"Staycalm" wrote in message
u...
On the western side of our house is a strip between the house and the fence.
About a meter wide it is currently bare dirt after new plumbing and fence
works.

Many suburban houses have just such a problem area.

I was thinking of putting weedmat and some sort of rock mulch down
but wondered if there was any other alternative.

None that are really easy, cheap, look good, low maintenance, green, lean etc
etc. Aside from being dark many such places are also dry because the eves,
fence etc stop the rain from getting in. And due to the fence works often
subsoil has been brought to the surface. And of course whatever noxious thing
your neighbour has will come through the fence. Wandering jew is very tough
and tolerates low light. Do you like it?

We are getting a little dog
after Christmas and wondered what I could do down there to make it more dog
friendly.

Dogs love cool darkish spots to lay about during hot weather. As long as
there is some sun elsewhere for the cold days of winter your dog may love this
summer retreat.

It gets no direct sun and the neighbor's house is directly over
the other side of the fence.
Do dogs like astroturf?

Do you like picking up doggydoo off astroturf?

Would that do as a weedstopper? Or is there a
drought resistant, shade loving real grass alternative?

Grass? No. You will have weeds because they will outcompete the grass. And
how do you feel like mowing in such a tight space and doing all those edges?

I would go with weedmat and your favourite long-lasting mulch. I would choose
bark chips that will last for some years (I know stones last longer) but
that's a personal preference.

David