Gardening & Landscaping

Help me ID this grass

jallen76 — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:46:34 GMT

This grass was in Prescott, AZ and I love it:

It is the grass to the side of the coral bells. I'm wondering what it is, anyone know? Or know of something that look similar?

TIA

Ripping out existing flower garden, and replacing with Veggies?

lildevil968 — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:47:58 GMT

I have attached a pic of the current flower garden that my DH and I want to turn into a veggie garden. We would be keeping the fencing, zoning, etc, just rip out the flowers. My question is, how would you go about doing this? What tools would we need?

Should I take up the black garden fabric?

julieandjojo — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:08 GMT

Hi everyone! I planted two hydrangea in front of my house last year and, being new to gardening, I used black garden fabric under the woodchips b/c that's what I read on the internet as being the best weed preventer. Well now that I am a little more experienced but still very much a novice, I am reading that it may not be that great b/c it can drain the soil of nutrients, and weeds can still grow over and under it which is happening. I am concerned that if I remove the fabric, the weeds will become rampant. Right now they are mostly at bay around the edge of the garden and a few in it which I can pick out - but the fabric doesn't let me unroot the weeds, since I can't get to it. I also plan to plant more than just the two hydrangea there so that would be another reason to get rid of the fabric. Suggestions/thoughts? If you think I should remove the fabric, what is another safe way to control weeds? Thanks!

Did we kill our shrub?

lorist202 — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:36:52 GMT

DH, G*d love him... He's a smart guy, but NOT a DIY-er. How frustrating!

He sprayed the mulch for a couple of weeds coming up, and he apparently oversprayed, because now our shrub is turning yellow in parts, and obviously suffering.

Is there a way I can fix this?

Square foot veggie gardening

SusieBW — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:11:24 GMT

Anyone manage their veggie gardens this way? Thoughts? Tips? Ideas? I just put in a 4'x4' raised bed this year, and planted it square foot style yesterday. It feels like there are a lot of plants in such a small area! Anyone care to share pictures of how you set yours up?

The back has tomatoes, beans and cucumbers, and I need to put up the trellising for them before they start getting big. Coming forward, there are a few peppers, some broccoli and then a bunch of lettuces in front. Oh, and one winter squash that will spread across the lettuce plots after the lettuce is done. Before this, I've always just done plants in pots on my deck, so I'm starting with just this one 4x4 square to see how I do. I've never grown lettuce, broccoli, beans or cucumbers before. I'd love to hear about your adventures with veggie gardening! I'm also looking for advice about some kind of bedding - mulch or straw or grass clippings - what do you use and to what result?

New to Gardening

lildevil968 — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:55:01 GMT

We just bought a house that has a veggie garden, and I really want to keep it up. How do I find out which veggies grow the best with my location, best time to plant? Also, I need to figure out a way to keep the Deer, and Bears out!

Help with a new house plant

loramag48 — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:36:28 GMT

I got this pretty sweet planter thing for mother's day. The problem is it didn't come with instructions... I'm pretty good at keeping my house plants alive but they normally come with the little card that says what type of light how much water etc. I'm at a loss for this bad boy and I really don't want to kill it. I know nothing about plants except that they need water and sun :P

Help Please!!

How do i landscape/install Mulch?

MrsSonny24 — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:00:34 GMT

I have a fenced in backyard, my plan is to do something like this:

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/4827/mulch.jpg

Only without the cement edge. Currently, i have grass up to my fence. Do i need to dig a couple inches deep by a couple feet wide around the fence, or can i do something easier. I want it to be easy to mow, so the edge needs to be even with the grass. Please advise. Thanks!

Peach Trees

ScarletB10 — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:56:26 GMT

Help! Anyone have experience taking care of peach trees? We live in NC, bought a house with 2 young peach trees and no idea how to take care of them. They did not fruit last year, they produced hard dark brown/black "pods' and not fruit. I saw info that we are suppose to cut back the buds and not let them grow fruit for a couple years, not sure if this is accurate. Also, they planted 2...is it necessary to have 2 to grow peaches? Like a male-female I'm guessing?? thanks! We plan on going to a nursery to ask but thought I would try here first.

Bumblebee Nest in Ground in my Garden

Poundridge — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:47:01 GMT

Help! I was cleaning out our garden and a bumblebee nest is located in the ground. Please help. Most of the treatment seems to call fr poisons, but I plan on planting vegetables soon. How can I get rid of the nest yet keeping the soil chemical free.

Thanks!

Ground Ivy-How to get rid of it!!!!

Golden42 — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:53:56 GMT

So the owner before us planted some ground ivy, which naturally spread everywhere. It isn't terrible to look at, but I am not a fan of how out of control it is getting, and so DH and I want to remove it.

We have attempted pulling it up, but it is so hard because of the multiple roots along each strand. Plus they tangle all up and it is just back-breaking work. We did also try a spray which was for poison ivy (which was also in there, fun times), but it didn't seem to have any effect on the regular ivy.

Anyone have any other ideas?

Newbie

Tifferz13 — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:59:49 GMT

So we've only been in our house for a little over 3 weeks and while my husband isn't a gardening person and I'm not really either I'm kind of wanting to get into it. We have these two bushes that are on our bank and I want to chop them down and start planting other flowers. However I don't know where to start... I know I want something that will grow back every year and something that's pretty but I'm a newbie!!

