You all are so kind Mary- that huge shrub is a rhody.. starting to bloom right now- let's pray all this rain doesnt dash it all to bits this year! I hate that. Gotta Garden.. yes- I am goign to try the larger rocks when i get a chance :) You all can notice the difference? I look at these pics and think- gosh for all that work- it doenst show much of a change! :( Msscarlet- thank you for thinking my home is pretty. It's a little hosue- but i think it's kinda cute.. and i hope i get the cottagey feel across. I hear what you're saying about that blue spruce that blocks the view. it will only get bigger too... but here's the thing.. getting rid of that ONE might not make a difference- as you cna see in the pic- there is a HUGE one next to it and and even bigger one next to that one!!! haha. at first i hated them but I am rather attached to them now.. and this small one is the only one i can attempt to decorate for christmas. haha PLUS- there is actually a VAST amount of space betwee that spruce and the first corner bed by the house.. the angle the photo was taken at it straight one.. but coming from the other direction yu can actually see th ewhoel house.. i'll try to take different shtos for you guys and you can tell me what you think. Now Gladno1.. yours is the silliest question..hahahakeep bermuda grass out of my beds? You make me laugh!are you kidding me? what do you think i do all spring- march to may!! I dig out all the bermuda grass and re-edge my gardens.. it's horrendous. if anyone knows any trick- please tell me.. but i'm with you gladno.. this stuff is eveil. the only good thing is that it requires no water and stays short in summer and crowds out the weeds. however- it is EATING my driveway too.. can you believe it??!!! now you know why i need hired help right? all my energy goes into keepig bermuda grass out of my beds. haha

The best thing to do is leave it to heal on its own, although if the edges are jagged you can try cleaning them up carefully with a razor so that it heals evenly (don't cut too deep). Sounds like that might not be practical given how the height of the damage, but if you can it should be like a narrow oval that is pointed at the top and bottom. Over time the bark will fill in the spot and cover it just as it would normally cover the area where the branch was removed. Beware of anyone who offers to "seal" the wound with tar, as is sometimes the practice of landscapers. That would only serve to prolong the healing process and can do more damage in the long term. Some still do it to satisfy their customers despite knowing that it provides no benefit.

I agree with daemon2525. What about posting on craigslist, kijiji and other local boards? Say you have locally grown fruit for sale. If organic you might be able to find a group of individuals who would like to buy local food. Prices probably need to be pretty close to or cheaper than the supermarket on a per pound basis. If you have a busy farmers market you might do ok but what are 8 hours on a Saturday/Sunday worth to you?

Mostly that. :-) The tree roots you're not going to be able to do much about quickly; they'll rot over time and the soil will...become even more uneven, actually. Add a quarter inch of soil at a time in low spots to bring it up, repeating every six weeks in areas with grass to give the grass time to adjust. Areas that are currently bare can be leveled immediately but, as always, count on some re-leveling as it settles. Be sure to use top soil without much or any organic matter and don't use compost! Compost will rot away to nothing eventually and leave you with uneven soil all over again. Soil tests can be done immediately as well, just make sure not to get any wood chips or bits in the test. I can and will read Logan Labs and will generally at least give a try on others, but don't make any promises. Amendments aren't recommended during seeding or on very young lawns, so you're going to be limited this fall except in emergency conditions. New seed will require watering three to four times a day, even to the detriment of the existing grass. Fortunately, it doesn't require much water, but it does demand to be kept damp at all times until it sprouts, and for any mix with bluegrass in it, that can be a solid month. I do recommend bluegrass because it's a nice, self-repairing grass. And I don't generally recommend professional services without a lot of research because...well, a lot are less than professional. :-)