"who would have thought.... all i wanted was more space.. boy that turned into a nightmare.. lol .. and i am a stay at home dad... WHAT WAS I THINKING... lol ..." Probably like I do. Unrealistic. Dreamer. Fantasy. But don't despair. Hope you can afford or already have a riding lawn mower or small tractor with some way to plow (not always a good idea but necessary for some things), small tiller forget it unless just a bed. And contrary to advertising, they don't break sod worth you know what, easier to dig it yourself and be done with it. If you can afford extra help now and then, especially until you start getting it the way you want it, there's no crime in that. I think it is GREAT overall. I can see my beautiful wildflower meadow I can't have, and a smaller version isn't going to look right in my small yard. I've put together wild purple perennial lupine, a different kind of daisies that I hope don't clump but not like ones I had before that didn't, poppies, purple and blue bachelor's buttons. Took years to find some purple or lavendar ones. I made my own mix to avoid weed seeds in the mixes you buy plus it's custom. I get suckers from that darn tree, and it split in half a couple years ago, what a mess to clean up! I'd get it taken down but need the shade for my partial shade garden. Seeds sprouting might be easier to pull up. Maybe yours are suckers? I have to get the pruners and cut them off under the surface of the soil, but more will be baaaaack. As to kids climbing trees, my own safe trees, what kid doesn't love a tree? But I finally had to shoo the neighbor kids out of my trees because one wasn't safe any more plus people are so litigious now, and I can't count 100% on my ins. If it makes your kids happy, it's worth it. I climbed whatever tree I could when I was a kid, but darned if when my daughter was in rehab, this poor family came in with a kid who had fallen out of a tree, don't know how high. I think he was almost totally paralyzed from a broken neck IIRC. Not trying to scare you, just make rules accordingly. Sure have to be careful with kids and riding mowers, read one or two horrors every year around here. You have to always be two thoughts ahead of kids anyway, and overprotecting them isn't good either. We survived. Somehow. I won't worry about the ph then. I can dig a hole but would rather not a big one lol. Maybe I'll dump them on my unused gravel/grass driveway hoping nobody will complain. Or just throw some in the garden areas for mulch, cover with plenty of leaves I've got in a huge bin. Not too worried about sprouted seeds, haven't noticed any yet. Whatever I do, I won't worry about ph any more! I'm with you on producing food. It's a huge amount of work. Unless you have plenty of jars (how many are enough when you're feeding a family and serious about it?), it's not cost effective, and the time could better be spent on another chore. Apples are terribly expensive in the stores now, and if you can grow berries, it makes sense to preserve or freeze those. The one exception is tomatoes, and not the Roma ones for general purpose. There is no can of tomatoes like home canned, and you can taste the difference in what you cook with them. I use my mil's easy method for tomatoes. Now. Used to water bath can them. I feel it's safe because tomatoes are acidic, you can easily tell when they spoil, they're easy to peel if dipped in hot water, cut up and cook in a kettle so they don't float, and so on. Canned peaches and apricots there's a huge difference, too. So I would those. If you want to know that method, just holler. One big thing is fresh greens; if you use a lot, and I should eat more, they're getting more expensive, but you can't preserve them except spinach and a couple others. You can preserve herbs like cilantro, parsley and who knows what else by freezing in ice, then breaking up and putting in bags in the freezer, better flavor than dried. I may try growing lettuce and salad greens under my lights in the winter, forgot to order seeds and not about to pay more shipping costs now. I'll be interested in hearing more about your highs and lows with your acres. If stuff grows out of control, no biggie unless it's in city limits where they police it. You'll hit stride in time and hope the kids will help. It will be good for them. Sorry so long here.

