Front yard gardens

16 years ago

I found this on CNN. Considering that my front yard consists of weeds, bare dirt, and ugly junipers, I wonder what the neighbors would think if I planted vegetables and fruit there instead.

Here is a link that might be useful: Edible front yards

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Comments (3)

stevation
16 years ago
That's a cool article, Lilacs. Thanks for sharing. I've noticed a few people gardening in their front yards, but not any more than 5-10% of the yard is in veggies. There's still a lot of grass in the ones I've seen around here. I've always wondered, however, if people get stuff stolen out of their gardens when they're right out front. I don't think it would be a problem in my neighborhood, but I do wonder.

I've proposed a few times to my wife that we rip out the front grass and plant flowers and roses, since we don't really use the grass out front for playing or anything but decoration. She definitely doesn't like the idea, and I guess that's OK, since it's a pretty small grass area anyway, with large shrub and flower borders on both sides.
lilacs_of_may
Original Author
16 years ago
I thought about planting blueberry bushes in my front yard, but then I'd be afraid that the neighbors' grandkids might be over there plucking them. Might be better to plant something that kids don't like. :-)
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Jan, the local gardening programs have loyal fans but not much of a draw to the general population. We lost a great gardening columnist here in Mobile as well. However, my DH discovered him online at www.al.com on Sunday.....amidst all the football and other sporting events. I don't know what my DH would do without Bill Finch's help--it is his first year growing vegetables in the winter this far south. Even with our scattered freezes, this winter planting looks much better than his summer garden, which was beset with bugs and blight. Notice in the book that the only GRASS remaining in one front yard (garden) was a strip identified as a pathway through the beds. I can see that if the grass did not flourish, it would be easy enough to lift it out of there and you'd be on your way to a gravel or brick pathway...or maybe pine chips? they're good for drainage, right?
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Lingonberries will not grow in shade, and usually tend to prefer full sun. However, in hot dry climates you would need to plant them in partial sun (or morning sun) otherwise they can get a little scorched and dry out. Lingonberries do not thrive in hot climates. Even if you can manage to get them to grow they may not be very vigorous. Are lingonberries "worth it" ? If the bush is thriving, yes. If the climate is not so suitable, they will need constant consistent watering and even then likely will not thrive, in which case it would not be worth it. Lingonberries are evergreen throughout the winters in Sweden, they are well adapted at handling cold. Lingonberries are a very low lying bush and are generally more like ground cover. In terms of taste, lingonberries are similar to cranberries, but different in some ways. You can use lingonberry sauce to accompany fish, whereas trying to use cranberry sauce instead does not go well with fish. Perhaps I could describe lingonberries as somewhere between currants and cranberries.
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Comments (7)
Look at some garden photos online. They are everywhere! It's what I did before hiring a landscaper so that I had an idea of what I wanted and where I wanted it planted. You want to make sure you plug in the zone you live in and you will get better results. When choosing plants, you'll want to choose plants that do well in sunlight, if they are going to be planted in a West facing garden.
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@CA Kate, I have to respond making the presumption that applicators of herbicide use proper techniques and follow manufacturers instructions. If an applicator doesn't, there's no telling the possibilities that can occur. There are methods to control drift, including waiting for a less windy day if that's what is needed. If a neighbor doesn't control their herbicide application, there will be evidence and one must get after them about it ... like any other neighbor dispute. But to presume that drift will happen, when it may never happen, is to short-circuit all manner of possibilities. I never said drift is impossible. But one can't presume it is guaranteed or a unavoidable. Nicole, there's nothing particularly difficult about preparing a simple base plan that shows the walk, drive, curb, house footprint and maybe a few tree trunks, which would have everyone understanding the space. More than likely you have a plan you can trace in your home closing documents. Some people enlarge a google earth drawing to use for making a base plan. If you rely on some locals and think that just by throwing some money at them, you'll end up with something wonderful .... well, that's a crap shoot. Be sure to investigate samples of their DESIGN work to see if it is what you like.
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singcharlene
16 years ago
A few years ago my last house (in Calif) the previous owners did remove almost all of the lawn and went with a mediterranean theme with roses, citrus and olive trees. It was really beautiful. There was a little strip of lawn that I was going to rip out and make into an herb garden if I had stayed in the house. I'll probably do that to the little front lawn that I have now eventually.

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Front yard gardens

Comments (3)

stevation

lilacs_of_may
Original Author

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singcharlene

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Front yard gardens

Comments (3)

stevation

lilacs_of_mayOriginal Author

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singcharlene

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

lilacs_of_may
Original Author