"wombn" <wombnhearmeroar@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:nlchf01a2j608oqbuc0dhtb0n2lqmqb6cp@4ax.com...

Decisions, decisions, budgets, decisions, hem & haw, read some more.

*sigh*

I just don't know what to do.

The sprinkler system is more than 12 yrs old. Only one of the
sprinkler heads still works. We don't know how to fix any of it.

Could you dig up on of the non-working head and take it to HomeDepot or Ace
and get the guys to find a replacement part?

Is there some kind of documentation about the system or just a switch and a
green path where the pipes leak under the ground?

And probably redesigning that section entirely because of the hedge.

So it may be time to dig up the sprinklers.

The side is already spaced for a hedge, but it has the root systems of
the overgrown privet that was cut down this spring in order to reach
the dying trees. So how do I plant among those roots without renting
a backhoe to yank the damn things out?? Is that Stump Remover stuff ok
to use in an area that will grow edible fruits?

I don't know. I have never heard of stump remover working. The folks
around here are pretty to committed to either getting a grinder or a
back-***** or decorating the stump. We tried planting some bulb things in a
root area. Digging the roots out was major hassle, but even so the growing
was very reduced. I think tree roots poison the soil against competing
plants. I would ask a garden expert about the specific root and new plant.

Then there are the areas never included in the sprinkler systems.
Stupid. A brick enclosed section across the front of the house, a bed
along the side of the garage leading to the front door, raised
(terraced) beds on the west side of the driveway and the weedpatch on
the east side of the driveway. Never included in the sprinkler
system. Stupid. So they have to be hand watered. STUPID.

Probably didn't want to tunnel under a sidewalk or brick wall or
something... or maybe they were added after the system.

The weedpatch is currently covered by about a foot of wood chips/leaf
shreddings from the downed tree canopies. I'm hoping it'll be ready
to plant by fall or spring. But I'll have to figure out a better way
to water it.

I wrote to a couple of dwarf citrus growers who gave me very good
tips.

But I didn't ask about sprinkler systems or planting among old roots.
One of them only ships in the fall and spring, so that would dictate
when the planting would be done. The other one is only about 30 miles
away from here and has trees ready to plant all year 'round. I wonder
if it really matters here. Both have good ratings at
gardenwatchdog.com

I wonder if a professional landscaper would help me plan but let me do
the grunt work? and how much they'd charge...?

*sigh*

decisions decisions.

They have those around here.
The labor is outrageous. The hourly rates vary widely. One shop charges
$200/hour for a crew of two plus equipment. Another shop charges $100/hour

for a crew of four and equipment. You need to find out what they can do in
hour though. The high priced crew brings a bucket truck, power saws,
climbing ropes, both guys are loggers- not laborers, they will bring extra
equipment at no cost- like grinders, shredders, wheelbarrows, rakes etc.
The low priced crew is four laborers who will not climb, the come in a
pick-up, they don't rake up their debris etc. Unlicensed, uninsured
'tinkers' around here work cheaply and for set fees instead of hourly, but
if they pierce the earth's core it is your insurance 'cause they haven't
any.

On the other hand, I tried my hand at cutting down trees. After only eight

or nine, I was out of it. I couldn't even face chopping them into sections,
or cutting the stumps off at the ground, or shredding the branches (there
were few of those 'cause it was so dense a stand). I called the tree people
out, BOOM. Trees down, branches turned into mulch, big ol' flatbed truck
carries away logs over ten feet long each.. two hours and you have a nice
yard area where a bunch of scraggy pines stood. You can get a good value if
you have the cash.

"wombn" <wombnhearmeroar@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:nlchf01a2j608oqbuc0dhtb0n2lqmqb6cp@4ax.com...

Decisions, decisions, budgets, decisions, hem & haw, read some more.

*sigh*

I just don't know what to do.

The sprinkler system is more than 12 yrs old. Only one of the
sprinkler heads still works. We don't know how to fix any of it.

I want to plant a hedgerow of dwarf citrus across the front and west
side of the front yard. Our front bedroom windows are level with the
street, so passersby can see all the way into the master bedroom at
the back of the house. I'm not aiming for 100% screening, just
creating enough of a screen than that it's not easy to *casually* look
in. You'd have to stop and deliberately peer through the branches.
I'd also like to be able to work in the front yard without having to
wave at every damn person driving by (I'm incredibly antisocial).
There's too much shade in the back to do any real gardening. So the
front yard is all I have to work with.

Anyway, putting in a hedge there would mean having to move the only
working sprinkler (and its pipes) downhill at least 4 more feet. I
think.

And probably redesigning that section entirely because of the hedge.

