skip to main content

New built up bed--no dirt to put in it--what would you do?

14 years ago

I have the timbers laid out, and will put them together before long--10'x 4'x 12" deep!! Yippeee, but, I have no dirt to

put in it!

Would any of you feel it's okay to plant hosta in aged composted horse manure--with composted mulch mixed in and

maybe a healthy dose of pine fines to top it all off with???

I can get all of the above, with little to no addt'l cost but hate to have a load of dirt dumped in the driveway to deal

with! I'm getting too old I think to haul such as that anymore!!!!! BEEN THERE AND DONE IT TOO MANY TIMES!!!

Look forward to any suggestions--just think--that much more planting space--I found it along our driveway--who KNEW???

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

botanybabe
14 years ago
I'd use that mixture you described in a New York minute! If hostas can grow in the driveway and alongside a country road, they can sure grow in a fine mix like that!

Just my 2 cents worth.

Lainey
paul_in_mn
14 years ago
I wouldn't do it - you'll just get discouraged when they grow too well and you run out of room and can't buy more. Just trying to help - lol.

Adding my 2 cents - you now have 4 cents.

Paul
Related Discussions
What would you do--dig 'em up or...?
Q
Comments (66)
Wow, jan, you make me blush! I'm glad you like my gardens and I'm sure that photo selectivity makes them look even better than they really are. I love my gardens but have always thought it was more a beauty as in *the eye of the beholder* more than anything else!! I have much to report but no time just now. We are set to take our grandboys to see the latest 'Winnie the Pooh' movie tonight! I have taken a lot of update pix and it will take me some time to upload them to Photobucket, but don't give up on me! Les--I agree with you, all our dogs are show quality, even if it's our own *show*!! And thank you for your kind thoughts coming my way about our small trauma this summer! north53, please let us know how your hosta fared with the Ash coming down!! I bet your arborist did do a good job, afterall!! Just have to add, tj, (I became off-topic with our dog pic) I agree with you--Standard Poodles should not be presented as foo foo dogs at all. We are amazed at Callie's agility and speed and predatory inclinations! Wow--this is NOT a foo foo or froo froo dog, although she can be quite the prissy, I must say! The froo froo cuts were originally designed to insulate the joints of the dogs as they dove into the cold waters after the duck kills! The shaved down areas were to facilitate fast swimming but the joints needed the protection of the longer coat. I prefer the puppy or lambs' cut myself, but we needed to 'clear' her coat to allow the steel-gray color to begin to be more apparent. They go through a brown or chocolate color stage first, then gradually the 'blue' that becomes their final coloring at about 2 yrs. More later...
...See More
Would you put THIS in your new house?
Q
Comments (37)
My DH has a bunch of "art pieces" in his office - which is separate from our main living areas. He tends to be more sentimentally attached to things than I am. I like the idea posted above about packing the piece and bringing it to the new home and deciding whether/not to hang it once you've been there awhile. If you are looking for honest replies, it does look '80's to me, because we had a similar piece given to us in the late '70's.
...See More
When do you put up your Christmas tree?
Q
Comments (60)
The first year we were married, I put up a live tree. The Sunday after Xmas, which happened to be the 26th, my husband went to church and I decided the tree was too dry and a hazard so I took it down while I had the house to myself. When my husband returned from church, he told me his parents and sister were on the way over to see our tree. I didn't know it was their tradition to visit each other to see the trees. Whoops. There's the tree on the porch waiting to be dragged to the curb and here are the boxes the ornaments are in. Pretty, no? Most years I don't put up a tree. I put up a tree the first one or two years we were married but didn't enjoy it so I stopped for many years. When my niece and nephew starting visiting us for the month of December, we did a tree again for 4-5 years. They will not be visiting this year so no tree is planned. When I do a tree, and it's live, I wait until a week or so before Xmas. If I use our fake one, I put it up the Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving. I don't have a set tear down day, it depends on tree dryness, my schedule, if I'm tired of the look and need a clean slate.
...See More
Show me your built-ins! What do you put in them?
Q
Comments (38)
mydogDaisy - LOVE those built ins! They are just beautiful! Yes, I too would be paralyzed with the thought of decorating that whole thing. I assume you are thinking artwork or mirror over mantel. I like that you did the TV to the side. That is ideal - our TV is above and only because we have a low ceiling is it not too high - but many folks with a high ceiling and a tall mantel put the TV up and it's just not comfortable to watch at that angle. What type of fireplace is that? A gas insert? If so, what brand? I have posted many questions on the "fireplace" board but no one has responded. I'm considering it for my own to avoid the soot and smoke damage to my white built ins. Have you used it yet?
...See More
Janice
Original Author
14 years ago
LOL you guys! Paul--thanks for trying but you know it's hopeless, right?

