Mid-Atlantic Gardening: PLANT ADDICTS CHAT #4, 5 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
Thank you all for your suggestions....some of them I have already decided to implement....
Using the 3 composting leaf-bags from last year is one. They are close to "done'.

Sally--I save them until I know they have composted to the point where i can easily
mix them into some soil as an amendment. This usually takes 2 years.
I will do that!

As far as buying the Manure Humus--HD has them in yellow, "fragrant" bags
for under $3. Will get about 3.
Need mulch too. Several bags...I like Pine Bark. HD's hardwood mulch sucks.
How good are the "colored" mulches? I think their only claim to fame is that they
keep their color for over a year....guaranteed... They come in: Red, Black. and Brown.
$2.97 per bag Who knows what's in it?

Terri-- Thanks for the offer of help. I may take you up on it....someday....
I don't think a bunch of people is needed here for just digging up this bed.
It is about 16" high. You have to step into it to dig in there...I will manage.....
I can haul once I get started.

NOW---What I might need future help for is digging up those old Junipers--NOT that I have
given that much thought--but it would look nicer. Then I could plant new shrubbery there..
As I said...somewhere here....no one can tell that there are 2 windows behind these Junipers!
They are to the 3rd level down of my house--the club room level.The old "Party Level".....;o)
This would require a small back hoe, as the roots are nasty...all exposed in the back.
The soil has not been touched there for 46 years! That is also how old these Junipers are.
The two Hemlocks need to go too. I would love to have 2 Hinoki Cypress in their place.
LOVE that evergreen!

It would be nice to "spiff up" the looks of my house's landscaping. Never know when it may
need to be sold....Hope my daughter would want to move into it when I am 'gone'...

Getting morbid here.....better stop! Gita

Went out and took these pictures on this topic.

1--Just trimmed the Junipers a week ago. They look good-for now.
You can see a smidge of the windows behind them

2--Here are both windows that are not visible behind the Junipers

3--Here is a view of the back side of one of the Junipers

4--Here is the back of the one closer to the door.
The snake-like roots are to the Hemlock by the door. You can see it in the 1st picture.

5--A prettier sight. My IKEA shelf by the unused kitchen door--full of blooming
Holiday cactus. The one on the right is the "JB's "Peaches and Cream"
They are all starting to bloom now. Will be taking a close-up picture of each
as they bloom. Just for the record--and to show you all.