We bought our house in the month of October, moved in a few weeks later in November. While we were able to inspect the house from top to bottom (heater problems aside, I never thought we’d need to TAKE the blasted thing APART – ahem, still managing anger issues there), we didn’t pay much attention to the hibernating landscaping.
Come spring, we were in for another surprise (besides the heater – sorry, still mad). Seems the previous homeowners, in addition to their colossal lack of mechanical maintenance (yup, continuing to simmer), they wouldn’t know a hedge trimmer from a nail clipper. As confirmed by our neighbors, they didn’t exactly excel in the art of yard preservation. And as such, we inherited a yard with more weeds than grass.
After several seasons attempting to rectify the damage ourselves, but I’ll be honest, I am a black thumb. I have killed (melted) plastic plants, somehow managed to let mold grow in silk flowers. I should not be trusted with almost any kind of living flora. I am desperately encouraging my little pots of herb to grow, with only moderate success. Hub is a bit more successful, but I’m sure even he’ll admit this was bigger than both of us. So we got help. The front yard started to come to life, and looks pretty darn good for the most part these days. But the back yard, oh dear.
Once the weeds died, we discovered only a small patch of grass in the “yard” – the rest was dirt. Compounding the problem is 2 large trees hiding portions of ground, and every seed we sowed underneath them just looked up, saw the shade, and waved the white flag. Some fescue took root in funky little patches, so we considered that a success, but there were still giant swaths of hard clay to contend. This year, we attacked by planting St, Augustine sod pieces in a checkerboard pattern (because, holy smokes, grass is expensive). Apparently, this has pissed off the little remaining bermuda and now it’s trying to stake its claim. I have no idea who will win this turf war, as long as I end up with a new carpet of grass instead of the acorn cap studded rock. My feet can’t take it anymore.
(Still upset.)
Personally, I think the "traditional" lawn is more trouble than it is worth. Your serious lack of a green thumb scares me though... melting plastic plants? That has to be an all time record. ;-D If it weren't for that I would recommend "edible landscaping" - planting blueberry bushes for hedges, etc. If you don't eat them they attract pretty birds.
ReplyDeleteBut if it is lawn you want, have you considered native Texas xeriscaping? It may cost just at much to put in but the long term maintenance is much less of a headache, and the cost of watering is a lot less.
Interesting website discussion:
http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/sustainable/handbooks/lawns/1.html
This is what we are going to slowly transition our front yard into. Although I have seriously considered covering it in wildflowers and calling it a meadow. (Anything to justify not mowing in 100 gazillion degree temperatures.)