I would appreciate your suggestions for permanent coverage for a small area on our south side of house that is shaded 80% of the time. I don't want to be watering often as it's adjacent to the basement & have poor drainage. There is currently English Ivy growing on ground and up side of concrete basement walls. I will be removing the ivy and trying to get rid of it permanently. I have even considered just covering up the grass with pea gravel as we are rarely using that side of the home or yard. The distance from concrete walls to end of yard is about 12 feet, then the woods begin. Would you spray roundup, cover with wet cardboard, and lay dirt & then peagravel? Its more or less a deadzone in our yard; it's an eyesore currently...what would you do? *We live in Zone 6