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Garden Gate:  My new front yard  |
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Lady Woodworker
True Blue Farmgirl
259 Posts
Karen
Chamberlain
Maine
USA
259 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 23 2012 : 06:26:55 AM
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Hello,
This week or next, our front yard will be torn out almost completely because our septic system has to be replaced.
I don't have much of a green thumb but I am looking to this as an opportunity to try my hand at landscaping.
It looks like I'll get to keep my lilac bush but my beautiful maple tree will probably have to come down (I am sick about this). This will leave NO TREES in the front yard. The tree is in a perfect location: it frames my porch without disturbing our view from the house and porch. If the entire root system is removed, is it okay to plant a new tree almost exactly (not exactly but close to) where the old one was torn out?
Across the yard I have a tiny patch of peonies. I want to dig up my peonies and move them -- how deep must I dig -- both digging out and re-planting? They may be just starting to sprout...
Should I try to cut my sod, roll and keep it for post-op? My husband thinks we should just re-seed, but the grass (especially on top of the old septic) is lush and thick. How would I go about cutting it? When I was a girl I once helped a family roll their sod but they had some big cutter for making the strips and I don't know what that was.
Our lawn will go straight out forward from the house, being very flat and then dropping off a small hill. This whole part of the yard is maybe 1/4-1/3 acre.
I am thinking of planting maybe three apple or pear espaliers at the bottom of the hill. Other than that, I can't think of anything to put in the front yard.
I don't have a picture to post but my house is a white farmhouse with a red roof, and a grey porch with white flower boxes that we fill with red geraniums. Red or white flowers work best, I think, but maybe I'm being boring...
Thoughts and ideas are gratefully accepted!
Thanks!
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
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rphelps4
True Blue Farmgirl
620 Posts
roxanna
westport
indiana
USA
620 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2012 : 06:50:31 AM
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| The ole-timers say you need to plant grass seed in the months with a R in them, for the best growth, good luck. |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2012 : 08:03:18 AM
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I'd plant fruit trees, and shade trees. Good luck. Keep us posted.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
Posted - Apr 25 2012 : 6:22:11 PM
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Okay Karen because we own 2 septic companies I am going to warn you. Do not plant any type of schrubs or trees near your new drainfield. You would not believe the number of septic drainfields we replace because of roots. Some of them only a few years old because the owner planted a tree or bush on top of it. It will take out your drainfield and you will be replacing it again. Any time your grass starts looking lush and green on top of your septic that means your system is starting to have problems and soon you will be replacing it. Just a little information.
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Apr 26 2012 : 04:53:58 AM
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Karen - Fall is the best time to dig peonies. If you have to do it now, I would probably just dig more dirt than you need to and just dig another big hole and pop them in just to ground level. Don't shake any dirt off and don't expose roots. They may not bloom this year. Good luck with your landscaping adventures.
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
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Garden Gate: My new front yard |
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My new front yard
