Even at the frequency of a month, I have to say that these posts are Very Useful now that Alan and I are trying to understand what sort of a yard we inherited and what we might have to do with it.
We had a bit of a no-go with grass seed this past month too. I would have expected it to have come up in less than two weeks, but the overwhelming majority of it didn't. We got another batch in today just before the rain -- this time putting a bit of dirt on top -- so we'll see how it goes.
Useful, huh? That's cool. I kind of assumed this was all just babble for nobody's benefit but my own. So, thanks!
Pretty much everything I know I learned from inheriting my own yard, and working with what I have. My advice would probably start with "perennials!" at the top of the list, because they come back on their own and are slightly less work overall. Want some? :)
If I am going to have another go at grass, I should really do it super soon, while it's still raining frequently and not too hot. Sigh. Maybe this weekend I'll try again.
You're welcome :-) To be more specific, it's been useful to see names of things (I'm not the greatest in the "identify that plant across the street that you like and might want to get one of" department) and to have a sort of schedule as to what's being done at different times. And useful in the more emotional sense to find out that I'm not the only one having trouble with grass seed!
If you have things you're looking to get rid of or could easily split, some perennials would be very nice! Alan and I are still in the early stages of figuring out what we might already have (secret hostas!) and what we want to re-do, so the field is pretty wide open.
I don't think I am linked to you on FB, but in case you haven't head about it yet, bronwyn (who I think you know?) is hosting a plant distribution party this afternoon, and it is open invite, even if you have nothing to give away. I plan to be there around 4:30p to take some of her leftover whatevers. :)
I looooooove having flowers in my yard. Even though it's a lot of work to keep things looking nice, it's so rewarding for just sitting outside or walking around.
I sometimes feel like I don't do enough, but then I remember that think most of my immediate neighbors either have rather simple lawns that they maintain or else get lawn service, and very few of them have gardens. I guess my standards are kinda high for myself.
Where did you mulch with fresh wood chips? If it's around flowering-type plants or in the veggie garden, be aware that fresh wood chips actually suck a lot of nitrogen *out* of the soil in the early stages of decomposition. I'd fertilize in this area to combat, or move the chips back out and pile them somewhere inoffensive for 6-12 months to age awhile. If you mulched in non-plant muuddy areas or walkways, or around well-established trees and shrubs, probably less of an issue.
Interesting! I didn't think about this. Some googling around suggests it's not a problem around established perennials or as a top layer (and not tilled in), so I think the only place where I should watch for is one corner I just cleared (I don't mulch the veggies with wood). Fortunately, I have some nice nitrogen-rich compost I can balance that out with. Thanks.
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We had a bit of a no-go with grass seed this past month too. I would have expected it to have come up in less than two weeks, but the overwhelming majority of it didn't. We got another batch in today just before the rain -- this time putting a bit of dirt on top -- so we'll see how it goes.
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Pretty much everything I know I learned from inheriting my own yard, and working with what I have. My advice would probably start with "perennials!" at the top of the list, because they come back on their own and are slightly less work overall. Want some? :)
If I am going to have another go at grass, I should really do it super soon, while it's still raining frequently and not too hot. Sigh. Maybe this weekend I'll try again.
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If you have things you're looking to get rid of or could easily split, some perennials would be very nice! Alan and I are still in the early stages of figuring out what we might already have (secret hostas!) and what we want to re-do, so the field is pretty wide open.
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https://www.facebook.com/events/205385146482035/
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Our front yard has come up in swathes of purple violas. It's entertaining watching people on the sidewalk stop and check it out. :-)
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I sometimes feel like I don't do enough, but then I remember that think most of my immediate neighbors either have rather simple lawns that they maintain or else get lawn service, and very few of them have gardens. I guess my standards are kinda high for myself.
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