Pacific Northwest Gardening: Zhinu's new yard, 1 by joeswife

joeswife wrote:
Laura , you have an wonderful oppurtunity here.. my backyard project has taken me four years and I am still working on it, so I hear ya with the challenges. I would advise to go ahead and spray brush killer on the areas you have that is only weeds and grass, then cover with coffee grounds ( you can get bag fuls at any starbucks for free) let sit for a day then spray with water and turn the dirt over.. you mentioned how "dry and dusty" the soil is, I started saving my leaves from all my trees thru the winter in a huge pile, covered with plastic, and on warm days would turn that over adding coffee grounds. I work this into the clay here... I can't afford to have the lawn roto-tilled and stuff done professionally, so after a clay mountain left by a replaced sewer line, I now have green grass and established flower beds. It is awsome that you have that little area with the path, I would have a ball with it. I know brushkiller seems harsh, but it sure worked for me and you can plant seeds and plants in that area after about three weeks after adding in some top soil and gypsum. My daughter got me the "claw" for my birthday and have been using that kately. I fight burmuda on the north fence, and now since the new neighbors gave me permission, I sprayed the fence line with brush killer, and the yarrow I had in the ground I just went around it.. it is doing fine...my sister says there is some weed killer that kills weeds, but not plants and grass, but I have yet to find it. I still have my leaf pile, keep adding to it.. kind like a compost.. it is in the alley where no one can see it, and am spreading it over my new beds today. That ivy will eat your house... I have the whole north side of my house covered with it, but cut it at all the places it creeps off to. some I have transplanted to different parts that I wanted ground cover. it is mowable. I guess I am rambling, but I am excited for you.. I would be like a kid in a candy store at your place wanting to decorate with plants and flowers, roses and shrubs, understory trees, fruit bushes, violets, coneflowers, daiseys, sweetpeas, morning glories, and on and on, all of them seasonal, starting with bulbs and ending with the chrysamtumums.. I would love to send you some things, let me know.. Debra PS: I don't do well with bulbs in any location,, except for the whiskey barrell planters which I adore..

This message was edited Apr 15, 2009 9:29 AM