Rip out your lawn for nature.
5 years ago
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Foundation plantings - rip 'em out?
Comments (7)Jeez, I guess I'm the only one to like the foundation planting. It is though, a little too much of a technicolor chorus line right in front of the porch for my taste what with the line of red alternating with green but I like how the grasses in front of the porch help visually integrate the grasses off to the sides of the porch. I personally hate the look of seas of mulch so it's nice to see mature plantings fill the front beds. And while I understand it must be a lot of pruning to do, at least you save time on the corresponding weeding that must be done when the plantings more sparse! My particular feeling is that the walk could stand to be broader in front of the house. It's hard to tell though exactly how wide it is now. If you broadened it, particularly into a softly curved "wide open arms" to the porch area rather than the right angle you have now you'd be able to move out some of the crowding plants nearest the door, maybe using those plants to create a bed on the street side of your walkway that could then be integrated into the "peanut" bed in the middle of the lawn that looks kind of out of place right now. I have trouble telling distance in photos though so maybe that bed is too far away to integrate comfortably....See MoreRipped out perennials -- now what?
Comments (10)Heather and heath are sun-loving. They come in all different sizes and shapes, as well as many foliage colors (some very odd indeed). Some change color with the seasons. Flowers are in the white-pink-rose-purplish range. I like them as a groundcover and filler. I also find the foliage attractive (some cultivars more than others), but I'm sure that doesn't appeal to everyone. Different cultivars bloom at very different times of the year; many put out buds months before blooming. I have four varieties of winter-blooming heath, all very low, and they didn't like being covered with snow for most of this past winter (very unusual for us here). The blooms fizzled. So if you have a lot of snow, cultivars that bloom at other times might be better. These sites will give you an idea of what's out there: http://www.heathsandheathers.com/hhweb_001.htm http://www.heathersociety.org.uk/index.html http://www.heathersociety.org.uk/handy_guide.html http://www.sylvannursery.com/hlist.html As far as hostas go, it might depend whether the sun is morning sun or afternoon sun. How about adding bulbs that bloom at different times of the year? Crocuses, daffodils, re-blooming or ever-blooming daylilies, Asian lilies, alliums, and so on. They'd add different foliage types as well as color. You'll have a lot more choice if you buy from catalogs or online. See the Daylily and Bulb forums. Now's the time to order for fall planting. We've had little rain all summer, and higher than usual temps. Parts of my lawn are dormant, and in other places, the weeds have taken over. I've learned to identify the two kinds of crabgrass, because one withstands the bone-dry soil better, while the other curls up and is near to death....See Morerip my lawn... hello virginia buttonweed
Comments (7)Miss Charlesanne..... If you are one of the anti-chemical/anti-grass catcher/anti-lawn people....as Tony Soprano would say...FUGATABOUTIT.................your lawn is toast. If you would like to keep your lawn, and make it beautiful, email me at apriljbox@hotmail.com. I would help you on here, but.....I can't take the heat from the anti-lawn/anti-chemical people on this forum anymore. But I would love to help you...my lawn is gorgeous...and I am a lawn person....See MoreCounter granite/wood decision: ripping my hair out! Help!?! (pics
Comments (54)stacey, I totally sympathize! It took me forever to make up my mind about countertops. My island sat for 2 months with no top at all because I wanted to make sure I made the right decision. I agree with holligator that most of your inspiration pics don't have both wood floors and wood counters. For example, in the inspiration photo you said was from mamadadapaige, the white tile floor supplies the contrast. They've also broken up all the wood with a very dark countertop on the perimeter. If you're looking for a top that will still look new in 3 years, I'm wondering if wood is the right choice. Wood is softer than stone and scratches and dings more easily. I have a wood top on my hutch that is stained to match my island. It has lots of scratches on it already. It's only been in for 4 months and I've had to use the touch-up kit numerous times; consequently, it requires much greater care and maintenance than my marble. I'm not going to push marble on you because I actually think the Costa Esmerelda provides just the right amount of contrast and would be the smartest choice for resale. However, if you're considering marble, you won't have any stains if you seal it a couple times a year. I'm not sure what type of marble appeals to you, but Carrera, for example, is much, much cheaper than any Silestone/Caesarstone and many granites. Perhaps you can ask people who have had marble for 3 years or more to post photos or share their experiences with wear and tear. And here's a photo I found on the Crown Point website with light counters and what looks like a wood top on the island. The wood top matches the floor while the island is darker. I like how they injected color with the backsplash, which along with the contrasting white of the trim and hood keeps this kitchen from being too monochromatic and ho-hum....See More- 5 years ago
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ZachS. z5 Platteville, Colorado