Clover is really good in clay soil and is a cheap alternative. It stays green and is practically maintenance free.
If you want to put down grass I suggest you break up some of that clay soil first with something like this. I've used in on my lawn and it definitely makes a difference.
OP, please look into something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AUPQVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nS5gFbPBDRF2Y
I have a significant amount of small stone walkways/areas and a variety of weed species crop up every year. This thing makes short and rewarding work of it. Nothing like snuffing out weeds to embers, hearing them crackle and melt in front of you to bring a smile. Sometimes I can't help but laugh under my breath while I torch them.
Check into it. You can even pre-soak mulch beds and get away with using this around trees and other landscaping if VERY diligent about your aim and surrounding fire hazards.
Good luck, save your back.
First I dug out about 6 inches and added crushed stone.
Basically for the steps I had bought one pallet of 1-3inch stones and one pallet of 4-6 inch stones as well as a handful of flagstones that I bought by the piece real cheap from the leftovers pile (and I did split some of those down). The lowest few steps were granite slabs.
Mostly whatever was left from the stairs I used for the fire pit. The big pieces for the base were 3-6 inches thick which meant I had to dig different depths for the base so I don’t recommend you do that yourself, huge pain in the ass..
I did set the center part a bit deeper since I was putting the grate seen in link below in the bottom, and then the ring there is the second link.
You just need this sprinkler repair tool:
If you want a super quick and cheap upgrade to the garage door, get a set of these magnetic door accents.
They're cheap and easy to install (they're magnets, so just pop em on), and they look nice on that style of garage door (that's the same style we have). I put mine on almost 2 years ago and other than my toddler moving the handles once, they've been awesome.
Oh, and for that size of garage door, a single pack of those is enough - doing the double pack setup like they have pics of on the product page looks a little silly IMO.
Go to your local library and check out any books by Tim Newbury. He has spent a lot of time thinking about these long narrow gardens. You can also buy used books on Amazon.
I would absolutely not use that wildflower mix.
Read here: https://lifehacker.com/don-t-plant-those-bee-friendly-wildflowers-cheerios-i-1793370883
and here: http://www.cassisaari.com/bringbackthebees-another-misguided-conservation-effort/
Any chance to could feed a downspout into the buried pipe to take the water elsewhere in the yard? Maybe install something like a dry well and build a leach field off of it? Your municipality might even let you tie into the storm system if your having problems with flooding.
then it's your sump pump output. I would definitely repair it as the water indicates it's being used. Hopefully it's going to a underground water basin that will release the water properly. I would also advise if you get a snow/ice climate, you invest in one of these Freeze Relief Sump Pump Discharge Line Protection Devices as if the basin freezes or the pipe gets blocked, the water would still get outside, and not back up into your home/sump pump crock:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0754MDTJP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Second this! We used this industrial strength vinegar from Amazon and it worked extremely well. Ours is 30% but I’ve seen higher concentrates of 45%.
Note: it leaves a little white residue afterward but rinsing the area down eventually solved it. Try to spray directly into the cracks only.
I just planted some a couple of months ago as well. As others have said make sure you mulch around them. To make watering easier I got these:
Garden Armor New Easy Fill Cap 15 Gallon Slow-Release Tree Watering Ring … https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01BB9MC54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TM6R9HYARVG6HV5H1AXG
And I fill them up every other day
I'm not sure where you live, but I live in the US and bought a similar one from Brabantia on Amazon a couple of years ago and it's awesome! It's held up really well (we store it in the garage during the winter) and we can fit about 3 loads of laundry on it (sometimes more, sometimes fewer). There are others out there that are cheaper, but this one had good reviews.
Once you have an arbor up it is very easy to hang lengths of shade cloth from top to bottom.
You can buy it on Amazon or your local hardware store. There are also rectangles that have grommets in the fabric which makes tying it onto an arbor even easier. It comes in colors like tan, green and black depending on how much sun protection you want.
You could even build the arbor to suit the size and shape of the shade cloth if you want to make it more custom looking.
Felco bypass pruners are nice. I have used them many times over the years.