The side is already spaced for a hedge, but it has the root systems of
the overgrown privet that was cut down this spring in order to reach
the dying trees. So how do I plant among those roots without renting
a backhoe to yank the damn things out?? Is that Stump Remover stuff ok
to use in an area that will grow edible fruits?

Then there are the areas never included in the sprinkler systems.
Stupid. A brick enclosed section across the front of the house, a bed
along the side of the garage leading to the front door, raised
(terraced) beds on the west side of the driveway and the weedpatch on
the east side of the driveway. Never included in the sprinkler
system. Stupid. So they have to be hand watered. STUPID.

The weedpatch is currently covered by about a foot of wood chips/leaf
shreddings from the downed tree canopies. I'm hoping it'll be ready
to plant by fall or spring. But I'll have to figure out a better way
to water it.

I wrote to a couple of dwarf citrus growers who gave me very good
tips.

But I didn't ask about sprinkler systems or planting among old roots.
One of them only ships in the fall and spring, so that would dictate
when the planting would be done. The other one is only about 30 miles
away from here and has trees ready to plant all year 'round. I wonder
if it really matters here. Both have good ratings at
gardenwatchdog.com

I wonder if a professional landscaper would help me plan but let me do
the grunt work? and how much they'd charge...?

*sigh*

decisions decisions.

Sell your house and buy a condo. All this is too complicated. I

have planted *nothing* in my life. Well, wait a minute, I grew a bean when

was in pre-school. :o)

--
Teilhard Knight
The Extraterrestrial

Change "privacy" for "softhome" if you want to intrude my inbox

Sell your house and buy a condo. All this is too complicated. I personally,
have planted *nothing* in my life. Well, wait a minute, I grew a bean when I
was in pre-school. :o)

Subject: Re: Home ownership woes (landscaping issues, very OT)
From: Patricia

Decisions, decisions, budgets, decisions, hem & haw, read some more.

*sigh*

And these are only some of the reasons I am now, after 25 years of
house-ownership, a happy little renter who smiles when she hears the
landlord cutting the grass.

You have my sympathy, wombn, you really do.

Patricia

On Sat, 17 Jul 2004 05:16:10 GMT, wombn <wombnhearmeroar@comcast.net>
wrote:

Decisions, decisions, budgets, decisions, hem & haw, read some more.

*sigh*

And these are only some of the reasons I am now, after 25 years of
house-ownership, a happy little renter who smiles when she hears the
landlord cutting the grass.

You have my sympathy, wombn, you really do.

pink flamingos

wombn wrote:

Decisions, decisions, budgets, decisions, hem & haw, read some more.

*sigh*

I just don't know what to do.

The sprinkler system is more than 12 yrs old. Only one of the
sprinkler heads still works. We don't know how to fix any of it.

I want to plant a hedgerow of dwarf citrus across the front and west
side of the front yard. Our front bedroom windows are level with the
street, so passersby can see all the way into the master bedroom at
the back of the house. I'm not aiming for 100% screening, just
creating enough of a screen than that it's not easy to *casually* look
in. You'd have to stop and deliberately peer through the branches.
I'd also like to be able to work in the front yard without having to
wave at every damn person driving by (I'm incredibly antisocial).
There's too much shade in the back to do any real gardening. So the
front yard is all I have to work with.

Anyway, putting in a hedge there would mean having to move the only
working sprinkler (and its pipes) downhill at least 4 more feet. I
think.

And probably redesigning that section entirely because of the hedge.

The side is already spaced for a hedge, but it has the root systems of
the overgrown privet that was cut down this spring in order to reach
the dying trees. So how do I plant among those roots without renting
a backhoe to yank the damn things out?? Is that Stump Remover stuff ok
to use in an area that will grow edible fruits?

Then there are the areas never included in the sprinkler systems.
Stupid. A brick enclosed section across the front of the house, a bed
along the side of the garage leading to the front door, raised
(terraced) beds on the west side of the driveway and the weedpatch on
the east side of the driveway. Never included in the sprinkler
system. Stupid. So they have to be hand watered. STUPID.

The weedpatch is currently covered by about a foot of wood chips/leaf
shreddings from the downed tree canopies. I'm hoping it'll be ready
to plant by fall or spring. But I'll have to figure out a better way
to water it.

I wrote to a couple of dwarf citrus growers who gave me very good
tips.

But I didn't ask about sprinkler systems or planting among old roots.
One of them only ships in the fall and spring, so that would dictate
when the planting would be done. The other one is only about 30 miles
away from here and has trees ready to plant all year 'round. I wonder
if it really matters here. Both have good ratings at
gardenwatchdog.com

I wonder if a professional landscaper would help me plan but let me do
the grunt work? and how much they'd charge...?

*sigh*

decisions decisions.

im puttin up a 6' cedar privacy fence....now all i need is a hot tub to
get nekkid in.