It gets wet it rots and it attracts termites.
Earth to wood contact hardie siding.
Hardie board siding is one of the most durable forms of siding on the market.
Then slip a piece of metal z flashing under the remaining siding install trim board under z flashing.
James hardie is the world leader in fiber cement siding and backerboard.
Aluminum and acq do not play nice so they need to be separated.
This siding performs under extreme hot or cold conditions it is noncombustible and can slow down the progress of flames as well as help withstand a midwest blizzard.
Otherwise you may simply need to install pt wood that is rated for ground contact then cover it with 30 felt or tyvek then cover that with aluminum trim coil that matches the color of your siding.
When it is higher from the ground splashing water onto the wood is minimized.
Use some kind of peel and stick flashing to protect the underlying sheathing if there is any.
Use a chalk line and circular saw to cut a straight line then remove the siding waste.
Unlike wood and many other forms of siding materials hardie board is.
Six inches would not be too far.
Its composition of silica sand cellulose fibers and cement make it an extremely durable and long lasting element.
James hardie siding and trim help withstand damage from moisture and rot resist damage from termites and generally require less upkeep than wood siding.
The further the better.