posted
Judging by the lack of posts here i,m obviously not the only one who thinks lawns are nothing more than a waste of planting space.
* * * * The grass may be greener on the other side,but you still have to mow it. Plants: 372 | From: england | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 195.92.168.169
posted
I tend to agree with you on the lawns, I hate mowing... I have 2 of them to do myself.. But if you do a FORUM SEARCH< a few will come up. Every now again, I believe, Bill, clears the boards, for the lack of a better word of it.???? So, it does appear that there is NOTHING in here, but when you do a forum search and type in LAWNS, some catagories come up!!!
Does that help any??
Come the start of spring and summer time, there'll be some more posts filled up in here!
Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
actually, the posts don't come up beyond what your set date is in your profile. like mine only shows posts that are less than 10 days old. if i change it, i can go back much much farther.
about the lawns, in the summer, we get a lot more questions. and, it also depends on your needs and where you live.
there are areas (read subdivisions) that require a certain type/style of yard/lawn. I know of one that even counts the plants in the yard, and if you don't have enough (or maybe too many ) based on the size of your land, you get a nasty gram from the homeowners association!
sooooo, that is your answer on the lawn thing.... also, remember that lots of posts have been lost in the crashes (i was here for both of them, ugh...)
Seeded: 206.220.183.10
Phil and Laura
guest
posted
I agree! I have 6000 square feet of main garden, three medicinal and culinary herb beds(4x30) total of 360 sq.ft., 6 perrenial beds(4x20)480 sq.ft. for a grand total of:6840 sq. ft., this doesn't account for all the plants/bulbs perrenials scattered about,and I STILL HAVE 3 HOURS of MOWING!! as far as the lawn, bought something onetime to remove the "weeds" and along with my "no chemical" beliefs, I realized that if I used it, all there would be left; would be MUD! it sits still in the basement;unused
Seeded: 170.215.46.13
posted
I have 6 different lawn areas totalling more than an acre. I don't feed them or weed them but they always remain green.
As far as mowing.... Using the walk behind mower takes two days. I do that twice a year with the grass catcher. (good exercise!) It takes about 5 hours on the rider, but I don't care as long as I have something in the drink holder to keep me company!
I would prefer all gardens, but that gets expensive so the lawn alternative is MUCH easier than fighting the native berries and brambles that quickly try to reclaim any area I've cleared. I enjoy looking out across a nice lawn. I can set up one heck of a croquet course too!
* * * * Plants: 11227 | From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002
| Seeded: 67.75.214.110
quote:Originally posted by weezie13: Every now again, I believe, Bill, clears the boards, for the lack of a better word of it.???? So, it does appear that there is NOTHING in here, but when you do a forum search and type in LAWNS, some catagories come up!!! Weezie
I have never "cleared" the boards with the exception of inappropriate posts from the day when we were invaded by "the scumbags". We did lose a LOT of posts because of the two crashes we've had. Jiffy is absolutely right about setting the search time criteria to a year or to "all messages" to get the best search results. Also, be sure to set the search to check "all forums" rather than just the lawn care one, because very often a lawn question will pop up elsewhere!
* * * * Plants: 11227 | From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002
| Seeded: 67.75.214.110
posted
We don't have any lawn to speak off. Eversince one snake found my wife wandering in the yard, she had the front & back yards covered with concrete and rocks; that is the reason for the container gardening.
But, while on the subject of lawn management, why not convert part of your lawn to "putting green"? A hill here, a hill over there, a small sand trap elsewhere...and while Laura, or Catlover is mowing the lawn, you could break a new or practice on an old putter.
Just a thought. Could be a very good business for the professional landscapers.
Phil, Bill, Nikkal???
* * * *
Amor est vitae essentia. Love is the essence of life. Plants: 932 | From: Northern California, Zone 9b | Registered: Jul 2003
| Seeded: 198.81.26.17
Phil and Laura
guest
posted
Papito, I had that very Idea, Laura likes to mow, and a putting green WOULD be a decent project, Ya see now that someone else agrees with me My chances are Better!! HeHe
Seeded: 170.215.46.35
Cat got another gopher yesterday....one down and katrillion to go!
* * * * Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.5
Phil and Laura
guest
posted
Hello from the GOPHER STATE!! did ya know that Minnesota IS the Gopher State? look it up! We set up two reinforcement rods, about 4' long ,driven into the ground about 3/4 of the way,and 8' apart. Run a wire through holes in two tin cans and hook one end to one rod and the other to the second, usually scares em' off by wind power, but I give the contraption a kick when ever I walk by, results: no gophers in my yard,at all. Cosmetic value? well some folks paint the contraption pretty colors!
