Yet another odd topic for the Safehouse, but it seems like we have a expert in every possible field in the world here on the Safehouse. Surely there's a gardener! It's an essential field for Rogues, I'd think, growing their own poisons and such.
As some of bothered to remember, I bought a house two months ago. (still excited!) There's a dire need of furniture, as the family room, living room, bedrooms are yet unfurnished, let alone decorated. Hopefully, I'll get the living room done soon.
But for now, more pressing matters await. The former residents let the garden rot in the few months before they sold the house. So there are a ton of weeds. The extent of my gardening knowledge is grass likes water and weeds are meant to be pulled.
I have a fairly large backyard and front yard, in addition to a difficult hill as I will show in pictures. I don't particularly feel like spending $100-150/month for a gardener, nor can I afford to. I don't want to spend 1-2 hours per week mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, cleaning, etc. My goal is low maintenance but still looks good. What I mean is, I don't want to completely rid myself of plants and have a patch of dirt and lawn I don't need to take care of. I want a full garden, green grass, growing plants, but want to keep pulling weeds to a very very bare minimum.
I'm also willing to pay a lot of money up front of neccessary. I've heard that stuff like putting black plastic coverings, etc, are my best bet which is ok if that's what it takes.
Or if there's a good site with step by step stuff, let me know. While I can google millions of gardening sites, there's nothing better than personal experience, which is why I'm asking here.
Also, I wanted to show off my bridge and backyard view 8) (making one more post with more details on the pictures)
Aidden, I know it's a lot of images (adding up to some 2.5MB i believe) if you would rather me host it on my server, just say so. I'll be happy to use my own perosnal server, but you've insisted on us using SH for image hosting so I'm going with that for now.
As you can see from the picture of my cat, she's quite healthy! If you don't remember, she had Acute Renal Failure, which is 95% of the time a fatal problem. All her levels normalized since then! 100% recovery, go!
The first thumbnail is my backyard. I love open spaces, so that's a really nice view for someone living in the Bay Area California. Lots of snakes, frogs, ducks and swans live in that area. So it's nice.
The second picture is a bridge to the second floor of my house. You can see my garage on the other end. Detached garage is nice.
Lol Montaq, that's why I posted that pic. That's actually, believe it or not, my bed. I know, hard to image, with Lucky taking all of it for herself.
That aside.. to know which images I'm referring to, hover your mouse over the thumbnail. A tag will show up.
In weed01 and weed02 images, you can see the right side of my garden when facing the house. That part hasn't been worked on and planted much, so it needs a complete makeover. I need to remove all the weeds. I want to know what kind of prevention I can do on that side? Covering with tarp, what to spray, etc. I'll work on landscaping later, for now it's just preparation.
In weed03 and weed04, that's the left side. There's less weeds there due to it being landscaped, but there still are some. What should I do to rid myself of them for a semi-long time? Or is there some more costly thing I can do to completely rid of them? Labor is not an issue.
In weed05, that's the steps in my backyard from the first level to second level. Should I just spray permanent weed killer of some sort there?
In weed07, what are those long grass-like things in the grass? Crabsomething? Or is it something else I should not concern with?
Last one, plant01. That's under the bridge, it's undeveloped for obvious reasons. We have water sprinklers there, but that can be changed to a drip system. Since it's under the bridge, it's in the shade most, if not all of the time. Can I do something with it? Plant some plants that don't need sun or something? Or some other novel idea that someone can think of?
The black stuff is the win. You can get it at Sam's club in giant rolls with little metal fasteners, and it's way cheaper than buying it in smaller rolls. You'll need to mulch over it, though, or else it will start to look like ass.
One thing you may consider doing, rather than trying to grow permanent plants, plot out holes in the mulch cover, and then just pull an annual out of its big ol' pot and stick it in. When it dies, pull it out and put a new one in the hole. When we were down at Disneyworld last month I noticed that's what they did. They were putting in some new flowers and there were all these wonderful pot-sized holes just waiting for something to be transplanted in.
