Girls Coffeeshop Talk

[Lion]

Carol, what kinds of trees do you have in the front yard which are producing shade and how close to the house are they???

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by Lisa

...Yeahhhhhh.... I mailed off the landscaping bill today.... it could have bought a new Air-King..... However, husband and I both agree this was money better spent.

OMG a watch reference in the coffee shop.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

OMG a watch reference in the coffee shop.

I think it's a first!

[abigsecret]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

OMG a watch reference in the coffee shop.

Very observant!

I'm lost on one of the plants in front of our house...
It's dying now, but only the one in the middle, all the ones around it, are looking great, what do I do??

[Lisa]

Mireyna, I can't tell which plant is the sick one.

This must be whatchcall a "xeriscape," or something like that?

[abigsecret]

Oops sorry, I thought it was obvious
The one I'm talking about is the Aloe type that has a big yellow plant going up high in the middle. The flowers are dead now, and so is the "aloe" in the middle, but I don't know what to do with it since the ones around it (they're all seperate plants) are still OK.

[away36]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Wow, thank you, Lisa!!

Hee hee - there's the Charlie Brown tree!

I wonder what the red bushy plants are at the first home? They are pretty. The second home is a little too overgrown for me, but I guess that is merely a matter of timely pruning. I love the third house's azaleas. They are just beautiful this time of year! The only problem is that azaleas aren't that pretty other times of the year. Plus, azaleas seem to be very persnickity. I am not a good enough gardener for tempermental plants!!
Junipers are nice - I need junipers (or cedars), I think. (random thought, here)


Leo and Nancy, I know you guys can help!

I'm gonna keep quiet on this one. I'm just learning myself about the shrubs and trees. It's been trial by error over the past 3 years. I've killed a $200 tree and at least 3 shrubs during my learning curve. I bow to Leo on this one!

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by Lisa

They are the dormer windows from Hell!!!!!!!

I cannot imagine getting away with those anywhere in East Anglia and West Norfolk!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the planning authority would ask that my qualifications are revoked.

I bet they have the potential to leak like a bugger too!!!!!!!!

The rest of the places are nice and sweet looking!!!!!!!

I'm in a bad mood today...I've just been threatened and chased off a potential site!!!

J

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

They are the dormer windows from Hell!!!!!!!

I cannot imagine getting away with those anywhere in East Anglia and West Norfolk!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the planning authority would ask that my qualifications are revoked.

I bet they have the potential to leak like a bugger too!!!!!!!!

The rest of the places are nice and sweet looking!!!!!!!

I'm in a bad mood today...I've just been threatened and chased off a potential site!!!

J

I wish I worked in construction design in the US...I'd have a field day, my whole life is spent designing little cottage style homes or chalet bungalows.

Bill might clarify but I think you've got to be a fully qualified architect to design in the US.

J

[away36]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Yeahhhhhh.... I mailed off the landscaping bill today.... it could have bought a new Air-King..... However, husband and I both agree this was money better spent.

Lisa, I was online with my son last night right up until my bedtime. At that point the "Roto Rooter" guy had been in his house for HOURS trying to get tree roots removed from the drain pipes leading from the house to the sewer. They couldn't run water or flush toilets. I'm almost afraid to ask him what THAT cost in the end.......if indeed the end has happened yet.

[away36]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Yeahhhhhh.... I mailed off the landscaping bill today.... it could have bought a new Air-King..... However, husband and I both agree this was money better spent.

What an odd place to talk about watches! I always thought time meant nothing when we were in the Coffeeshop!!!

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

I wish I worked in construction design in the US...I'd have a field day, my whole life is spent designing little cottage style homes or chalet bungalows.

Bill might clarify but I think you've got to be a fully qualified architect to design in the US.

J

Jim, I bet those dormers were added before the area became a preservation neighborhood. They are kind of... RIGHT THERE. The house looks startled!

We have some very cool homes in our 'hood - I'd love to post some pics of the really big homes a few blocks down. Some gorgeous examples of Tudor Revival, which is my fave. Maybe if I get out to find junipers for Caroline I'll get some more pics of the houses, too.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by away36

Lisa, I was online with my son last night right up until my bedtime. At that point the "Roto Rooter" guy had been in his house for HOURS trying to get tree roots removed from the drain pipes leading from the house to the sewer. They couldn't run water or flush toilets. I'm almost afraid to ask him what THAT cost in the end.......if indeed the end has happened yet.

Oh, no! I hope it's been resolved now. Do they make a plumbing snake with a grinding bit at the end? My FIL hates trees - and this is one of the reasons. That and those darned leaves cluttering up his tidy lawn.

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by Lion

Carol, remember I am familiar with a northern climate(Chicago suburb) so I will not know about all the plants that you can grow that I can't. But I do have the reference books and friends in the industry. So if you have some ideas about certain plants you want and like I can look them up and see if they will work in your climate!!!

Wow, Leo - thank you very much! I'm going to take some measurements in a bit and post them. We are definitely looking for all seasons, with different colors and textures.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

OMG a watch reference in the coffee shop.

Rolex watches, Rolex watches, Rolex watches, now you have seen three more references to watches in the Coffee Shop!!! LOL!!!
(I know I'm being a smart ass)

[Lion]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

Very observant!

I'm lost on one of the plants in front of our house...
It's dying now, but only the one in the middle, all the ones around it, are looking great, what do I do??

Mireyna, where do you live,how much water do the plants get, what is your climate like? There are a lot of factors that can affect plants. Sometimes for no good reason that you can see a plant will die. Possibly for this plant the flowering stressed out the plant so severely it couldn't recover. I need more information!!! Also what is with the tree with so many branches without leaves???
The plant in question is a Yucca filamentosa.