If anyone is looking for a slightly cheaper pair of bypass pruners then my favorites are made by Bahco. If anyone is left handed they also make left handed variants. I prefer them over Felco because they are more comfortable in my hand. Their fiberglass reinforced plastic handles are just as strong as Felco's metal ones but are lighter. Also, the steel in their blades holds just as good of an edge. If I am pruning roses for 8 or 10 hours in a day then the Bahcos are noticeably more comfortable than the Felcos for my hands.
Below is the link for Amazon but you can find it cheaper elsewhere for around $30 for a pair. That's a good bit cheaper than a pair of Felco.
https://www.amazon.com/Bahco-Ergo-Bypass-Pruner-PX-M2/dp/B000288W96
EDIT: I forgot to add that the spring in the Bahco pruners is significantly better. The Felco ones get grit in their spring and it causes friction over time and you have to clean it. Bahco's design doesn't have that.
Also, as I am pruning I will occasionally accidentally hit the locking mechanism on the Felco pruners and they will be locked closed after I make a cut and I have to reopen them. It only happens about 1 out of every 50 cuts but it gets annoying over the course of a 10 hour day. The Bahco design is far superior. You can still lock and unlock it with the one hand but it is impossible to accidentally lock it while pruning.
Something like this. Its a metal ring you lay your brick around - EDIT they are way cheaper at local HW stores.
I recently installed landscape lighting in my front and back yards and got it from Costco. This is the exact bundle I got (made by PM Lighting):
http://www.costco.com/9-light-Landscape-Lighting-System.product.11496042.html
Occasionally, this will go on sale for $100 off, so $599. Seems expensive at first, but it is professional quality and comes with guarantees. I replaced the halogen bulbs with LED's from Amazon and now can add more lights to the existing set-up. Let me know if you have any questions.
A neighbor of mine used this:
And I agree with Roundup or power washer suggestions.
EDIT: more appropriately this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N66FK7S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8RAHZHC695114GAN5622
Using ready made items one way to approach the curve would be to treat it like a gate.
Put an arched gated arbour across it so the corner looks like an entrance.
Kind of like the way you have the one panel right now.
Then attach fence material to either side. The one I linked might be fancier than you need, but it's just for idea sake. Have to check the height as well in case doggo is a good jumper :)
Weed wacker to edge and get out as much vegetation as possible.
Weed torch like this one to damage the weeds/grass that is rooted in the cracks.
That's not shitty, that's a huge area full of potential. You have a blank canvas to design exactly what you want.
I recommend this book. I bought my copy in the UK but it can be bought in other countries too.
The Ultimate Garden Designer by Tim Newbury.
The book 'The Ultimate Garden Designer' by Tim Newbury is superb and includes dozens of plans for all sorts of styles of garden, including detailed planting plans, that can be adapted easily for different garden shapes and sizes.
Just fill it with water and have a towel on hand. It really helps loosen up the mud that gets stuck between the paw pads.
Terrace board, 40ft rolls fir 20$ on amazon. No stakes needed just bury your shovel and wiggle it to make a wedge in the ground, then slip it in and pound it down with your shovel.
Debra Lee Baldwin wrote a great book on the subject. https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Succulents-Debra-Lee-Baldwin/dp/088192816X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1505412403&sr=8-3&keywords=designing+with+succulents
Should be at your local library or used on Amazon.
Mountain Crest Nursery sells hardy succulents.
It's a good idea to start at your local library. Check out a few books that look promising and go through them, making a note of photos and ideas that appeal to you. These will come in handy when you meet a designer and he or she asks you what you want.
There are also many regional design books on Amazon, like this: https://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Home-Landscaping-3rd-South-Central/dp/1580114970/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1508552802&sr=1-2&keywords=home+landscaping+midwest+region
The best way to start is to think about what you want/need out of your yard.
Make a list, something like: place to eat, place to sit in the shade, place for a grill, place for the dogs/kids to play, flowers, fruit trees, line to hang laundry, shed to store tools, etc.