Fence Crawlers

Fluffycakes — Wed, 01 May 2013 07:10:16 GMT

Our neighbors have an ugly yard and unfortunately we can see right in through the chain link fence. Any ideas on a something to plant that will climb the fence and create a bit of privacy? We are just renting, so I would prefer not to invest too much money.

-Pacific NW location

-Hearty and low maintenance

-No eventual pests, such as ivy or blackberries

Thanks in advance!

Pond question

elektragreen — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:46:03 GMT

My H and I just bought our first home. It has what was probably a nice pond with a waterfall in the backyard. We want to take it out for safety reasons (I had a neighborhood friend drown in a backyard pond when I was little). It also would need a lot of work to get it back into working condition.

We don't know if we should dig the whole surround out and fill it in with dirt, or if we should just leave the surround there and fill it in. What would you do?

Ideas for a small, shaded bed under bay window

SuperMMom98 — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:50:11 GMT

I have a 12'x1' bed under my front bay window that I have been contemplating for 2 years now. The area is always shaded and there is only about 15" before it hits the bay window. Currently all there are wood chips there. Any ideas are welcome.

The season has begun!

Mrs.H. — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:25:41 GMT

Yesterday I mowed our lawn for the first time this year.

How many of you are the one who mows, vs' DH?

lawn has patchy grass and lots of weeds!

rtaggart613 — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:19:17 GMT

My husband and I just bought a house, and the yard has some areas where the grass is really sparce and rough and there are weeds, mostly dandelion, throughout our 1/4 acre. This is our first house/yard. No idea what we need to do. I'd really like to not have to tear everything up in order to get a nice grassy yard. Any suggestions??

DIY patio landscape

Funnygirl34 — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:32:16 GMT

We live in a town home and have a small patio (about 25'x10'). There is an unfinished 10'x10' dirt area that we would like to remodel. We were thinking pavers but really don't want to spend a ton of money and plan on doing it ourselves. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on what to do/how to do it cost effectively? Thanks!

Potting Soil Recommendations

49ers4Life — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:52:21 GMT

I want to grow herbs (thyme, rosemary, basil, etc.) what kind of potting soil do you recommend to get the best results?

Strawberries

dancingphalanges — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:04:10 GMT

Hey everyone;

This is my first time growing strawberries. I planted it last year, so this year they are starting to flower and produce berries. However, I am noticing that the fruit is coming out a bit small. They are ripening very nicely, and am able to pick berries just about every day between the 5 plants. They are out in the garden with their own space, and I keep the adequately weeded and watered. They also have access to full sunlight all day. Is there anything I should be doing differently? I have not fertilized them yet this year, so is that something I could do? The weather has also been good down here the past couple of months (but I cover them at night if it gets below 50). Everything else in the garden is doing wonderful. Any suggestions are welcome!

Winter Garden party ready?

eodfurniture — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 04:00:53 GMT

As the Winters set, it is time for the garden parties. But to make the party going, we need to have some good outdoor heaters. There are a variety of options like Commercial Patio Heaters, Flame Heater, Stainless Steel Table Top Patio Heater, Wall or Pole Mounted Infrared Patio Heater, and Umbrella Halogen Patio Heater. These are easily available and you will need to see what suits you the best. So be all geared up for a perfect party.

Ordering plants online

LaurLaurLaur — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 01:53:37 GMT

Any recommendations for websites?

I wanted to order from Springhill Nurseries or Michigan Bulb but the reviews are really mixed.

Pebble tec pool color

weddingbellenyc — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:35:28 GMT

Looking for some insight on pebble tec colors... Wondering what color you have , what color your water looks, and if you like it. Thanks

Hire a Land Surveyor before you start your project

dham63 — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:02:01 GMT

I'd like to suggest that people hire a land surveyor before they start the project.

We were installing a fence, shed, trees/shrubs, and water feature. We told our landscaper where the lines were. He suggested we get a property survey done before we start. I'm glad we did because the lines were not where the realtor told us!

This saved us a lot of headache and possibly upsetting the new neighbor. I went on Angie's List and was mis-lead by their "advertising". The surveyor they "most recommended" was not a full time surveyor and could not produce his insurance.

We found him to be a moonlighter. Check with your local BBB and do your research. We eventually found a land surveyor that was licensed and insured and was FULL TIME!

Word to the wise....If someone can come out right a way or on the weekends...it may not be a good sign??

Neighbor with ugly tree beds

vscrivano23 — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:46:48 GMT

We live in a brand new neighborhood and lot of our neighbors are doing little things to make their yards stand apart from everyone else. I may not personally like what some people have done, but whatever, it's their yard. Except for this one neighbor. He lined the mulch around the sidewalk trees with ugly red bricks. They are sideways so you can see the holes and it just looks sort of ghetto and unfinished. On top of that the trees are on the side of his property and almost look like they are in a neighborhood common area. I know he's probably trying really hard to make it look good, but it just looks really bad. Should I say something to our HOA or maybe just leave an anonymous note for him? I don't even think he's supposed to be landscaping that part of the street.