Please critique this restoration plan - zone 6b
Kris Shifler
7 years ago
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Kris Shifler
7 years agoUser
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Critique lawn restoration plan (thx paulinct, bestlawn, rcnaylor)
Comments (3)Soil prep is very important but I think you can simplify the process but not renting a dethatcher. You can easily accomplish the same results with the slit seeder, setting the depth to penetrate the thatch layer. You will be able to collect a ton of thatch after two passes. Then do your slit seeding at a deeper depth into the soil. Since most rental slitseeders are notorious for improperly calibrated seeding bins, I would recommend doing the soil prep with the slit seeder and broadcasting seed afterwards in two directions at half rate. You will get still more thatch produced with the soil prep passes but a modest amount of kicked up thatch will serve nicely as topdress. It is worth the extra effort to roll the lawn afterwards for better soil-seed contact....See MoreNeed planning advice for new part-shade garden in zone 6b
Comments (4)Well as tot the Japanese Maple you can keep them real small in the shade. I gave one that is 7 years old and barely three feet....See MoreZone 6b SE PA north facing front porch, red clay soil - help please
Comments (6)Thanks for the replies, everyone. I should have included a bit of back information that would better give orientation about my overall objectives. This first year or two, my main objective is to define the borders of the porch for my two large dogs. Until now, we had a pad and grass up to the pad (pad is the same pre- and post- porch construction) and they could exit the pad anywhere. Now, I want them to get used to exiting the pad onto the sidewalk in the center, because elsewhere will now be beds (and mud and mess and plants to be stomped). That's why I've bombed the front with the cinnamon ferns, to make a sort of visual railing while the dogs re-learn their exit, and while the beds age in with better soil and I get some other plants going (hostas, etc.). For the first year or two. It will be no problem to move the ferns around the corner when that time comes. I've always wanted a mass of ferns on this eastern facing side: My second objective is to create a streamlined mow line. The grass is maintained with a 60 inch deck mower so whatever bed edge I develop needs to allow the mower to move along it easily (I guess rather than undulating what I was trying to get to was smooth curves rather than corners, for mowing purposes). Third objective is LEAST maintenance from a hand weeding perspective. I know it won't be zero, but I'd like to have it controllable without being consuming. Fourth objective is "pretty." I'm not bothered with "curb appeal" in general as the only viewers are anyone coming up the driveway; this is not seen from the street. Eventually, I would like to grow and develop in a pretty foundation border. I got the ferns cheap and they will help my first objective. As I can, I will add more plants and soil amendments, so that is what I'm asking for - where do I EVENTUALLY want to go with this, etc. I appreciate all your inputs! Please add as you have thoughts!...See MorePlants for large butterflies in zone 6b?
Comments (10)The negative info against buddleias has two major points, from what I have read. One, is that it can be invasive and two that it provides only pollen. It does not add much to the butterfly population because it does not serve as a larval plant for any butterfly. Regarding the first point, one can purchase many buddleias that are almost completely sterile. Also, in many places it isn't invasive. One needs to check out invasive species for a particular area. In regards to the second point, us butterfly enthusiasts understand that we must have larval plants if we are going to help the butterfly population and to attract more to our properties. Butterflies need both--plants for their young to grow and plants for nutrition. Buddleias are, in my opinion, excellent nectar food for many kinds of pollinators, including butterflies. Here is an article that helps explain these things....See Moredchall_san_antonio
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