Seeded: 170.215.46.53
posted
Ok, I'm probably going to get blasted here, but a lawn can be just the right touch to set off flower beds. There are organic ways to have a lawn, but it takes a little longer to get results than with the chemical stuff.
Now, don't tell my hubby, but I'd like to make the front lawn all groundcovers! I hate to mow and I too don't like the pollution or the noise of a mower. We do have a small electric one and I call it the tinker toy mower!
Newt
* * * * When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. Plants: 271 | From: Maryland zone 7 | Registered: Sep 2002
| Seeded: 68.55.145.196
This is a very important article. Basically Monsanto and Scotts companies want to deregulate a genetically engineered glyphosate-tolerant creeping bentgrass (make grass genetically engineered so you can spray round up on it to kill weeds but not kill the grass) If this happens this will open the door for more genetically modified plants which we do not know the full consequences of yet. Please let the government know what you think.
* * * * The Buglady Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, www.bugladyconsulting.com Educating the world... one bug at a time Plants: 435 | From: PA | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 64.12.96.70
posted
What's the bentgrass used for, like golf courses, and public lawns?? To keep the maintenance down???
Just what we need an unkillable creeping grass!!
What will they think up next!!
I'd rather have a lawn of weeds, I get the prettiest colors, come certain times of the summer!!!
A sea of purple with the violets, white with the veronica's, yellow and red with the "paint brushes" (not the true name) johnny jump ups, and clovers, oh, I could go on and on, I leave them all....it's the creeping grass I hate...
Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
posted
I'm so done with my lawn, that I'm about to destroy over 60% of it...
We have a small front lawn, and even smaller back lawn. The back lawn I like, because we actually use it. But the front lawn is litle more than a water-sucking, space-hogging, leaf-catching, time-wasting green parkway, there for the visual pleasure of my neightbours who - much as I love 'em - should not be the single beneficiaries of one whole third of my property!
So I'm tkaing outthe front lawn, and replacing it with a drought tolerant landscape. I'd like something that is inviting from the front door, but difficult to enter from the street; something that creates a charming yet low-maintenance visual impression on passers-by, and which doesn't require any mowing, and minmal watering. I briefly entertained the idea of pouring concrete across thefront lawn, but my wife recommended a plan B.
So I'll soon be ruminating on what types of plants I should be purchasing, and how to plant the area that now looks like this, but which I hope to look something like this, or even better...
Suggestions welcomed!!
* * * * Plants: 175 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Jul 2003
| Seeded: 66.215.13.46
posted
That would be a great alternative, Allthumbs. Plus in Ca. its a plus being drought tolerant and fire resistant. I'm right there with you with the lawn being a waste of space. I am the corner lot and constantly have bike tracks going across my expanse of green. But what can you do...kids will be kids. I would love to take out the grass but hubby says no way. He has no sense of adventure....
* * * * Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. Plants: 766 | From: The real OC in sunny So. Cal. | Registered: Aug 2003
| Seeded: 216.114.206.2
posted
I've always thought a sea of clover and a goat would make a good lawn
* * * * The answers will come when needed. Otherwise, I'm guesing time will make me feel silly. Plants: 387 | From: canada | Registered: Feb 2004
| Seeded: 207.176.160.62
posted
What kind of tree is that? Will it eventually mess up the driveway with the roots???
*Have you looked into Bouganvilla....no kids or trespassers will go through that! Big stickers....I like the pink ones the best. I believe your door is red...there are red ones as well. Once established not much water needed at all. These can get very large but can trim with no problem....watch the stickers.
*green europs (sp)....has bright yellow flowers...there is also a silver grey one as well with the yellow flowers. Low water....once in awhile shaping...no big deal.
* Bird of Paradise....Low water
* How about an arched trellis with ???? growing on it to add height! I think it is called Rose of Sharon ??? that is real pretty... I'm not good with roses....but I am giving it one more year!
*Just bought this plant.....Chamelaucium -purple wax flower....If you look under plants and flowers I posted the pix of this one. Drought tolerant...not much trimming
*Just bought this plant as well....Pink Diosm-breath of heaven.....Same thing I posted a pix under plants and flowers....Also drought tolerant!....not much trimming
*something I am looking into is Lavender....for smell and beauty!
