More musings:
Trees like roses; it keeps them company and decorates them.
Does rain make bs better or worse. Should I spray? Should I spray? Should I spray?
Rugosas are the perfect best friend--absolutely reliable.
I have Jaune Desprez and Veilschenblau climbing a 20' oak 'stump.' What if it rots? Will their weight be enough to bring it down; will their strength be enough to hold it up?
If I deadhead hips and leave on them on the ground where birds can move them all over the neighborhood so leaves and cats can bury them, will they grow into exciting new rose people or just rot?
Is it more important to retile the bathroom or rebuild the rosewalk?
Should I squeeze Dainty Bess into an existing bed or give in and get out the tiller?

Don't know about most of your queries, but can identify with the next to the last (as I tend to neglect the house in favor of the garden).

Re: spray - from my point of view, the answer would be no, no, no (else how could I eat the berries & the purslane?).

Where is Patrick when he is really needed?

*** How long will it take to dig up the front yard? What will the neighbors think? I should care what the neighbors think?

geo, it will take longer than you think. My neighbors thought (and said) "She is the hardest working woman I have ever seen" and "It's going to be beautiful". Nothing negative ever was said even though it looked like a construction forever. Can't say what they were thinking. Yes, you should care what your neighbors think because you're a conscientious and caring neighbor.

catsrose, good thought! I was wondering where I was going to put Jaune Desprez.

Work on the rose walk now, and when it gets too hot to be outside, work on the tile.

Get out the tiller. You'll have room for more roses.

Sherry

yes & no on the neighbors; they all have their own idiosyncracies, most are basically live & let live (although there are some that zoom through the complex with no consideration for children). And there is the neighborhood "watch" (thankfully now somewhat less with the downturn in housing). Was thinking of interspersing some wildflowers in with the assorted other plants (and I really would like to have a Marie Pavie out front-or out back, with Mystic Beauty out front) already comprising the front yard, so it might not take too long (especially considering I dug up the back yard last year).

Tiller? What tiller? I go with a shovel (digging yard, bringing in compost/mulch). More in commune with nature that way, I think (though the rest of my family does differ).

What effect do the fire ants have on the roses down there in Florida? Is it tough growing roses in sand?

Re. Jayne Austin - I saw your earlier thread, and all I can say is that you can live without her. She's absolutely no match for Evelyn in terms of bloom shape, color, and scent. She's not a diva either, but who cares. Get two more Evelyns instead. Or any of the other Austin grands (Jude and Sharifa are good choices).

Cheers,
Andrea

I don't spray. I don't believe in spraying. But I suffer a lot of blackspot and, this year, canker.
My neighbors are welcome in my gardens. They stroll over, are welcome to cut a few blossoms, take photos; they bring me cookies and kitty treats and fix my lawn mower. I care what they think. Neighborly.
It's a little tiller, not very efficient, but it breaks up the lawn and a few inches of clay. Then I rake the grass clumps out, add compost, shovel dance. I use it when I'm making a whole new big bed. Other beds just get bigger, rose by rose by rose.
Have to do something about arbors, ramblers, climbers. Most are still youngsters; I have maybe year before chaos ascends...This afternoon I tacked The Garland onto the carport. There was a whole lot more of her than I realized--third year leaps...