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The original gnomosexualizer
100% socializer 53% explorer 33% achiever 13% killer and 100% lover.
So the black plastic does prevent weeds from going, I assume from not allowing sun and water to get through?
That potting holes sounds like an interesting idea. I'm not sure if I can afford to replace plants yearly at the moment (the hill is bigger than the image gives off.) Mulch is like those bark you put on top? I'm concerned since the hill is at something of a 45 degree angle, rain season will cause all of it to just do a mini-mulchslide (get it? ha ha ha i'm so hilarious).
So the black plastic does prevent weeds from going, I assume from not allowing sun and water to get through?
That potting holes sounds like an interesting idea. I'm not sure if I can afford to replace plants yearly at the moment (the hill is bigger than the image gives off.) Mulch is like those bark you put on top? I'm concerned since the hill is at something of a 45 degree angle, rain season will cause all of it to just do a mini-mulchslide (get it? ha ha ha i'm so hilarious).
Any opinions would be appreciated.
edit - Reading is fundamental. Yes, it blocks the weeds from getting sun, and also keeps the weed seeds from settling and germinating in the first place. More to the point, it is porous, so water can go through. I had a neighbor back in Indiana who said "why spend the money on the expensive stuff?" and put black garbage bags down instead. He was surprised the plants all died
Mulch is indeed the chopped up wood stuff. The angle will be a problem for you. I know that there is a plastic-based product that looks like mulch but lays down in strips. See here for what I'm talking about. I don't know how costly it is, but if initial cost isn't an issue, that is probably your best bet for the angled beds.
As mentioned above, weed barrier <> black plastic. The good quality weed barrier, coupled with spraying and clearing before you put it down will definately keep your weed count low.
As far as low maintenance plants and ground covers, I'm sure More will be along shortly to write a book (a short story, at least) on what she recommends to her customers.
Edit: To add...
For that slope, if you want something more garden/bed and less likely to run downhill in a strong rain, you might consider terracing. adding 1 or two steps to that area would give you a much flatter planting area and add some visual interest. There are a ton of options these days for retaining walls, some easy enough to do yourself with a couple of helpers working for beer
For that slope, if you want something more garden/bed and less likely to run downhill in a strong rain, you might consider terracing. adding 1 or two steps to that area would give you a much flatter planting area and add some visual interest. There are a ton of options these days for retaining walls, some easy enough to do yourself with a couple of helpers working for beer
That's what I would suggest as well... 2 terraces would look really nice on that hill and allow you some more flexibility in planting.
For under the bridge, I'd probably go the easy way out and cover that whole area in some sort of decorative rock. I can't tell, but is that cement under the bridge? It looks like the dirt has washed away in the 2nd batch of photos.
Want to do something fun with those stairs? There are some low-lying herbs that you can plant in the cracks, and when you step on them they'll make the whole area smell good. I forget the name offhand but if you're interested I can find it.
Mulch is great and there are several kinds. The rubber mulch is neat but it's a lot more expensive than plain old wood. There are pros and cons to each.
If you're totally clueless on gardening, here's what I would suggest:
- Find a book or two on local gardening and plants that thrive in your area. You'll have the best success using those type of plants.
- Scope out the neighbor's yards and see what they have planted. If you see something over and over, chances are it's because it grows well in your neighborhood. Take pictures and show them to a nursery, or ask the neighbor what it is.
- Go to a local greenhouse/nursery and check out their stock. Also, see if they offer free classes on local gardening and planting. I know ours do around here.
I'm starting my Horticulture degree in about a month, so ask me again later.
I know that there is a plastic-based product that looks like mulch but lays down in strips. See here for what I'm talking about. I don't know how costly it is, but if initial cost isn't an issue, that is probably your best bet for the angled beds.
Hmm, that seems like an interesting idea. I looked for a place to buy it within 30 miles of my house, and all that turned up was a Navy base that required Military ID to buy from. What kind of Military is this, heh. While I said up front cost is not really an issue, I meant the cost of covering it with the black plastic and mulch, weed killers, etc. Getting into the landscaping (mulch), terracing, etc is a cost issue though.