Then make a scale drawing of your property and figure out where everything is going to go. You have all fall to measure and draw and all winter to figure it out. How to measure your yard for landscaping.
A good place to start is the library for garden design books, or you can buy them used on Amazon.
I found this one helpful.
I'd speak up. Go to him with a better option than a long pipe (which is ridiculous) Tell him to bury the pipe onto some underground rocks or an NDS pop-up. I'd also recommend this product, if you're in a part of the country that has snow/freezing temperatures.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0754MDTJP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
In the future though to prevent it, you need to continue to put down a pre emergent to prevent crabgrass from coming up. This product kills crabgrass once its here, you need to also prevent it from appwaring.
Buy a house with a large flat lot. Build mounds for your plantings, leaving wide paths for your dog. The paths can be grass if you don't mind mowing and edging.
http://www.sierraazul.com/mounds.html
Beth Chatto has a drought resistant garden with smaller beds. You could always scale it up to fit your property.
It also helps to install a doggie waste septic like this one - Doggie Dooley 3000 Septic Tank - WasteDisposalSystem to manage the poop. I taught my dogs to poop in that corner of the yard where the tank is, so it’s easy cleanup.
They're from Amazon Basics of all places. I was pleasantly surprised by them. They look nice, seem sturdy, were pretty simple to put together.
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Recycled-Rectangular-Garden-Planter/dp/B07ZVMQ9B9/
My secret is that I put down a layer of peat moss after spreading the seed. Example: here. I rent a spreader from my local Home Depot. The peat moss really helps maintain moisture to aid in germination. I’ve been surprisingly successful growing grass (fescue and Bermuda) on top of mostly clay soil using this method.
Mix with water & spay this around your front entryway, it works.
also comes in gallon jugs: https://www.amazon.com/Mosquito-Barrier-Liquid-Spray-Gallon/dp/B0013JMS5M/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=mosquito+barrier&qid=1626897173&sr=8-6
Also try to eliminate any standing water around your property
We put two in the front last year and made the mistake of not stabilizing them. Once they started to flower and those pedals got wet, the branches bend to the ground. You may be able to see the three straps attached to each tree which I put in place today to correct the lean each tree had assumed due to the balance issues last year.
It is starting to flower again and I want to know how to best protect the limbs as they will certainly be punished every time there is a rain.
I used these straps if anyone is curious:
Lawson Tree Stake Kit, for Up to 2 Inch Diameter Trees, 11-inch Stakes, 4.5-Foot Lines https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005TIA0E4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_K5TCAZHGFTDS9DRV9S7P?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Ive used these before. they're kind of a pain in the ass sometimes because they'll clog but they're easier than mowing around solid pipe.
Edit: make sure you get the kind that automatically roll back up.
I cover mine with something like this: AsterOutdoor Sun Shade Sail Rectangle 16' x 16' UV Block Canopy for Patio Backyard Lawn Garden Outdoor Activities, Sand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083CB8ZLL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PP06NHDB2TFECY18EFPG
Creates shade but doesn’t block all the light. Just ties on. Need to replace every few years but it’s pretty cheap.
NDS 80G Atrium Grate, 6-Inch, Green Fits Spee-D Catch Basin 6 in. Drain Pipes & Fittings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BVS0BE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_S4ESC33M1KZPF3HVX6BG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Weed Torch Propane Burner,Blow Torch ,50,000BTU,Gas Vapor, Self Igniting , with Flame Control Valve and Ergonomic Anti-slip Handle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZP63F17/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Y37YPYZXK9BGC8R4MBS8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Clover/grass mix is great overall. But to get things to grow better, is there any trees/shurbs that need pruning?
Removing some low branch, rubbing limbs, etc can vastly open up gaps for light.
a. Use grass suited for the area. For dense shade, fine fescues (creeping, red, chewings) all do great in dense shade. Also many turf type fescues do well, also. Something like this is a great basic mix. Your local seed and feed or landscaping supply may have something similar.
b. Make sure you you rake the ground to make little places for the seed to hid. Lay seed down, walk over it to press seed in. Cover with 1/4 in peat moss or straw (peat moss is best). Lightly water for 7-10 days 3x per day. Just need to keep seed and peat moss damp. Once grass sprouts, water much longer but only 1x per day then every other day, then once a week.
