Notice to new members intending to register - from January 9th 2012

amazggrace · #26 07-08-2012, 08:48 PM

So, anyone know of a cheap ground cover that spreads quickly, perhaps drought resistant, but not a no water thing? I also would prefer if it did not die out totally at the end of season and then regrow in spring, reason being the weeds will then win!

Cara1947 · #27 07-09-2012, 05:50 AM

Sun or shade?

amazggrace · #28 07-09-2012, 10:06 AM

Well, I guess that would have helped! Sun

Cara1947 · #29 07-09-2012, 07:19 PM

Zone 9, sun . . . thinking . . . thinking . . .

Cara1947 · #30 07-09-2012, 07:26 PM

Take a look at this site. I thought it was awesome!

Happy choosing.

BTW . . . if you use a pre-emergence weed killer you can usually get a handle on the spring weeds . . . then the little ground cover is up and cooking . . . rest of the weeds will probably get pushed out.

amazggrace · #31 07-09-2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cara1947

Take a look at this site. I thought it was awesome!

Happy choosing.

BTW . . . if you use a pre-emergence weed killer you can usually get a handle on the spring weeds . . . then the little ground cover is up and cooking . . . rest of the weeds will probably get pushed out.

You know how out of it I am...and yet I believe there is not a link that you posted, or am I crazy my dear???

lmlindsey · #32 07-09-2012, 09:40 PM

Has anyone ever had any of the carnivorous plants? I was looking at my friends pitcher plant and it looked beautiful. I was looking online and researching and saw a cobra lily. Also really cool.

Cara1947 · #33 07-10-2012, 05:33 PM

amazggrace, it could be because I didn't paste it it . . .

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/suncovers.html

I see a few there I might want to look into myself. The speedwells look interesting.

Never did the carnivarous plants. I think most of them have a ghastly smell . . . or obvious reasons. Also, I've never seen in large ones . . . and I generally like my babies to grow up to be BIG boys and girls!

lmlindsey · #34 07-12-2012, 10:40 PM

Hey that link i really good Cara. I have been referencing back to it a lot!

Cara1947 · #35 07-13-2012, 05:03 AM

Well, in the recent storm I took 5 1/2 inches of rain on site in less than 24 hours. Some moving water (I really do need to work on an erosion project I have on my "to-do list") so debris needs cleaning up, but, otherwise, my babies (the plants) backstroked very well. Nothing washed out, knocked over, etc.

Won't have to water for a week or so! LOL And, of course, due to the nitrogen in the rain . . . everything is so green right now it hurts my eyes!

How did everyone else far who had this storm?

lmlindsey · #36 07-13-2012, 06:06 PM

That's a lot of rain! Good that nothing was messed up besides some debris.

No Rain or storm here. I think it stormed briefly yesterday but I am not even sure anymore because sadly I have somehow went back to my awful sleep schedule and am up all night and knocked out during the day.

Cara1947 · #37 07-15-2012, 07:39 AM

Got back into town yesterday . . . another 1.5 inches while I was gone.

The mosquitoes are big enough to saddle . . . and a few days they will be big as houses!

Fire ants have come in on the debris . . . and I'm using a chair to fight them off (managed to get several bites when wearing my knee-high boots and gloves the other day and I was only out a few minutes!).

Overnight, practically, everything has grown a mile high (love all that extra nitrogen that comes with Mother Nature's rain!) So, my mowing will resemble bailing hay not mowing!

Of course, the humidity is now at 98% with temps in the high 90's!

Complain, complain, complain. We needed the rain so badly and now my fears of a burn ban are vanquished for a bit. Such are the joys of living Mother Nature's ways . . . she always has a surprise waiting!

amazggrace · #38 07-16-2012, 01:22 PM

Yes, everywhere I tried to week those fire ants had taken over. Those are the times I will strip off clothing no matter who is looking. Not always the best thing to do doing. So, on to the complaint of the day...crab grass. I was wondering if there is anything I can put down to stop it from returning in the spring. When I pull it out, I know it is still all over underground. Just looking for ideas. It cuts my hands through leather after awhile.

Went through the link about the ground cover. Found out that the places by me carry nothing. Is there an online source anyone uses that is reasonable and has a miraculous collection?

Cara1947 · #39 07-17-2012, 07:13 PM

Sorry. No crab grass here. As long as that little tiny nut is under the ground, it will return, I think.

I have what I call "stump grass". It grows in tight bunches and the mower doesn't like it; the weedwhacker gags, and it's hard as a damned stump!

But, I'll figure out a way to best it! Wonder what I can put in my sprayer . . . hum!

