Help please! Beginner and don't know where to start :/
Beth D.
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (35)
marshaaa (5b CO, Castle Rock)
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agoRelated Discussions
help-don't know where to start
Comments (7)Hi Jodie, A couple of thoughts. First, please take it easy doing this kind of work in summer. Drink alot of liquids and take breaks. Stay cool. It may be the angle of the photos but I hate to say that the bed area looks too small for the scale of those trees. You may want to come out further around the outer perimeter to make the whole garden look more in scale. Stand way back and take a good look. This may be the time to just work on gradual grass removal and putting down some compost and mulch. Then in fall, you could plant some plants. Fall is the best time for the South, usually. You could take this time to study the sun and shade patterns, drainage, etc. It looks very shady there, however, it may be sunny most of the day or have enough sun due to the high branches and the zone you are in. Also are the trees evergreen or deciduous, if oaks they are virtually evergreen. The plants you will need will be different depending on sun/shade, moist/dry conditions, and whether you can or want to water frequently if the plants you choose need that. It is so exciting to put in a garden, and you are probably very anxious to get it done now that you've started, but I hope you will consider some of my suggestions before going too fast. You might then have to move a bunch of plants or lose them. Also you have to consider covering the tree roots with too much mulch, I think 2-4 inches would be the max, but don't quote me on that. Luckily, you have a wealth of info on plants for DFW on the internet once you know the conditions....See MoreHelp! I don't know where to start
Comments (2)The only serious problem I see is the creeping charlie and possibly the unknown clumping grass. If you start with something like Brush-B-Gone now, and repeat applications every two weeks for two months, you should have all the creeping charlie out of there. That should take out the clover and dandelions, too, but there are much easier ways to deal with that. Weed-B-Gone should help with the clover. Just raising your mower all the way up and watering less often will keep the dandelions out. If you want to deal with hard packed clay, the easiest way is to water properly - deeply and infrequently, mow high, and then use organic fertilizer to help with that. The organic fertilizer is not necessary but it is helpful. Next step is to continue to water deeply and infrequently and to mulch mow at the mower's highest setting. Fertilize on the federal holidays if you are using organic fertilizer. Fertilize on the same holidays (EXCEPT 4th of July) if you are using chemicals....See MoreI need suggestions, don't know where to start.
Comments (12)Hi Skepka - welcome. I understand where you are coming from. It can be overwhelming. I've been here a couple of years & my advice is - keep reading! The appliance forum, the laundry forum & the kitchen forum. Lots of nice people & good advice from people who have been there done that & have no financial interest in selling you brand A over brand B. Go to manufacturers web sites (i.e. Whirlpool.com, Maytag.com etc.) If you haven't bought your new house yet all the better - you can keep this info in mind while you are looking! A few comments regarding your list: Fridge: We're also going with french door, but no water or ice on door. Instead we're doing under sink filter with fill spout over sink. Can fill pitchers etc. much easier. You can get them with cold and/or hot water but we're sticking with just a room temp one. We generally drink water that way & can add a couple of ice cubes if we want colder. As for ice capacity, you can get a separate ice maker but they are pricey & require their own plumbing. Stove: OK, I won't be much help here since my range is my big splurge. I'm going with all gas instead of dual fuel. I bake bread & cookies, but not a lot of delicate/fancy cakes & pastries. There are some very nice looking ranges out there in stainless steel. Sort of a pro-look without the cost. Vent: Had recirculating in last house. Never again. Only thing it was good for was removing steam from immediate cooking area. You could walk into our kitchen in the morning & smell what we'd had for dinner the night before. Grease accumulated on the walls & cabinets near the stove & were a pain to keep clean. DW: There seem to be a lot of good choices out there. Quieter machines & those with more cycles cost more. Some people have had problems with european design machines (they don't have a heated dry cycle) & dishes coming out wet. Others have no problem at all. Check out rack configuration - its hard to do online. For some reason the web sites don't have very good pictures of interiors. Many here have suggested bringing a few dishes with you when you make your final decision. It sounded strange to me at first but after moving last year I found I get many fewer dishes in this dw than the last. I'll be bringing a few with me when we choose. Microwave: there are some that are meant to be hung under an upper cabinet. We're doing a microwave shelf as part of a cabinet. Decided against built in as then would be more limited by size when mw needs to be replaced. Washer/dryer: Read the laundry forum. Folks over there know so much about laundry its mind-boggling. FWIW I've got choices down to Duet or Bosch. Good luck & have fun!...See Moredon't know where to start! ideas please!
Comments (19)Evergreens are most important in the winter i think. I use mine as anchors for the rest of the landscape....also i use the idea of focal points....the eye needs to be drawn to areas of interest, sitting areas, art, fountains or water ponds....i let that define what i plant.....figure out what plants you love...look at photos and see what you want to borrow ideas from...where you want your eye to go....what critters you have to contend with...we have deer that love everything i plant and especially my day lilies..sigh....i am a bit unorthodox and design by the seat of my pants so to speak.....i let the terrain speak to me rather than the other way around. Our terrain is a challenge....we do all of our own planting and building and wall making...i am 66 and do crazy stuff like lift giant rocks....my husband and i built the rock wall.....i built a grotto fountain in my backyard. I put in the small spitting fish pond one afternnoon just because i wanted someting to look at when i sat on the bench....the bench guards the knockout roses from bambi along with rosemary planted on either side of the bench...they dont like the smell....think outside the box.....i do art some too.....it helps me be creative maybe....look close...mama deer brought baby to visit and sample gourmet...lol......just be sure to love what you do...then it is worth the effort...See Morelizbest1
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agoSkybird - z5, Denver, Colorado
6 years agopopmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agotreebarb Z5 Denver
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agopopmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
6 years agoZachS. z5 Platteville, Colorado
6 years agotreebarb Z5 Denver
6 years agoamester
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agoamester
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agotreebarb Z5 Denver
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agoAlyssa C
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agoamester
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agoamester
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agoamester
6 years agoamester
6 years agoBeth D.
6 years agostace_s
6 years agoamester
6 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years agostace_s
6 years agococrazywoman
6 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESWhat to Know About Starting Your First Native Plant Garden
Fall is an ideal time to plant a sustainable garden that supports wildlife and looks good too
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Tips to Start a Garden — Can-Do Ideas for Beginners
Green up your landscape even if you're short on time, money and knowledge, with these manageable steps for first-time gardeners
Full StoryKITCHEN BACKSPLASHESWhere to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
Consider these designer tricks to work around cabinets, windows and other features for a finished look in your kitchen
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESWhere Do I Start When Renovating My House?
Eager to get going on a project but not sure where to begin? Read this practical guide to getting started
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARD6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food
It takes time and practice, but growing edibles in the suburbs or city is possible with smart prep and patience
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESWhat to Know Before Starting a Bathroom Project
A design pro answers the question ‘What 3 things do you wish every client understood?’
Full StorySMALL SPACESDownsizing Help: Where to Put Your Overnight Guests
Lack of space needn’t mean lack of visitors, thanks to sleep sofas, trundle beds and imaginative sleeping options
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES12 Tips to Help You Start an Edible Garden
Get on your way to growing your own vegetables with a raised bed or a few containers on the patio
Full StoryWORKING WITH PROSA Beginner’s Guide to Managing a Remodel
How do you make your design dream a reality? Here’s some project management know-how to help you work with your designer
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESHow to Decorate When You're Starting Out or Starting Over
No need to feel overwhelmed. Our step-by-step decorating guide can help you put together a home look you'll love
Full Story
Skybird - z5, Denver, Colorado