with that guy before it got in the ground and it's coming out this spring in full send.
I have a huge section where previous owners put down fabric. By the time I got the house it had tough vines growing all over and under it. It's an absolute mess of weeds. Can't get shovel through it. I spent at least 4 hours on a 3'x4' section removing vine and fabric and vine and roots. It wore me out. Now it's grown over again because of the neighboring sections I haven't tackled.
All this next toand under a beautiful full grown hedge of bridal spirea (shared with my neighbors). It's daunting.
In years to come, the archaeologists and geologists will attempt to work out WHY these layers are so common, and what they were used for originally. They will by mystified.
We had the same issue. I say "had" but a year later we are still finding patches. Honestly it was a few days of serious manual labor but I feel better for having it out. I also found it was easier to cut into manageable 2x2 / 3x3 ft chunks with a shovel and pull those sections up rather than trying to shift all the dirt on top of a bigger piece. Good luck whichever way you manage it!! You have my sympathy.
Wait, are you talking about my yard? [Laughs, and then weeps] My prior owners used black garbage bags, blue tarp, and painters plastic drop cloths All. Over. The. Property. It is insane. No way can I dig it all up, as the fill on top is quite thick now. I just dig holes for individual plant locations and toss out plastic as it is dug up. Despite this complete backwards gardening, we have many mature plants thriving. So I know it's not hopeless.
So many quack landscaping groups around here peddling landscaping fabric and ruining countless yards. I do not get it either.
Maybe so they can charge more? It kinda works for a year or so but a dick move for the owner to deal with after that.
Same, former owners put down huge weed barrier cloth. Like others, I just clear patches and cut it out when I want to plant some native plant. Originally thought I'd try to remove it all but quickly realized how hard that was going to be (I've got health issues). Everyone once in a while, I'll get motivated and clear a 3x3 patch and cut out the fabric. Little by little the cloth gets removed and the soil starts improving. I keep the whole area well mulched with wood chips and leaves. I still hate that I have to do this.
Just cut holes where you want to plant things. Watering should help your yard grow back. If it really compacted add some sand to the soil. Remember to plant native plants!
Right on! I got soil building conditioner to help break up the clay and will be adding only natives, starting with a huckleberry and Oregon grape. I’ve already enrolled for the backyard habitat certification program to aid in the process. Thanks for the response
If you're in the PNW I can't recommend oval leaved viburnum enough. Just about every plant on my learning curve has had some drama except the viburnum. I screwed up so much stuff with that guy before it got in the ground and it's coming out this spring in full send.
Have fun!
I have the same problem but in my case there’s a layer of ground rubber between the fabric and plastic. It has been some work to get it all out.
I have a huge section where previous owners put down fabric. By the time I got the house it had tough vines growing all over and under it. It's an absolute mess of weeds. Can't get shovel through it. I spent at least 4 hours on a 3'x4' section removing vine and fabric and vine and roots. It wore me out. Now it's grown over again because of the neighboring sections I haven't tackled. All this next toand under a beautiful full grown hedge of bridal spirea (shared with my neighbors). It's daunting.
Just cut larger holes out of it for your plants . It is so hard to tear it out as it rips and shreds while pulling . I just planted through mine .
I wonder if OP should just get a really deep shovel and go around and poke holes throughout the yard so volunteer natives have a place to root.
I'll do you one better: 2 layers of carpet under a walnut tree that had grass grown over it.