Tearing out existing shrubs
Sandpaper Tongue
6 years ago
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NHBabs z4b-5a NH
6 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Tearing out some junipers - need tree and shrub suggestions
Comments (2)Thanks for your input. A picket fence definitely is not our style and would not blend well with the neighborhood. We will be putting a few skinny trees in at the uphill corner of the lot towards the street. They will be set back several feet so the line of sight isn't destroyed for our neighbors backing out of their driveway. Underplanted will be various drought-tolerant perennials. I'm not a huge fan of annuals. I'm not sure why I need to "frame the grass" with bricks? At some point we may put in a mowing strip of natural stones, but that is not a priority at this point. I'm considering putting in a dry stream bed leading to something of a rain garden to help deal with some of the water issues that we are currently experiencing and that I expect to compound with removal of the junipers....See MoreTearing out pfitzers...
Comments (2)We took out three huge ones and what a job. They are monster plants. Actually, my husband did it and I just cheered him on. He did get the roots but as you assumed, it took a great deal of strength. If you're dubious about tackling the roots, try this. Cut off all the branches. Wear long sleeves and gloves as they are very prickly and irritating. Then saw the trunks to as close to the ground as possible. You can rot the stumps by drilling holes in them, filling the holes with salt, and keeping them as wet as possible. Unless you remove the stumps, I don't know how you could plant trees or shrubs there. Groundcovers, annuals, bulbs, a few perennials would work. I am thrilled ours are gone and you will be too....See MoreLasagna around existing shrubs?
Comments (14)I did that last fall over an existing mixed planting bed. There was no grass there to kill off, but I used newspaper to kill off a few weeds and prevent reseeding of flowers that I didn't want to come back. I layered mostly leaves and grass clippings, a little other yard waste, coffee grounds, etc., keeping the stuff a few inches away from the plants. I only used about 8 inches total. In spring that old worn out soil was beautiful loamy black soil, only slightly higher that what I started with, and the plants weren't in holes. This fall I did something similar to a different bed with poor soil. I didn't use paper as there was nothing to kill off. I basically just mulched the whole bed with grass clippings and leaves about 8 inches thick, so it's not really a lasagna. I did it around the first of Oct. and a few weeks ago I couldn't stand the suspense so I had to take a trowel and dig down to peek and see what was happening. It's looking good and teeming with big fat earthworms. This was built up around small young shrubs like boxwood, leptodermis, japanese maple. So if you limit the depth of your materials and don't pack the stuff next to existing plants it works great. Karen...See MoreTear it all out and start over...?
Comments (18)I would reshape the beds a bit and get away from the straight lines. Soften them a bit with some curves and make them a bit bigger. You may want to also plant two smallish Magnolias on the front lawn just to break it up a bit or some other native tree. A bed down the walk way would get rid of lawn lawn look. You may just want to experiment with the plants a bit. I agree with some here that you need to get rid of the plants in the front and start again. Go for color but make sure that you pick similar plant material with PH and water needs. There is nothing worse than having to pamper one plant just because you liked the way it looked in the nursery. I would also suggest maybe breaking the front lawn up with some smaller beds towards the street. You can go to the book store or online to find pictures that may give you some ideas. The lawn doesn't need to be the whole front, but it could be used to accent a rather beautiful garden. About the back. For drainage issues try getting some Black Gypsum DG and spreading it all over the soil. It is best to till it in or just leave it on the top while you plant.This will help with the drainage naturally. Also I recommend using EZ Flow compost when planting as well as Biotone. And you can try the Humic DG as well. I don't work for these companies, I just know these products work fantastically. The back is begging to be all garden. It would be up to you what style you want and take your time planning. You don't want to go to the nurseries and buy cute things like I did and regret those choices down the line....See MoreLogan L Johnson
6 years agoSandpaper Tongue
6 years agoDave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years agosam_md
6 years agoSandpaper Tongue
6 years agoSandpaper Tongue
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoLogan L Johnson
6 years agoLogan L Johnson
6 years agoSandpaper Tongue
6 years agoSammy
6 years agoSandpaper Tongue
6 years agoDave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoLogan L Johnson
6 years agoLogan L Johnson
6 years agoSammy
6 years agolaceyvail 6A, WV
6 years agocecily
6 years agoDave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoNHBabs z4b-5a NH
6 years ago
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Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A