[Jimbits76]

Lisa

If I was working full time (still on 4 days bah!), this chap would be on his way to you...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/steiff-michiga...d=p3913.c0.m22

J

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Wow, thank you, Lisa!!

Hee hee - there's the Charlie Brown tree!

I wonder what the red bushy plants are at the first home? They are pretty. The second home is a little too overgrown for me, but I guess that is merely a matter of timely pruning. I love the third house's azaleas. They are just beautiful this time of year! The only problem is that azaleas aren't that pretty other times of the year. Plus, azaleas seem to be very persnickity. I am not a good enough gardener for tempermental plants!!
Junipers are nice - I need junipers (or cedars), I think. (random thought, here)


Leo and Nancy, I know you guys can help!

The red flowering shrubs look like Azaleas!!!

[Carolina]

Leo, I hope these pictures will help:

Facing the house, here is the left side. The little grove of Pin Oaks are only a few feet from the edge of the bed. We could wrap around the house to the chimney - I hadn't considered it, but it might look nice. The bed measurements are 12 feet deep (by the steps/railing) tapering to about 10 feet deep at the corner of the house - and approx 25 ft long. The foundation is 3 ft high, and the window is approx. 50 inches high.





Here is a photo of the right side. The fence that you mentioned is flush with the house, and there is a gate only about 5 feet feet in. So, the plants can't extend too much into the fence, as we need access to that gate. The bed is 12 feet deep at the steps/railing and tapers to about 6 feet. It's about 20 feet to the end of the house. As you can see, the ground slopes, and at the lowest point, the foundation is 4 ft high, and the window is about 64" high.




Here is the fence that I mentioned. Behind it, you can see a fort that my husband is building for the kids.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Lion

The red flowering shrubs look like Azaleas!!!

They are. Azaleas are picky in this part of the state. In the east, they grow like weeds. More acid in the soil. Here, you have to add stuff to make the soil more to their liking. I could even grow them when I lived in Tulsa. Now, they were in our original plan but I asked not to use them because I was sure they would endure a slow, painful death in my hands.

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

Lisa

If I was working full time (still on 4 days bah!), this chap would be on his way to you...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/steiff-michiga...d=p3913.c0.m22

J

Ohmigosh - you remembered my favourite Warner Bros cartoon of all time!

It's the thought that counts, darling!

[Lion]

Carol, how much top soil do you have before you hit clay? You may want to consider a raised bed using retaining wall(concrete blocks). You could raise the front beds 6-8" and extend the bed to the end of the fence, leaving room for the gate!!!

I have used raised beds(with retaining wall) all around my home and it looks very nice. Also the retaining wall does come in a few colors!!!

[jdc]

the red tree in Lisa's first picture could be a small acer, japanese maple tree

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by Lion

Carol, how much top soil do you have before you hit clay? You may want to consider a raised bed using retaining wall(concrete blocks). You could raise the front beds 6-8" and extend the bed to the end of the fence, leaving room for the gate!!!

I have used raised beds(with retaining wall) all around my home and it looks very nice. Also the retaining wall does come in a few colors!!!

How much top soil? Zero. We usually add peat, soil, and compost when we plant something. The clay is awful. There's a nice layer of mulch, but that's it.

The retaining wall might look nice! But it would probably need to be done professionally, which is $$ we don't need to spend right now. I'll talk to hubby about it, though. He has a lot of contacts, and may know someone.

How would you handle the wall, considering that the ground slopes quite a bit as you go to the right? Would you just step it down according to the grade?

[Jimbits76]

Woohoo

Ashes to Ashes is almost back on tv.

Lisa and Caroline...you two 80's girls would love this...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ashestoashes/index.shtml

J

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Ohmigosh - you remembered my favourite Warner Bros cartoon of all time!

It's the thought that counts, darling!

Of course I remembered...it's all part of the job!

J

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Ohmigosh - you remembered my favourite Warner Bros cartoon of all time!

It's the thought that counts, darling!

Actually I'd rather buy you this....


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A-Superb-Gents...ayphotohosting

J

[Lion]

Carol, for the retaining wall you could go either way it just depends on the look you want. I did not explain myself well enough. The reason for the raised beds is so you can incorporate top soil, peatmoss, compost and the like to create a mixture for your new plants(perennials, annuals, flowering shrubs, evergreens, trees) to grow into and get established before their roots grow into your hard clay soil!!!

With the retaining wall because your yard is on a slope, either way the base layer will have to be dug in. I like concrete retaining wall blocks(for lack of a better word) because they are permanent in that the concrete won't break down(wood timbers will decompose over time) but can be removed if necessary at a later time!!!

Either way it's a lot of work with the retaining wall. Now another idea would be not to use a retaining wall and dig down and remove about a foot of clay and then incorporate the soil amendments to the ground to get ready for the new plants. Again though it's a lot of work. You can also check around and see what also is available and what some of your neighbors have done!!!

I went with raised beds because with my arthritis it was easier then digging out the clay around our foundation.

[Ashley]

Everyone here has such beautiful gardens and knowledge about plants. I wish I had the space to grow a garden, calla lilies and tomatoes and roses, oh my!

[Lion]

Ashley, Calla Lilies(Zantedeschia aethiopica) need a very warm climate to grow in(i.e. Florida, lowest portion of U.S.A along the gulf coast,etc.....). The flowers grow from tender rhizomes which in climates colder than 20F(minimum winter temperature) must be dug up and stored for the winter!!!

Sorry if I burst your hopes!!!