Okay--I have 4 cents toward 'Dark Shadows', any more 'cents' out there? ;o)
hosta_freak
14 years ago
Why can't you just do as I do,and buy the cheap planting soil in bags? Then just amend it with mushroom compost,and maybe some pines fines mixed in? Now you have 6 cents,and good luck.! C'mon Janice,you are lots younger than me,and that's what I would do,and besides,don't you have have a big strong hubby,or doesn't he get involved with your gardening? Phil
Janice
Original Author
14 years ago
Naw Phil--Steve doesn't have the interest, but he has been the one who has done anything that I can't
alone--but--he has a terrible back situation and that has definitely been the end of his ability to do
some of the heavy hard stuff, now! So--I do the heavy stuff, as much of it as I can! But-it seems to be
harder and slower for me than it use to be--better than last year, but still "the old gray mare ain't what
she use to be"!!!
mctavish6
14 years ago
I'm glad to be able to post again. I'd go for the manure plus whatever you have. It seems to me I've planted in aged lama manure mixed with pine needles in a pinch. The other day I was ripping out lawn (yes - 10 x 10 was too big, it's now probably 8 x 8). I had the manure and pine shavings. I bought 2 bags of potting mix which I could handle and mixed that in. It should work. Let's see pictures! Myrle
Janice
Original Author
14 years ago
Hey Myrle--SO GLAD you're able to post again! I see hubby had the time to work out those kinks--good man!!

BTW--you need to post that thing you sent to me, about housework--I LOVED IT!! I've never figured
out how to post things like that to a forum--no link when it's by email, usually!!!

I guess I'm going to have to do what I can do and hope for the best and yep--they ARE hosta, right!
Of course, you can do all you can imagine to give one an advantage and lose it, and yet you can
"throw one on the driveway...", you know the rest!

I'm thinking they must love to be abused, or at least have a high tolerance to it--unless you love it and have only one eye left!!! :o/

Related Stories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Get the Dirt on Potting Benches

By Becky Harris

Possibly a gardener's best friend, potting benches have some surprising uses both outdoors and inside the home

THE HARDWORKING HOME Where to Put the Laundry Room

By Mitchell Parker

The Hardworking Home: We weigh the pros and cons of washing your clothes in the basement, kitchen, bathroom and more

FALL GARDENING 5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden

By Therese Ciesinski

Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees

HOUSEKEEPING How to Relax and Put Housework in Its Place

If household disarray is making you stressed and unhappy, try approaching it with a different point of view

GARAGES Houzz Call: How Do You Put Your Garage to Work for Your Home?

By Mitchell Parker

Cars, storage, crafts, relaxing ... all of the above? Upload a photo of your garage and tell us how it performs as a workhorse

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Where to Put Your Overnight Guests

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Lack of space needn’t mean lack of visitors, thanks to sleep sofas, trundle beds and imaginative sleeping options

BEDROOMS Perk Up Your Bedding’s Personality

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Nix that whole ‘bed in a bag’ thing in favor of artfully arranged separates that speak to the imagination

BEDROOMS Double Up on Double Beds

By Shawn Gauthier

Increase your sleeping accommodations with this hotel-room trick that works just as well in your home

ARCHITECTURE Design Workshop: 10 Reasons to Put Craft Into Modern Architecture

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Technology has led us to expect perfection, but handcrafted details can provide something even better

REMODELING GUIDES Staying Put: How to Improve the Home You Have

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

New book by architect Duo Dickinson shows how to remodel your house to get the home you want

Sponsored

More Discussions

Green Mountain is still shipping hosta

3

New Hostas 2024

8

What do you do for mulch?

3

Reddy or Not this Spring

14

What are you doing Monday on Tuesday 43024

8