First off, you should understand that a weed is growing there because the soil is poor and the weed has no problem pushing out any grass that wants to come in. And, if you cut a weed...and not get the root....it comes back stronger and bigger than it was before. So, when you just cut them with your mower, you are doing them a favor. You don't want to use chemicals. When I hear that from some people who I think don't realize the importance of just what chemistry has done for us I recall a well-known ad from an American company... :better things, for better living.....thru chemistry. Your wish to not use chemicals then brings up the need to learn about "organic" gardening--natural methods of controlling how your soil grows plants. That is a long-term fix. The amount of soil problems will determine what you have to do. Fist off I'd say your soil is under-nourished. You could get a soil test done. Your local state funded college extension service is your best bet or possibly the local full-service nursery may do these tests. Soil tests generally will tell you what your soil needs to perform what plants you have in mind. If you do decide the job of getting rid of the weeds by inorganic method you can resort to the use of "Roundup"...a non-selective weed killer that will kill anything and everything green. It does allow you to re-plant within a specified time--usually about 3 weeks. Other broadleafed weed killers kills most weeds, but leaves the natural grass unharmed. I would recommend you do a complete aeration of the area with a rented machine. This removes plugs which can help relieve compacted soil. Then the plugs are allowed to compost back into the soil. Overseeding of grass (you choose the proper type) followed by topping of a good topsoil or compost spread 1/2" over the entire area every spring, every fall. This builds organic matter into the soil which promotes growth of grass and other plants. Depending on the size of the area, this can be rather expensive so the need to find a trusted soil dealer comes into the picture. Then proper watering and fertilizing can help bring you the lawn you desire. Again, staying 'organic' not using chemical fertilizers, can delay your lawn result. Do some research yourself about "organic gardening" and what that entails. You may wish to re-evaluate your wish to not use chemicals. The juniper roots that are still there are sending up stems and will continue to do so for a time but eventually will die off. Just keep cutting them with the lawnmower. If you decide to sod the area, you must get rid of any grass that is there. Sod will not root if it has to fight its way past grass roots already there. Digging up the area, turning it over, you should then add at least 6" of good topsoil (compost preferably) and turn that under. Weeds can be removed as you unearth them and yes, any weed roots missed will come back. You could treat them as you see them. If hubby has a propane torch, you can burn them out. Short term methods can also employ something that burns the roots. Window glass, letting the sun d the work, laid over the area will kill the weeds in no time. Vinegar will kill weeds but will also affect nearby greenery. Overlaying of a material that prevents sunlight can also work. But this method is long-term.

The absolute gall! You can dig up her plants on your property and put them in a bucket on her side of the line so she can transplant them elsewhere. Then get a fence ASAP! Good gosh, I would never in a million years let a neighbor dominate me about land issues, that's what deeds are for. She wants to have her lilies on your property removing your use of that property. Is she paying the taxes on that land? No. Is she doing the upkeep or maintenance on that land? No. Is she legally responsible for any injury that occurs on that land? NO! This is your property. Dig up her lilies and give them to her. Remind your neighbor that you will be planting what you want on your land and if she wants to remain good neighbors she should keep her mouth shut and her invasives on her side of the property line. And did I mention to get a fence ASAP? If you are going to let this woman trample you over ditch lilies then what will she do when it's a really bad situation. Do NOT let this woman take control of your garden and with it your life. She's into control and she's already controlling you.

I have lazy neighbors who have been allowing their two dogs to run freely and poop in my yard. It used to be an empty lot so I kind of get it but sorry, someone lives here now. After 3 years of going out to yell at the dogs or to actually chase them off (when I see them) and shovelling poop back to their yard the damn dogs still come over. I thought when dogs smell the poop they learn thats's where to poop? I must have sent 40 to 50 piles back to their side. The best part was just the other day either someone also returned them a present, in their driveway, or ome of their dogs actually pooped in the middle of their driveway. Karma is a b!tch. Anyway, dog deterrents DO NOT WORK so do not suggest them. Pellets were a waste of $$, ultrasonic repeller did nothing. I'm not wasting any more effort or $$ on solutions that don't work. And I'm not calling animal control. Range wars only make living in your neighborhood stressful. I want to come home to a castle, not to a war. We get along otherwise so why make things stressful? I'm not talking to them, either. They are already aware of the problem and really, I shouldn't have to ask you to clean up after your dog. Why are we all so entiltled to our rights over everyone elses's anymore? There is absolutely no respect left in this world which I think is really the crux of the matter. You can't ask anyone to do anything that they think infringes their rights. Uh sorry, but we didn't fight two world wars and countless others so it would be acceptable for you to be lazy and let your dogs poop all over. I'm done playing the game. I'm fencing the entire side yard on that side now, probably close to 200 feet. Enough is enough. No one else on the street of large yards has a fence out front so that part of it will stand out. But it's the only thing that will work. I know it's not an option for everyone but it is for me and I have no issues with the look of a beautiful 3 rail white vinyl fence with wire mesh running down the side. And landscaping the inside of the fence line will be fun! I will do the right thing and let them know I am doing it(no setback here so it's only fair to warn them). And when they ask why......problem solved. I'm sure the dogs will start going on the other side now; it will be interesting to see how that neighbor, who has 3 small children, swallows that pill.

Thanks, dchall -- I try really hard never to allow any weeds to go to flower (not always successful, but I try). Given how widespread this got, I'm not detecting any budding/flowering at all -- is that even possible? Some of the 'older' patches had actually started to yellow/brown and go dry -- no flowers. We live in SW Houston. During the summertime, DH mows at the highest level (so, 3"?). We had so much beneficial rain once a week last spring, the sprinklers never went on. During summertime, we've got the zones set to 60 minutes twice a week -- starting 4 a.m. It's not as though we've had much of a winter this year -- I think we woke up to less than a handful of mornings when there was visible frost on the neighbor's rooftops. But the grass has definitely slowed to a point where DH is mowing only a couple of times a month -- I don't think he's lowered his mower.