Feedingly, It has been mentioned that you have English ivy in the mix which begs the question, is there more of it on the other side of the fence? If there is, it's not going to be very practical trying to eliminate it as it will keep coming from the neighbors. Unlike many others, I do not despise English ivy and consider it a lawn alternative for large shade areas. I once had a half-acre lot of which 50% was covered in Hedera helix. Actually, I found it to be the EASIEST ground to maintain as it required no mowing or babying. The only thing I had to do was 2-3 times per summer walk through it and spot spray any stray weeds that popped up. And sever (with hand pruners or a knife) any ivy that was climbing trees, of which there were a dozen or so. On some of the larger trees I let it climb up about 4' height and cut it there... I liked that look and didn't have to bend over to do the work! Where the ivy met my grass, I alternately sprayed a swath of Round-up (looks ugly while the ivy tips die, but residually acts as a growth retardant and slows the next growth wave down.) and then edged the ivy with stabs of a pointed spade. (I only did this about 2 to 3 times per summer.) Some people just let the ivy come into the grass. It only grows about 3' to 4' in before it dissipates, being unable to stand the short mowing. It is not much visible like that. Since my adjoining neighbors also had ivy at the back of their yards, there was nothing for me to maintain at the lot line. I had no ivy next to my house so none to ward off there. All totalled, I don't think I spent more than 3 hours (or barely more) per summer maintaining 1/4 acre of ivy. In your case, it would good not to allow ivy on the fence, but spraying a swath of Round-up a couple of times per season would take care of that. Ultimately, I'm suggesting that a row of flowering trees, with a green waterfall of ivy below would be a relatively easy thing to take care of, if one is not opposed to using Round-up and some pre-emergent herbicide granules. Establishing the space as a shade area would help. I would add that it might be some work to get it to the point of being weed-free, but once there, it would be extremely easy to maintain. If I was going to do this, I would relocate all the plants to be saved (such as Hosta) to another area, temporarily or permanently. Then I would work on weeds and simultaneously plant small trees like crape myrtle. If you don't cure the weeds before trying to develop smaller plantings, it will be futile. I don't think there's amount of weed pulling that will cure the weeds you have. As weeds are killed, it would be important to mulch bare areas to minimize any weed regrowth. Having been around the forum for a while now, I am certain that mentioning Hedera helix in a positive light will bring out all manner of negative comments against it. Many, it seems, would rather face a rabid pit bull than a sprig of ivy. To each his own, but it seemed to me that ignorance about how to properly manage ivy is pervasive. Previously, some argued against it based on another related species -- Hedera canariensis -- to which anyone would know is not the same plant, nor does it have the same characteristics. In spite of my love and adoration for Hedera helix, I know that if one is not knowledgeable or willing to learn proper management techniques, it can seem like an overpowering bull. So I'm not recommending that you go out and get some to install in an area currently devoid of it. I'm suggesting that if it's already there, and already in the adjoining neighbor's yards, learn to manage it and use it to your advantage. In spite of what people say, it has a lot of positive attributes.

I agree with everyone else. Clean up, trim up and use annuals. I like the curved walk, would move the trash containers to behind the chimney where they can't be seen from the street. Would put the glider on the front porch beneath the windows (against the house) and, instead of hanging baskets, would move a small table next to the glider with a pot of strong colored annuals--same thing on the other side of the porch--look at the arrangement from the street, use what you have to arrange a pleasing vignette. Would remove the vines. Edge the walkways and weed and re-seed the lawn. Clean up the flower beds, add annuals for brightness and sharp edge the beds. Same thing inside. Clean out closets, even if you have to rent a storage locker for out of season clothes, shoes and non-essentials. If you have a basement like mine (full to the rafters), same thing. Create the same sort of vignettes in your closets that you will on the front porch--pleasing configurations of clothes, etc. Look around the house for clutter and remove it or organize it/disguise it. Do this before you bring in realtors to take a look. Good luck. Cute house.

Hello everyone, I have just joined today, but have been reading the messages for several months. I live near Charlaston, SC. About 30 miles inland from the beach to be exact. I have lived here for 28 years. Grew up neat Blowing Rock, NC. My family had a huge garden each year, and wonderful flowers, and yard. For 25 years I lived at the beach, and never had the time to consider growing vegetables. I was a single parent, work and my daughter consumed all my time. Since 2000 I have remarried, had a bad auto accident that left me partially disabled, and in 2006 we bought this house and moved inland. My husband is not in love with the beach as I am, and he says we are to old to run from the Hurricanes every few years. It is very different here. Some good, and some not so much. My husband is from Europe and really into organic foods/products. This winter after throwing many tomatoes away he asked me to consider growing some for him. I love yard work, and I am pretty good with grass/flowers, but don't remember very much about the vegetable gardens my family had. Plus, I am in very different growing conditions here. I have heard horror stories about growing tomatoes. I have purchased some Early Girl, and Better Boy plants from Lowes, and want to grow them in pots surrounded by herbs. Can anyone offer me advice ? I am wondering how much space each plant needs ? My soil is a mix of red clay, and some sort of grey looking marbled clay. It sets up like cement. I can barely dig in it. Much different from the sandy soil at the beach. Never dreamed 30 miles could make such a huge difference. I bought some organic potting soil with Miracle Grow mixed in. Says it is specific for vegetables. Do I need to add anything else to the pot ? For example, I read that I should put pebbles in the bottom of the pot, mix the potting soil with my regular soil, then mulch with shredded paper, and pine straw. Does this sound right ? Oh, another site says put rusty nails in the pot to add iron, and spray with soap to keep down the bugs. Help ! I am very confused here in SC ! My plants are going to die before I can figure out how to plant them. I fear I am already to late as the heat and humidity are kicking in. My birthday is Tues, and most years after that this area turns into a steamer. Confused in SC, Linda

The bench is too short for adults! I've been looking at actual (new) adjustable benches and stools just to get an idea of the range and few come high enough for me to get my elbows right. (I'm short but still! My kid is shorter.) A quick google gave me this dealer's ad on the same model (note the dealer saying it's child friendly. It isn't unless they stand! Also note the faded bench.): http://www.chicagopianos.com/120409update2/hardman-minipiano.html It's not a studio...might be a type of spinet. It's not at all normal. 38" tall, 18" deep (excluding the handles in the back that keep it off the wall a bit), 56" wide. The top of the keys are 34" from the floor. It looks like the one in the ad may be missing the casters. Might be something to look at next time I feel like flipping a piano over. Sure, it's a Minipiano, but it's still a piano!