Water and fertilize. Water 1x-2x per week deeply. Try to get 1/2 in at least of water down. Use fertilizer like Milorganite (or menards organic type, or others are great). No need to worry about burning the yard, apply at bag rates.
CORE aerate in the fall. Either rent a core aerator at HD, hire someone ($50-150 depending on size and your location), or get one of these
These are pretty cool and they’re adjustable similar to the photo you posted. I’m not sure if anyone has listed these yet.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086ZZ9G8D?ref=detail_main_image_block_ivx_share
> Yes, it is completely solar powered. I purchased on Amazon, such good value for money for what you get , highly recommended: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SLZJ1HH
https://www.amazon.com/Cordless-Leaf-Blower-2-1/dp/B07MXH15ZN This is the one I bought. It’s lightweight, so if you leave it outside, the wind will blow it over easily, which happened to me and it cracked. I liked it so much I bought a replacement but I make sure I always put it away after using.
Wow power accent the front door. The clerestory surround around the door is an architectural element. Highlight it with a bold off door color such as a red. All those little plants and none are truly giving you the accent factor. Consider a weeping Japanese Maple like Acer palmatum var Dissectum 'Viridis', 'Inaba Shidare', Tamukeyama , or Red Dragon on a mound underplanted with Carex or Liriope or Geranium machorrhizum with two or three textural moss rock
If you’re looking for an affordable option we have had this solar fountain for two years and it works great when the sun is shining directly on it! We just bring it inside during the cold months tucked away in a box so it doesn’t burn out it’s motor. It comes with various tips to change the water pattern. You could do something as simple as this in a bird bath! I would go for it in a round center and plant around the edges to make a little ‘courtyard’ area - but I can be a bit traditional in my landscaping taste 🙂
I recommend getting a soil test. You can order a kit from Amazon or send a sample off for analysis.
Your pH could be off or your soil may need fertilizer. To grow anything you need to start with the dirt and then work your way up.
This little kit will get you started off in the right direction. I use this one and highly recommend it.
https://www.amazon.com/Luster-Leaf-1601-Rapitest-Soil/dp/B0000DI845
Books are always a good place to start, free at your local library or in different formats from Amazon:
Think about erosion control - jute mesh, straw or coconut blankets, etc.
I did something similar with a jute mesh blanket. I loosened up the soil, layed the mesh and put the largest bark nuggets I could get. The nuggets embed themselves and create a variable surface. The blanket holds them in place until they settle.
Plant a hedge with an arched gate to separate the utility part of the garden from the play and entertaining part. The hedge would extend from the corner where the tree is straight across to the other side, creating two garden rooms: a rectangular one close to the house, and an irregularly shaped garden room containing the vegetable beds, the relocated shed and your favorite fruit tree. Create a path to the new kitchen garden with flagstones in gravel.
A good book for gardens being designed from scratch (available used on Amazon):https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Garden-Designer-Tim-Newbury/dp/0600619877
You can get suggestions on https://www.arborday.org/.
Just plug in your zip code and read about various trees that are suitable for hedging.
Or check your local library for a book like this:
If you find that you like a book you can always buy a used copy on Amazon.
If you have time I would recommend a book by David Stevens. It's written without a lot of design jargon. Even a complete beginner can understand it and get something out of it, especially the first few chapters which ask you to think about what you want and need out of your garden.
Used books are available on Amazon:
Italian cypress are easy care trees and will help give your yard some privacy.
Olives and citrus also do well in your climate, although citrus will need watering and some have sharp thorns. Fruitless olives are best if you don't want fruit all over the yard.
Lavenders, santolinas, myrtles, box, euphorbias are all easy care shrubs. Rosemary and New Zealand flax also do well. Agapanthus and daffodils put on attractive seasonal displays.
You might want to go to your local library and check out some books about gardening in Mediterranean climates.