For that slope, if you want something more garden/bed and less likely to run downhill in a strong rain, you might consider terracing. adding 1 or two steps to that area would give you a much flatter planting area and add some visual interest. There are a ton of options these days for retaining walls, some easy enough to do yourself with a couple of helpers working for beer
That's actually not a bad idea at all. Perhaps as a long term project. There's a lot of terraces at my house. My backyard actually has two, when you exit the back of the house, we have some lawn, then there's a retaining wall with a 6 foot drop, (that's what the steps in the image are for, to get to the lower terrace). Once we get to the lower terrace, there's a second retaining wall which drops another 6 feet to the space in between my house and the houses further back. At the front where the hill is, there's a 3 foot retaining wall. The hill drops about 6 feet in depth, so adding one more 3 foot tall retaining wall in between or two 2 foot ones might be a good idea. It would also make it much easier to work on as well.
I'd have to save some money to do it all at once. Labor's not really a issue since I'm a workhorse, I do heavy labor all day for a living. I could dig that whole place and add the retaining walls myself.
For under the bridge, I'd probably go the easy way out and cover that whole area in some sort of decorative rock. I can't tell, but is that cement under the bridge? It looks like the dirt has washed away in the 2nd batch of photos.
No, just really, really, really hard dirt. May as well be cement, I think. but that can be dealt with.
Want to do something fun with those stairs? There are some low-lying herbs that you can plant in the cracks, and when you step on them they'll make the whole area smell good. I forget the name offhand but if you're interested I can find it.
I'm actually interested, it sounds like a fun idea. Although there are allergy issues here, I'm allergic to a hell of a lot of spring plants. I've never noticed any allergy to herbs but I haven't been around them much.
- Scope out the neighbor's yards and see what they have planted. If you see something over and over, chances are it's because it grows well in your neighborhood. Take pictures and show them to a nursery, or ask the neighbor what it is.
My house is in an area with 70% renters. So very few houses are maintained, let alone landscaped. So I can't get much help there. But the market here is showing a lot of people will be selling their houses and more owners will move in and renovate the houses (it's becoming a popular area) which is one of the many reasons we felt this house was a good short and long term investment.
But on the bright side, most of them can identify all the weeds I have! -_-
- Go to a local greenhouse/nursery and check out their stock. Also, see if they offer free classes on local gardening and planting. I know ours do around here.
Heh, I am not really interested in gardening. I just want something that will look good that I can leave alone only maintaining it a few times a year for a couple hours, if possible. But I'll probably pick up a book on the basics, I can read much better than I can listen to people drone on repeating things for the millionth time.
When I get time I will write you about all aspects of gardening that you have questions on. I can not atm, just got off 18 hours and I am back in tomorrow morning thank god theres no traffic tomorrow. Oh btw the Grammys BLOWS well working on it does, cold concrete and lifting steel all day = Hurt feet!
Should be a good show this year, we are hanging 487 points last I checked. One question from you I would like to see is if you want or have thought about organic gardening? I also need to know your climate, hardiness zone to help me choose plants for you wisely.. http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html?
Do you like flowers or just green? Don't go out and spend a fortune on terracing either, I have some cost effective tips on it to...ttyl
Bubba
Remember its easy to call another person an idiot, it is much harder to prove you are not one yourself!- Bubba Love
A more permanent and stable thing is crushed brick chip. Its permanent, it drains well, it doesn't rot away like mulch, you can buy it in bulk. They make it from cracked or broken bricks from firing them so its pretty cheap too. Ill take a pic of the bottom of my steps and show you.
It makes a good cover to hold the black plastic in place without you seeing it too so no weeds. Just cut out where you want to put a plant or bush
If you just want a living groundcover check out Creeping Juniper
When I get time I will write you about all aspects of gardening that you have questions on. I can not atm, just got off 18 hours and I am back in tomorrow morning thank god theres no traffic tomorrow. Oh btw the Grammys BLOWS well working on it does, cold concrete and lifting steel all day = Hurt feet!