Tony, can I ever relate. The only difference is that I had never made a thing grow in my life before. The plants I received during the many hospital stays, I managed to kill within the year. I had three failed back surgeries which left me with no use of my left leg and foot, a back that I can no longer bend, turn or twist and lately severe Arthritis has attacked my entire body (especially my hands) and horrific pain 24/7. I was in deep depression for a very long time and perhaps if my children would have helped and worried about me as you do about your Mom, I would have pulled myself out of my world of self-pity a long time ago. Alas, I was not that lucky, however, one can only live like that for so long, before thoughts of ending it all take over, and I thank G-d for giving me the strength to find the will to search every avenue to help myself. Also, I have a family physician who is modern and not adverse to giving me enough medication (even narcotics) to take the edge off of the pain. When my youngest moved across the ocean, I bought a samll computer to keep in touch with her. I taught myself how to send e-mails and then I started wandering around the Internet. It was then that I came across GardenWeb and after reading the different posts for days, I got the courage to post and ask questions. You would not believe the many replies I received with all kind of advice on how to start a garden (some giving me sites where to find more info) Last winter I kept myself very busy planning my little garden, searching through catalogues, gardening magazines and the Internet, looking for perennial plants that have "good garden manners", as my garden buddy Newt taught me.I have several container plants and start working on them when it is too cold to plant in the ground. My garden takes up most of my time (even the many long sleepless nights). I agree with the poster that said that outside help can be very frustrating, however, if you have the time to supervise then they will do as your Mom would like to have in done. Who knows, I just might find another hobby to add, that will ensure that I have no spare moments to dwell on all the things I can no longer do (I was not born disabled) Also, I am not adverse to getting a little psycological help now and them when I need it most. I have to digress here for a moment and tell you that the great friends I found here on GardenWeb gave me a new lease on life. I still write to some and they answer when they are able. We exchange jokes as well as gardening information,links where you can find more information for every subject and seeing that we are in the same boat, in one form or another, it gives me the strength to carry on. (We understnad each other) Perhaps that is why I am so grateful to GardenWeb,and to this new Forum. The advice you got in the previous posts are excellent, and if I may, I would like to suggest that if you do build a raised bed, sitting on the wall and twisting around to care for the plants does not always work for everyone. I know it doesn't for me. I don't know if my solution will work for your Mom, however, I had four large (tall) rock garden stones with relatively flat tops placed in strategic places so that I can move around on them (not have to twist my spine). That way I am closer to the ground and can get my hands in the dirt. I guess I will have to leave the composting to purchasing it in a bag (not quite the same as making your own, I understand, however,it's the best I can manage.) Just one last thing, I have purchased some excellent "Enabling tools" through a Catalogue,the name is called Gardenscape, they have a toll free number, which is: 1-888-472-3266, the are situated in Toronto 416-698-5339, they are very reliable, guarantee all purchases and ship promptly. The Catalogue is Free. (I believe they are a GardenWeb sponsor) Good Luck, and G-d Bless Punky.

A nice "take with you to the garden" journal consists of using a recipe box (I prefer the 5"x8" size) and use two types of dividers (Alphabetical A-Z and Monthly Jan-Dec). I then file a card for each plant/tree/shrub by name of plant and also include plant detail/care/other information, where/when/price purchased, and where planted in the alabetical section. I also can place a photo protected by clear tape on the back of the card. In the monthly section, I file general cards noting "TO DO'S" that I would like to accomplish that month so I don't forget seasonal needs (fertilize, prune, etc). One could also add additional sets of alphabetal A-Z dividers in possibly different colors to use to further divide different groups (annuals, perennials, trees/shrubs, etc). You can also use the monthly section for other monthly reminders you may want to remember (birthdays, anniversaries, or special "to do" reminders). Hope this is helpful - Works for me!

Chispa,Oh sorry, that's not my primary email ... I will go look and respond today! Annie, we tend take three week international vacations because I'm always trying to amortize our flight costs! There are five of us and they think if the seat doesn't lie flat it is broken. After three weeks though, I usually could care less what I am looking at and just want to go home and sit on my sofa, have a bowl of cereal (with COLD milk) and play on gardenweb! So that would be a risk. I guess you might go thru that homesick phase and have to power through it. I don't think it'd feel at all like business travel. No getting up early and having to be sharp! No staying out late and having to eat and drink, sometimes with people who were tiresome or boring. And best of all, someone to share the beauty of the sights and surroundings. Oh and no high heels unless you want to!