Like this one
Las Pilitas Nursery also has a good selection of California natives if you want to add some to your landscape:
The Sunset Western Garden Book is a good resource for California gardeners, available at your local library or used on Amazon.
Ok. I found this on Amazon and reviews seem to speak positively about treating Creeping Charlie.
Chickweed Clover Oxalis Killer 128 FL (1 Gal) - 0613 - Bci https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HCRM4S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_h-6PBbJPMD13P
I had to remove some big azaleas in my yard and to get to the roots underground I got a root slayer shovel and it really sped things up. Sooo much better than a regular shovel. The serrated edges act as a saw as you work and makes it so much easier to tear up roots.
I have one of these that I like to use. It’s pretty good at getting all the roots out. https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-3-Claw-Garden-Weeder/dp/B004S0PH1A/ref=zg_bs_553934_21?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QWWQDTSBRMZA96K42GAH
Here it is https://www.amazon.com/WORX-WG896-Electric-Trencher-Orange/dp/B00Q6EH7DW/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=edger&qid=1600089093&sr=8-3 and as you can tell, it does a fine job!
Aluminum. Something like this (not recommending just first thing i googled):
https://www.amazon.com/Dimex-EasyFlex-Aluminum-Landscape-1806BK-24C/dp/B00BQC1FUK
If you dont have geotextile under that rock though, I would rip it all up and redo though.
Someone in an earlier thread (not sure if it was this sub or not) said they used this surfactant which helps less the water tension in the round up type spray, so it sticks better to the leaves.
I’ve also that seen someone had luck with poison ivy killer on ivy.
Thanks! We love them too! Not super expensive either, 30.00 a pair from Amazon
Or you could add something like this to it
https://www.amazon.com/2-Outdoor-Water-Fountain-Faucet/dp/B010BA471G
run the rain hose along the edge to a planting bed
I would recommend something like this. It'll prevent grass from dying as the roots won't get crushed from vehicles.
I am in the same boat as you and actually just came to post about it as well. I have no idea what kind of grass I have in the backyard as it looks like a few different kinds. I'm located in Fresno, CA and this is what my backyard looks like: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN9iIEK-FMzNjyIsXNOeKj0uuLI07LuAOrCk04o5x0QmDb6JvwYH8NiOf8vYkvmIw?key=RFcxMTBvYWROUThhekt5M2lXdG80dHVacDlPWjln
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I recently moved into the house in August and I think some of the burnt areas are due to cutting the grass too low on a particularly hot day. Should I throw down some new seed in those areas or some Scotts Turfbuilder? It looks like there are some spots that the grass is growing back in the burnt out areas so I don't know if it'll all come back at some point. Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Party at the end of the month you say? No problem Amazon has you covered. artificial palm leaves
Mine is not as nice, but I bought a LandWorks electric wheelbarrow. Not good for professional use but i've moved sod, mulch, rock, pavers and almost everything else you can imagine.
It has made doing things without having to hire it out very possible for me. Complete game changer.
Here is something similar to shat I used, worked like a champ.
Power washing is step one. You can sweep NOXALL into the cracks. Then you can put in the sand filler or whatever.
NOXALL works so give it a try:
https://www.amazon.com/Miller-100502679-Granular-Vegetation-10-Pound/dp/B000A0L4KK/ref=sr\_1\_1?crid=34STT1RUVSHNH&keywords=noxall&qid=1669061474&sprefix=noxall%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1
How steep is the slope and what is your budget?
The budget friendly way (time consuming and labor) has already been mentioned and is using a combination of hedge trimmer, string trimmer with a brush blade, then digging out the root balls.
The more aggressive option (if feasible with slope) is to use a mini excavator with a thumb or track skid steer with a root rake/grapple
Regardless of what direction you go I would step this up a level and first spray with an industrial herbicide that you should be able to pick up at a landscape supply store. Doing this first will kill the root systems making them easier to remove and less likely to grow back.