*If there is any semi shade area....rhodi's and ferns are nice!!! But need more water!
*How about some daylilies???? Take a little cleaning up once a week but no biggy!
I personally would stay away from any Junipers if you have ANY male cats around....they spray them and it can really smell. Have driven past some junipers with windows down and could smell the male cat urine all the way in the car!!! Very Strong Stuff! Very drought tolerant!
Are any of the above kind of what you are looking for?
Or you could turn it into a cactus garden....I have a couple areas in back!! I guarantee that will be a visitor deterent!!!
Let me do some more thinking!!! Catlover
* * * * Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.5
posted
with kids and dogs at my house, a lawn is a must. in the back yard that is. However, in the front yard my plan is to slowly take over one square foot at a time... my husband has sentiment similar to Gardengal's. but what he doesn't notice won't hurt him.
catlover, I wouldn't wish Bouganvilla on anyone. They are pretty, sure, but boy what a nightmare we had. We moved into this house in Oct. and because of having young children, decided to get a pool safety net... anyway, had to remove a Bouganvilla because of it's proximity to the pool. My father in law decided to be helpful one day while we were out and took a chainsaw to the base of it. Ended up with a 15 foot bush IN THE POOL. we worked for HOURS cutting it up and putting it in the greens bin. and trash cans, and dumpster, and wheelbarrow... UGH. when we got it small enough we put a rope under it and my father in law got in the pool to push it out while mother in law and i pulled. He was scratched all over! big cuts. Ay Yi Yi it was a mess.
Now for the Gophers in the back. wish my dogs would actually catch one, they just dig after it! Catlover, can I borrow your cat???
And is that tree possibly a juniper? or a yew?
* * * * rellie Plants: 147 | From: bellflower, ca | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 24.130.136.119
posted
Yep, been there and done that with the bouganvilla. My dads back fence was covered with them for about 30 yrs and we removed them....I have some here but the KEY is keeping them under control. A snip here and there every once in a while. The thorns will get ya and you have to be careful. The older the plant is the tougher those thorns are.....bet that is what you ran into. Pruning bouganvilla should be a slow process and put in cans weekly....boy you guys jumped right into that one with all fours. I can relate!!!! At least it is gone!!!
Bouganvilla works great if you have a very large corner to fill....birds love to nest in it as well.
As far as the cats....2 of the 5 go in and out....they have caught 3 or 4 now total in almost 2 yrs. Not a very good success rate. Those darn gophers are a pain in the you know what! I have used poison bait stabbed into the ground with a long probe device....once in awhile I get one that way. There are devices (which my neighbor across the street uses) which trap and kill....kinda like a mouse trap. But you have to really dig to set the trap etc. They are even digging from under the black top road and going in. Hopefully they are going from my house to his and ending up in the trap!
I just bought several of those smoke bombs things so I will let you know what happens with those. I know you have to dig a ways to insert and all their holes have to be covered .....and the soil should be moist so the vapors won't escape as fast! I have 2 fruit trees I need to plant but the area has many holes....grrrrr. They recommend around here that you make like a pot shape out of aviary wire and plant within that to save your plants. It is very easy to make but just a hassle and more money. If anybody wants me to TRY and explain the easiest way to make them let me know!
My front lawn is getting smaller everytime I go to the nursery!! Ha Ha Ha I still like a little lawn but sure wish it wasn't that darn Burmuda grass. I have another grass mixed in and just love it!
* * * * Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.5
posted
Bouganvilla...my tip for you on that lovely thorny plant is keep it in a container, that tends to stunt its growth. When I was little we lived in Fullerton and had a weird yard, it was kind of split in two with a little pathway by the back of the house, but you could get to either side from the house itself through sliding glass doors. The city planted bouganvilla on the other side of our fence and it eventually took over our little pathway to where you couldn't get from one side of our yard to the other. I just remember hating that plant and helping my mom hack it back one summer.
So like Catlover said, bouganvilla has to be maintained. I have two in large 16" pots and they are quite happy and easy to contain to where I want them. Pretty plants that can turn evil... There is a house that my hubby and I like in Orange that we think has sooo much potential. Problem is they have a bouganvilla thats taller than the house itself. Can you imagine trying to take that guy out??
* * * * Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. Plants: 766 | From: The real OC in sunny So. Cal. | Registered: Aug 2003
| Seeded: 216.114.206.2
posted
I hear you gardengal....If you have a large lot they can be very beautiful but if out of control.... Guess I'm just a sucker for the beautiful pink color. They are messy....wind whirls the blooms everywhere if no other brush is around to catch them. Downwind of a pool is a big no no!!!!