**sidewalker** · #40 07-18-2012, 08:39 PM

grace.........what about just tossing out wildflower seeds???
Not to much care (well, until they die out and look all dead and stuff)
or maybe iceplant?
if you have frost they can be frost tender tho.

Oh and what take care of crap grass?? oops CRAB grass???
a goat. Only then you have turds. lol.
They have a spray for it, but Ive not used it. I try to stay away from sprays when I can.
That said, we have bermuda grass and that stuff will be around after the nukes hit, along with the cockaroaches and such.

amazggrace · #41 07-18-2012, 09:34 PM

Ok, bermuda vs crab, must look it up. Mine is now seeding with little stalks with stars on them. Beautiful really! I was at the store last weekend looking at the ice plant..and I thought..oh great, I could just start buying freeway plants.

I am no longer afraid of sprays, unless it is the area over the well. I am tired of spending all my time re doing my efforts. It is great for the waist, but damn..I am not making progress on this. I need 5 men for 8 hours for 2 weeks and an unlimited budget..of course good looking men would not be bad...ah yes..........i see it now.

**sidewalker** · #42 07-22-2012, 08:51 AM

info on crapgrass

http://landscaping.about.com/od/weed...crab_grass.htm

I was hearing alot about the organic method (corn gluten) but do not know if it works or not.

drought tolerant ground covers.
What about thyme or isotoma or phlox?
there is always ivy (hate it, but it might work)

amazggrace · #43 07-22-2012, 02:22 PM

I had run across that myself. I am not wondering if it is that, since it is blooming in these stars which sounds like bermuda. Does yours bloom in stars?

**sidewalker** · #44 07-24-2012, 07:39 PM

all I know is, bermuda (not a very obedient plant, does not stay in bounds.....lol) but it does make a nice lawn in summer. But dies off in winter.
crap grass......well......its just crap grass.
They both sort of have star like seed heads.

Cara1947 · #45 07-29-2012, 02:09 PM

I'm excited! Sept. 10-11 doing a two-day landscape design class at Texas A&M! Hoping to find out all sorts of goody info we can use.

Other than that . . . just hot and mowing my tail end off. The aftereffects of the rain are still kicking in!

NileMusiq · #46 07-29-2012, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cara1947

I never thought about old washing machine tubs! What a cool idea . . . especially for plants that will crawl through the holes . . . that must look spectacular!

Day lilies are easy and so many beautiful colors to choose from.

Hello MG from Arizona! Kindred spirits!

I just finished 4 hours doing my usual . . . chainsawing, stripping, and stacking. My stack was getting sizable (even for a retired firefighter!), so I burned this morning.

I've begun taking more time to actually stack my burn . . . lay the heavy stuff to the side . . . and jam those leaves, twigs, and small stuff as tight as I can into a specific area. I put the heavier stuff on top just before I burn. Sky high flames to flat ground in less than 20 minutes! I only have to push the edges in a time or two with my pitch fork . . . sure beats having to do several burns to get it all the way I used to do it!

Now for the laundry! YUCK!

THAT IS an estate! I want to come visit. WOW! Horses, you go Nimuay! cara, you know I was pointing this comment to Nim, you got in the way of my fingers, sorry. I was just put out by the fire department...no more burning for me. They just rode up smiled said hi we have to put this out and they did! Girl, chainsawing! You my Shero.

NileMusiq · #47 07-29-2012, 02:26 PM

I am exploring raised beds, containers and the ground. I am enjoying hot weather veggies and looking at flowers however...my greens and lettuces bolted from the heat. My herbs are doing great. I love gardening because you are harnassing God's beautiful processes and provisions and turning them into a rainbow of harvests. It fells, tastes and looks amazing. I DID THAT! lol

Cara1947 · #48 08-12-2012, 09:32 AM

I fell off the grid for a bit. Modem problems. Car problems. Work issues. The heat is unbearable, so I've given Janie a few weekends off, though I have sprayed and mowed and done some general "picking up". I sure am looking forward to fall.

I still walk around and am amazed that I've gotten so much done this year. I am so proud of myself and my self-esteem has been restored.

If you're in Texas and looking for grass ideas, try seedsource.com. Native American Seed has been coming up with some alternatives to water sucking St. Augustine that are more drought tolerant . . . and a bit less mowing. They've come up with some native seed mixtures that seem to do really well. I'm planning to use several of the mixtures when I get enough of my "forest" cleared to add grass/groundcover.

amazggrace · #49 08-12-2012, 02:21 PM

I am with you on this heat junk. I am trying to not beat myself up if I loose control of it out there. I can not work in this heat, so I will do some other stuff. I am looking forward to fall as well.

Cara1947 · #50 08-13-2012, 04:31 PM

I'm just maintaining. Not doing anything new. Water, mow, spray . . . come on fall weather!