I have had to deal with a lot of Devil Walking Stick, which by the sound of it, acts a lot like blackberry, and I have been most successful when I spray first then go through and rip it all out Amazon Link to Good Gloves
I know you said no budget, but these really have helped me a lot. They don’t make paws mud free, but they cut the mud down maybe 75%. Dog Gone Smart Dirty Dog Doormat... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H91QNST?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
$500 is a good start. First off you should decide if you want a lawn. You will need to mow it, so you would need a mower and to water it. A dog will be hard on it but it might survive.
Personally I would dIY artificial turf. I would start by weed clothing everything. Use the stuff that is more like cloth not the stuff that feels like plastic (it is a little cheaper but awful). Then I would turf right over the weed cloth. I Really like this kind: https://www.amazon.com/SunVilla-4X13-Realistic-Outdoor-Artificial/dp/B07FHYCZ84?pd_rd_w=Xg05U&content-id=amzn1.sym.e3c57661-e58b-4056-99f2-4f3bd38ca08c&pf_rd_p=e3c57661-e58b-4056-99f2-4f3bd38ca08c&pf_rd_r=3YR5HAPPBYJ1KZV4V0MS&pd_rd...
You wont be able to afford the whole backyard right now but can get a couple big rectangles. Your dog will love it and it’s very soft to walk on and so easy to clean up dog poop on. After a few days In the sun it will stick up. I would wood chip the rest until you can afford to turf the rest. If you want it to be pretty you could leave about 3 feet of space by the fence to eventually add plants.
I bought a 13' x 7' roll of fake grass for about $200 on Amazon. I use on part of my porch extension. I use it like a rug and roll it up when I need to use that part of my porch for work. When I'm finished I roll it back out. It has been 2 years and it is still in very good shape. Especially considering that I am not using it as intended. If you are not looking at making it permanent or want to try it out just lay it out and skip the proper prep steps. Done in 15 minutes. If you like it or as you landscape your yard all you have to do is roll it up and do the proper installation when you have the finances. If you seed or plant anything that will mean more prep if you decide to go in another direction. It is very easy to cut and shape.
At a minimum this
You can buy a short 90 degree extension that will allow you to get the door closed. I had a similar situation with a motorized screen. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074PWTQG4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Atlas nitrile coated gloves, they are indestructible.
I bought twelve pairs eight years ago and I'm only onthe third pair.
Get some suede leather or cowhide gloves. At my local hardware store I can find 3 packs for around 10 bucks and they last as long or longer than the fancy padded gloves for $20 or more a pop.
Something that looks like these, heres a 5 pack for 15 dollars from amazon for example. Then just replace once a hole shows up or wrap in duct tape. Used very similar ones all summer building my dry stacked rip rap walls and wont go back to a more expensive type.
Bender board is the easiest solution, just a long wooden looking plastic board that can bend and get staked down and drilled into place.
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Mark-Plastics-93340-Landscape/dp/B000PB4MGC
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Additionally installing a weed cloth under the rock to keep the grass roots from spreading will give you a sharper more defined line over time because the rock wont mix with the grass.
Also just using a larger rock size, which is basically an overhaul.
https://www.amazon.com/Agile-shop-Anti-slip-Cushion-Shoulder-Backpack/dp/B016GUROFG/ref=asc_df_B016GUROFG?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80676721523973&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=... Something like this might work for additional shoulder strap padding. Also, the nylon straps on mine were a little twisted, so I had to undo them and straighten them out.
Pythagoras said:
"Give me a large enough lever, and a place to rest it...."
You can them online. example here
The picture may not convey it well, but I just had nine bullet lights installed in my front yard and while I generally like the layout of the lights, I think they're way too bright. I really didn't want the "look at my house!" effect with the lighting, especially since my neighbors' houses are not really lit up at all.
I asked the landscaper if there's anything we can do to dim them (the transformer they installed just has a timer and an on/off switch) and he said for $350, he can buy and install a dimmer that can be spliced into the electricity between the transformer and the lights. That's an option I'll consider because I'm honestly embarrassed to have these turned on as-is, but I wanted to post here first and see if there might be other options.