Should be a good show this year, we are hanging 487 points last I checked. One question from you I would like to see is if you want or have thought about organic gardening? I also need to know your climate, hardiness zone to help me choose plants for you wisely.. http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html?
Do you like flowers or just green? Don't go out and spend a fortune on terracing either, I have some cost effective tips on it to...ttyl
Bubba
Is organic gardening where you grow food? If so, then I'm not really interested at the moment. I'm too busy to take care of them right now. As for hardiness zone, I'm in California Bay Area. Looks like 10A/10B zone on map?
Not sure which plant Dorla is talking about, but one of the popular ones down here is Elfin Thyme. People like to plant it between stepping stones and such. There's another one that doesn't smell quite as nice, but is hardier. It's called Green Carpet.
- find out what zone you're in.
- go to places like Jackson & Perkins web site. they have tons of info about how to make easy maintenance gardens.
I love, absolutely love rose carpets and David Austin English rose shrubs. Low maintenance and smell divine. Throw in some heather and viola! instant garden. I stopped planting hybrid tea roses because they only last about 10 years =( now, I only grow roses with their own roots.
-Make sure you go for drought tolerant plants, if you area doesn't get a lot of rain & have watering restrictions.
black tarp stuff and wood chips=awesome. I have it in my back garden. So much easier.
- look into butterfly and/or hummingbird gardens. It's great to see 10+ different species just hanging around.
Well I've spent the last 2 hours pulling those weeds. Filled up a full garbage bag, and feel like I'm going nowhere!
BTW, my code is 09B if that helps anyone. I picked up a book called Scotts Lawns [Your guide to a beautiful yard] which is really helpful. I know Scotts is using this to make money (as seen by how hard they are trying to get you to fertilize :p) but it's still lots of simple and good info on fertilizing, maintaining and caring for lawns, how to identify grass weeds, etc.
So aside from identifying what type of grass I have so I can know exactly what I need to do, and wheter it's a Cool or Warm season grass, I kind of figured out what to do.
So that leaves the monstorus hill of mine. I'm wondering, is there any kind of spray I can use to kill all the weeds without killing the plants I have? There has to be something easier than pulling all of it. Or is pulling all of it and spraying preventive stuff my only choice?
There are some targetted sprays that will kill broadleaf and leave most other stuff alone. We've had mixed results with them to be honest. Besides, even if you spray with 100% effectiveness, you still have to pull out all the dead weeds.
I forgot to add Spring Hill Nursery! they show exactly how to lay it out depending on what you want.
they are awesome! I got butterfly bushes from them, they had baby butterfly bushes! I took some of the babies when I moved and they are doing well at my house.
There are some targetted sprays that will kill broadleaf and leave most other stuff alone. We've had mixed results with them to be honest. Besides, even if you spray with 100% effectiveness, you still have to pull out all the dead weeds.
Well, I finished my weed genocide. Man does it make a difference. I spent 8 hours today and 9 hours yesterday on that hill. I originally tried to pull them by hand but they kept breaking, so I couldn't get the root out. But I found this hand tool which is kind of like a thin rod with a crossbar end that you push straight into the ground, then angle it to attach to the root, and rip it out without having to dig the soil.
It went a lot faster after that. I've been recommended Weed Impede for preventing them from emerging, so I'm going to try that today. I also fertilized the lawn with crabgrass etc preventer. I still need to pull weeds, but there's significantly less in the rest of the area, probably only a hour's work. What will be difficult though is pulling the existing crabgrass out, I already sprayed something on it to kill them. I think I'll do that next weekend.
Thanks for the tips. I'll post some "after" pics when I steal back my friend's camera.
EDIT: By the way, the total bags of weed were 9 40 gallon garbage bags full. Unlimited stamina of youth, GO~! Fight-o!
100% recovery, go!
