The Yard of Death
May 12, 2009My apologies for not blogging this week, but I have killer trees in my back yard. No joke. They’re called the Trees of Heaven (trees from hell, really), and were imported from China back in the 1700’s. Whatever. They’re demon trees, sending out a toxin to any surrounding bushes, flowers, or other trees. So all the dogwoods that I planted three years ago have died. My grass has all died (this has nothing to do with the alien trees; that was my fault). But, it does create a dilemma for me.
I’m a gardener, not a big-yard, mowing or a planting sod kind of gal. I hate to water (hence my xeriscape rock garden in the front yard). But now I need help brainstorming what to do with this:
I don’t want to put in all grass–the very thought depresses me (so much mowing). I would like a small patch of grass for the pup to run in, and then the rest…. Any thoughts here? I am looking for a cheap, environmentally friendly, and aesthetically pleasing solution.
Oh and the nasty white shed back there is not my house :)
This is why I love not having a backyard. No mowing or no maintenance. I like being cooped in my house with nerdy pursuits.
Have you thought about planting a meadow? (Not sure where you are.) Here in Kansas, some buffalo grass would quickly spread to cover things and you could add a bunch of wildflower seeds and pretty soon you’d have this nice meadow that you wouldn’t need to mow. You might have to cut hay at the end of the fall, though. ;o)
Yes, I wished I could be cooped up too at times, Ben. Sigh.
Hey Bryn,
I’m in Denver–so, the meadow look isn’t really in here :)
A friend came over today and gave me some ideas in terms of extending the patio. All depends on the concrete (now much to mix and pour, and how many friends I can bribe to help me :)
This is why I play on gardening applications on facebook. Sorry I don’t have any solutions =P but good luck!