One idea that came to mind was getting something like an ND filter for the lights. I asked the landscaper to give me the exact model # of the lights (since I can't see anything on the exterior of the lights) so I can see if there are any lenses, diffusers or filters designed for those lights. If I can't find something like that, I thought maybe I could get something like these and just cut out circles that would fit on top of the bulbs...?
Would appreciate any thoughts or tips! Once I get more information about what types of lights/bulbs they used, I'll update the post.
Thanks. I bought this to put on top when not using it, to keep it as dry as possible from the rain. I also have quite a bit of sand at the bottom, topped with a layer of lava rock. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B33ZQ89W/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_SARKKX9B3V4FJFXFRJV2_0
This stuff will take care of it. Make sure you use it with their "dial n spray" thing. It tells you how to do everything and is very quick to apply. Apply it once and it will take about 2 weeks for 80-90% of it to die off. Then apply it a second time and it will be gone. It will still come back the following year, but just do the same thing again and it will solve the problem. Make sure you use it with the "dial n spray" thing. It tells you how to do everything and is very quick to apply. I do this every year on my lawn, usually in August/Sept.
Syngenta Ant Killer is the best I have found. We live in MS and have red ants, and this stuff works fast and for a long time.
I read this somewhere and have no idea if it works. I just have it in my pack pocket the next time I have a deer problem...
The problem someone was having was deer jumping high fences to get at gardens. The fix they found was to run some fishing line about 4 feet back from the fence. The deer couldn't see it but could feel it when they bumped into it. So it would freak them out before they could get close enough to the fence to jump. Maybe you could run some fishing line in front of the plants to spook the deer before they can approach.
There's also this. Looks like it has mixed reviews: https://www.amazon.com/Havahart-5277-Motion-Activated-Repellent-Sprinkler/dp/B078HK12H8
Martin's Surrender. I battle the invasive Brazilian fire ants down south. For a nest that big, couple of teaspoons around the nest and they will be gone. I've tried lots of stuff, that's the best. Smells terrible though.
I've had wonderful results using this...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q3QQNC
Normally I use the smaller ones inside the house and would get decent results. This year I put 2 of these outside where the ant mounds were and havent seen any ants since. It wont be immediate, it will take 2 weeks or so, but it works.
Its basically the same things the pest guys use, Boric acid.
I just found it as I'd like to get this too. I'm a Brit so this is UK Amazon. But it should help you find it wherever you live.
Yeah just keep at it. Do a little bit all the time. Crossing the yard and spot a few? Grab ‘em as you pass. Got half an hour? Do a bit more. Just rained and ground nice and soft? You’ll get loads quite easily.
Ive a tool a bit like a trowel but the spade bit is long and thin instead of wide. I find it great.
However experiment a bit, everyone has a favourite tool for weeding.
I’m in awe of this backyard oasis. Excellent job.
I have two dogs and we found these dog rocks online that work great for stopping the burn spots from dog urination. We dump the rocks in their bowl, no pee spots on the yard. Brought the box to the vet to make sure they’re okay for the dogs and no issues. They last about 6 months.
If you can take off the downspout itself temporarily, you could try to find an adapter of the right size like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Flex-Drain-ADP53102-Downspout-Adaptor-Landscaping/dp/B002TN1NMK?th=1
In fact that one might just work if that bottom piece is just an adapter itself.
I want one of these so bad!
Buy one of these - https://www.amazon.com/Terro-T800-Garbage-Guard-Black/dp/B07JZDHBFR
Along with cleaning your bin, these really help to keep the bugs down. I usually buy one at the beginning of summer and it lasts until Fall.
I'm in Northern Cali and we're limited to M/W/F for watering due to the drought. Just find it odd that you guys are there yet.
That said, you should water less days for more time, get some of these: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005C5OP8G -- and see how much water you are really putting down.
I assume you are watching to see if you are getting good coverage but the gauges really tell me if I'm watering enough.
Yeah I wouldn't do that either lol. Fake rocks can be plopped right on top, no work needed
Buy some swing pipe and move the sprinkler head away from the corner. Maybe stick a big rock right where the sprinkler used to be.
Yes - was $1,000 when I bought it. Price has gone up (like everything else I guess)