We are currently in the process of transforming our suburban side yard into our garden/play space - putting up fencing, deep mulching, designating a few veggie/herb beds to be outlined with brick stone and applying additional organic materials, etc. We are newbies to permaculture and have previously gardened in a tilled plot that ultimately turned into a massive weed jungle. We are covering most of the space with a thick layer of primarily pine wood chips and needles that we got for free from a local tree service. I've read horror stories of termite infestation stemming from wood mulches near the home, so I'm trying to plan carefully. I would like a 2'-3' deep perennial herb bed along the side of the house (south-facing) and I'm wondering what the best mulch/ground cover option would be for creating a barrier that might deter termites. Cedar (or is that going to be allelopathic to the herbs?), grass clippings, living mulch like a low-growing thyme or some other plant? I'm also considering releasing some beneficial nematodes and making a homemade termite repellent spray to use around the foundation (using neem oil and essential oils like cedarwood, clove, etc.). Secondary question - is a layer of cardboard/newspaper under the wood chips a must? Or would a thick enough layer suppress weeds on it's own? If so, how deep? Thank you for your help! I'm loving reading and learning here
