Lawn Care

[conscious]

I'm just starting to develop the one acre area of my property that's cleared and even after I figure house, gardens and shed, I've still got three fourths of an acre in the front that has to be taken care of. I definitely don't want to spend a significant portion of my life cutting grass so I'm trying to figure out other options. I have really sandy soil so grass doesn't grow well any way. My neighbor who has the same basic cleared area brought in over $3000 in black dirt so she could have a lawn (and then the moles tear it all up). Definitely not in my budget. I was thinking about having a small lawn and just letting the rest go wild but I don't think it will look that great. Maybe if it was really wooded (I've got some trees) and wasn't mostly brush it would be different. I would really like to have atleast a small lawn, if for nothing else to keep the ticks and mosquitoes down somewhat. Just wondering what others are doing.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Paul

[MELOC]

you could try one of the many ground covers besides grass.

[daytrader]

Call you local STATE DOT office. Ask them were they get their road side grass mix.

They will give you the supplier or the mix.

It is very HARDY, low maintance fescue with a great mix. They have had the best finainced scientist formulate it for your area. USE IT. Your tax dollars paid for it.

You may have to cut it from 12 inches to 4 inches 4-6 times a year and spray it once or twice. That is better then mowing it every week.

Use the tech your state uses. You paid for it. It will in most cases be a fescue mix with others.

I owned a large commercial landscaping company that I sold out to a fortune 500. I learned fast bidding State projects. You use what they ask for, FOR a reason.

My self, for the small area you are talking about. I would use a nice fescue mix for it. Mow it every week or two and be happy.

[clovis]

A couple of thoughts and ideas:

Pine trees will cover up good size areas, and you dont have to mow under them. They grow fast, especially if fertilized a little. Great wind cover and privacy.

Large flower beds with perenials can give some beauty. If you plan them right, you wont have to mow around them, just up to them, if that makes sense.

Just a few ideas.
Clove

[tn_junk]

I am slowly converting all of my front yard to raised beds, with veggies in them, with the exception of a small corner which will be a dwarf orchard. My back yard is mostly steep hillside and has been allowed to go natural. The area between my beds I will be able to easily trim with a weedeater.
Several of my neighbors are doing the same thing. Since I live in the 'burbs I've got to use every inch I can to produce.
If the local ordinances didn't prohibit it, there would be a goat or two around.
Why waste perfectly good ground on grass that you just have to cut every week?

galump