I have seen them espalier trained....that would take a lot more time but if you had a wood fence to hook it to and some extra minutes to trim ....boy they are neat looking!
* * * * Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.5
posted
my mohter in law had lived in a rental house with two detached garages on the alley. in between the garages there was a sidewalk they kept the garbage cans. she put up a trellis and trained a bouganvilla to go up the trellis and onto the roofs of the garages. it did a great job hiding the trash can sidewalk. she pruned it regularly.
however, the previous owner at my house NEVER pruned ANYTHING and the bouganvilla was WAY out of control. (you couldn't walk around the pool sidewalk with out getting poked by a thorn. which was why it had to come down...) we now have a potted sago palm in it's place.
* * * * rellie Plants: 147 | From: bellflower, ca | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 24.130.136.119
posted
Oh Rellie that is a good choice! My mom has a circle driveway and they are planted in the middle with 3 lights shining up through the plants....They are great plants. Neighbors across the street from me must of put in 10 of those lining the street! Word of caution...they can still getcha but just by poking....no biggy!!!
I have a ?....how did you get the bouganvilla to stop sending out new shoots?
* * * * Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.5
posted
well, we dug up the root system as much as possible, (not much success there) my husband considered hiring someone to dig it up, then i had the idea to cover it with dirt, and set the potted palm right on top of it. we'll just deal with shoots individually as they come up. may not be the most prudent way, but works for us.
* * * * rellie Plants: 147 | From: bellflower, ca | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 24.130.136.119
posted
hey, Nicholas, want a couple Bird of Paradise? You can have some from my front yard at no cost.. just your own labor of getting them up. If you're interested, send me an email. I'm in Bellflower, right off the 605. or any other of SoCal people too.
* * * * rellie Plants: 147 | From: bellflower, ca | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 24.130.136.119
Thaks for your offer, but I have 3 BofPs already in the back yard, and wasn't planning on putting any in the front. I'm hoping to rediscover drought tolerant plants that aren't as conventional as Bougainvillea, Bird of Paradise, or Pampas grass (sp?). I know it's going to take a little while, but with the help of folks like catlover (see her February 3rd posting), I'll soon have a good list to research and select from!!
re. Bougainvillea, I just got in from pruning my two in the back, and definitely drew blood! I'm trying to get them to grow up and over the front of the patio, and then join in the middle...
* * * * Plants: 175 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Jul 2003
| Seeded: 66.215.13.46
*False Heather....purple blooms, low growing. BTW they are in the nurseries around here now! Also saw some at K-mart while there but got mine at the Do It Center. Ace would probably have them as well. http://plantsdatabase.com/go/676/
Is this more what you are looking for?
FYI...My Chamelaucium....wax flower is blooming now....How pretty! and it is kind of an open whispy looking plant. It's a keeper!
* * * * Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.5
posted
I've planted 4 redbuds in the front already, and am keeping my fingers crossed that they will grow (I grew them from seed, and they're now about 2 feet high, but seem to have stopped, as soon as I transplanted!!) We'll see what spring brings!
* * * * Plants: 175 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Jul 2003
| Seeded: 66.215.13.46
posted
COOL! Be sure to post pics! I'm going to use yours as a test and see whether I want some myself. How big do they eventually get? the one in the picture looked rather large... keep us posted.
* * * * rellie Plants: 147 | From: bellflower, ca | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 24.130.136.119
posted
oh, i just scrolled up to the picture you posted before. was that taken before planting the redbuds? where are they in relation to that picture?
* * * * rellie Plants: 147 | From: bellflower, ca | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 24.130.136.119
posted
We have a lot of lawn, but I'm getting rid of it a little at a time. We put in a hill and planted 9 trees at the road. Last year I tillered up the side yard and made a flower garden. Eventually we won't have so much grass. It's too much work.
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Judging by the lack of posts here i,m obviously not the only one who thinks lawns are nothing more than a waste of planting space.
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) based on the size of your land, you get a nasty gram from the homeowners association! ![[shocked]](graemlins/shock.gif)
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this doesn't account for all the plants/bulbs perrenials scattered about,and I STILL HAVE 3 HOURS of MOWING!! ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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Use for the gopher mounds and holes! ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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Catlover ![[lala]](graemlins/lala.gif)
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