Joe21
06-10-2010, 04:23 PM
Gardening, yard work and other similar fun things can teach one a whole lot about life and the pursuit of happiness. Many years ago when we moved into our present home, a friend told me if I wanted a beautiful lawn with minimum maintenance, plan zoysia. He also said it would crowd out other weeds and grasses. It will tolerate a little shade but it will thrive in the sun. What he didn't tell me would fill one of those old Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalogs.
If you plant zoysia, be prepared to mow it once each week. It is one of the thirstiest grasses I've ever seen so be prepared to make a hefty donation to your water supplier each month. Don't believe that bit about it not being able to tolerate shade. I'm continually digging zoysia out from under shrubs and azaleas and places that haven't seen the sun in 17 years. As for choking out other grasses and weeds? Baloney !!!!!. I think my zoysia has extended the welcome mat to every weed and grass known to mankind plus a whole slew of unknowns.
I had a spot that needed new sod. I nursed that spot like a 3 month old baby at it's mother's breast. The street in front of my house has a small crack. There is grass growing in that crack that looks better than my lawn and hundreds of cars roll over that grass each day. Maybe I should have those cars detour onto my lawn.
Long ago I thought having my own grapevine would add a little prestige when discussing gardening with some of my friends. I was in the wine making business in those days of yore and thought I'd have my own source of grapes. I built a beautiful trellis and sturdy lines for the vines and waited for the vines to sprout. Heck, kudzu from a mile away covered the trellis before the vines developed a sprout. My grape vine venture didn't last long.
I have a small garden area in my back yard. A creek runs through my backyard so I have a source of water for irrigating garden, lawn and shrubs. For a long time my garden yielded produce for my family, neighbors and friends. In the meantime, little trees in my neighbors yards have became big trees and now my garden space does not get the sun it needs.
Tomato plants like lots of sun and the only way my tomato plants can get that sun is to reach for the sky. It looks like the only thing I can brag about this year is that I have the tallest tomato plants of anyone in Clemson. But, the problem is compounded. I will need a step ladder to harvest my tomatoes. That means I'll need a certified safety ladder to meet government regulations, other safety equipment that I've not even thought about and must be aware of all safety rules while on that ladder. The way things look now, i believe I will retire from farming after my 2010 crop has been harvested.
Who said gardening and yard work wasn't fun?
If you plant zoysia, be prepared to mow it once each week. It is one of the thirstiest grasses I've ever seen so be prepared to make a hefty donation to your water supplier each month. Don't believe that bit about it not being able to tolerate shade. I'm continually digging zoysia out from under shrubs and azaleas and places that haven't seen the sun in 17 years. As for choking out other grasses and weeds? Baloney !!!!!. I think my zoysia has extended the welcome mat to every weed and grass known to mankind plus a whole slew of unknowns.
I had a spot that needed new sod. I nursed that spot like a 3 month old baby at it's mother's breast. The street in front of my house has a small crack. There is grass growing in that crack that looks better than my lawn and hundreds of cars roll over that grass each day. Maybe I should have those cars detour onto my lawn.
Long ago I thought having my own grapevine would add a little prestige when discussing gardening with some of my friends. I was in the wine making business in those days of yore and thought I'd have my own source of grapes. I built a beautiful trellis and sturdy lines for the vines and waited for the vines to sprout. Heck, kudzu from a mile away covered the trellis before the vines developed a sprout. My grape vine venture didn't last long.
I have a small garden area in my back yard. A creek runs through my backyard so I have a source of water for irrigating garden, lawn and shrubs. For a long time my garden yielded produce for my family, neighbors and friends. In the meantime, little trees in my neighbors yards have became big trees and now my garden space does not get the sun it needs.
Tomato plants like lots of sun and the only way my tomato plants can get that sun is to reach for the sky. It looks like the only thing I can brag about this year is that I have the tallest tomato plants of anyone in Clemson. But, the problem is compounded. I will need a step ladder to harvest my tomatoes. That means I'll need a certified safety ladder to meet government regulations, other safety equipment that I've not even thought about and must be aware of all safety rules while on that ladder. The way things look now, i believe I will retire from farming after my 2010 crop has been harvested.
Who said gardening and yard work wasn't fun?