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Post by tbird on Jun 20, 2015 14:46:40 GMT -5
I finally finished planting the perennial ornamentals I bought about 6 weeks ago! Welp - except for one that I'm not sure where to put it....I had an idea when I purchased it....but I must have misread it and thought it was for shade when it was sun. oops. I need to get more mulch from the garden center far far away - the tiny piece wood mulch for the veggies....I really hate to take the time to drive out there, but it should be for the last time this year - I think! - but if I make just a wee bit more progress today, than it will be a necessity. I'm finally starting to see "the vision" come somewhat to life. Not a lot, just a wee bit! it keeps me plugging away, seeing that. I am almost finished with the veggie areas, and then I can just maintain those while trying to make a nice cook out area. I want a patio type thing, and was thinking of getting just some of these pavers at the garden store that are 24" by 24" and maybe just doing 9-10 of those. - in a 3x3 or 2x5 pattern. But then I realized that with them that size - you really need your ground to be quite even and flat, so that would be difficult for me to accomplish, so maybe something else. I was thinking maybe just use the path mulch this year. Frame an area with half buried 2 by 6s, cover with the brown paper and fill with the shredded wood mulch....I really wanted that more permanent thing, but I don't think leveling that area is going to be on the agenda this year. Maybe I can think about trying to level it a bit and see where that gets me. It just needs someone in one of those mini bobcat things and about 10-15 minutes.....but I don't know anyone like that! So then I'm left with me and sodding shoveling.....and - welp - a couple of dedicated weekends! I'll think more on this! Hope everyone is enjoying their gardens this weekend!
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Post by tbird on Jun 20, 2015 18:13:43 GMT -5
I thought I was spent, but managed another 3 solid hours, and I finally got to some cleanup! LOL - I found about 3 coffee cups left in the yard! also - plates and bowls from taking out compost and coffee grounds, and there there were containers around - some still with things needing transplant and some empty. Corralled everything up to kindof sortof where it should be and swept the paths. I usually think things are so far gone that those niceties don't make much difference, but it really did! I had a brain-wave on my patio area. Get a piece of raw plywood and dig into the area and settle that in and try to get it all secured and leveled, a few inches into the dirt, and then do the pavers ontop of the plywood. I'll try to get it as even and supported all around as I can, but I'm thinking that the dirt underneath would tend to also level itself of any imperfection over time while the wood supported the pavers and prevented cracking. Let me know if this is crazy-talk. I also thought ply wood might be a good mulch to finally squash out that bindweed! lol!!! cut out circle for you plants I'm pretty sure that's crazy-talk!
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Post by ncgarden on Jun 20, 2015 19:01:25 GMT -5
tbird - you had me laughing with the coffee cups all over! I have been looking at some beautiful garden sites with these pristine paths using what looks like pea gravel - no weeds. But I realize they are all on perfectly level ground - of which I have NONE. Sounds like you are in the same boat.
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Post by desertwoman on Jun 20, 2015 20:53:10 GMT -5
I'm thinking the plywood isn't such a good idea. It seems expensive, it will break down (and plywood tends to have formaldehyde) and drainage would be an issue. And it will be a whole lot more work than is necessary.
I have laid a lot of flagstones over the years and sand is the superior way to do it. You easily scrunch the flagstones around until they are 'seated' well and even. Not knowing your patio area, you could over engineer it and consider building a simple frame to contain the sand. But once the flagstones or pavers are in place, you sprinkle a little more sand use a broom to broom it in to the gaps, wet it down and it will lock into place. Drainage is perfect. No cracking stones. You don't need much- it will depend on how thick your pavers are- but with flagstone an inch is usually plenty.
And sorry to say...the plywood won't squash out that bindweed. It will just meander to a spot where it can come up to the surface. It is tenacious!
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Post by octave on Jun 20, 2015 21:09:59 GMT -5
Plywood is not good for outdoors projects. When it gets wet the layers come unglued, but not all at the same time, and soon you'll have a mess. Plywood is also expensive. If you want to put down pavers you need to remove a couple of inches of topsoil from the area, rake it leveled (without going crazy about it), and put down pea gravel. That needs to be leveled the best you can. On top of the gravel you can place your pavers. Some construction sand can be used also as bed for pavers and/or to fill the gaps between pavers. I hope this helps.
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Post by Mumsey on Jun 21, 2015 3:32:38 GMT -5
I agree, the plywood will break down and your area will eventually "settle" or sink down. Sand or pea gravel under the pavers is the way to go. My dad would be happy to bring his skid-loader over and level it out for you! It's only, what, about a 6 hr drive????
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Post by tbird on Jun 21, 2015 7:37:33 GMT -5
thanks for the input everyone! I guess it was crazy-talk..... but - sometimes.....I get ideas...... ;)
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Post by octave on Jun 21, 2015 7:42:43 GMT -5
If you want to limit the spread of bindweed, you need to use some kind of barrier underneath the pea gravel. Professional grade landscape fabric or plastic are usually the best choice. Since your bindweed is so well established you may want to use two, three layers of material. It seems like a lot of work but it's really easy, and the results are long lasting.
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Post by James on Jun 21, 2015 8:52:37 GMT -5
Bind weed: (we call it Morning Glory in this area) has an extensive perennial root system. If you can dig out the roots and get them out, you can toss them in the garbage can, or if left high and dry, they will die. Also if you can keep the green off the roots will eventually die of starvation. It takes a dedicated effort to keep the green off. Then there is the seed ........ areas that have the stuff growing are likely to be infested with seed too that will come up. Like I said, it takes a dedicated effort to get rid of the stuff. Keep at it!
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Post by tbird on Jun 21, 2015 9:03:50 GMT -5
trying to gear up for the trip. I know I have to get this but it's hard to give up the 3-4 hours for the trip.
And of course, I'll have to take a tour of whats growing, and I could be tempted!
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Post by James on Jun 21, 2015 9:14:09 GMT -5
About plywood. There are many types. Some is made for external use and the glues are waterproof. This stuff holds up well even when it gets wet. So if you are shopping for plywood for out door use be sure to ask for the exterior type.
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Post by tbird on Jun 21, 2015 11:58:47 GMT -5
welp - I did it, got the mulch for the rest of the year. Good thing - I had $13 dollars of credit from the garden club membership from my previous spending spree...
I reeled it in, though. Nothing but the mulch.... Everything was very pretty, but had a high labor cost associated with it, as well as a pricey price tag!
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Post by octave on Jun 21, 2015 14:14:53 GMT -5
James if what you mean for outdoor plywood is marine grade plywood, it still must be varnished to prevent rot.
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Post by brownrexx on Jun 21, 2015 19:52:34 GMT -5
Outdoor plywood is also not really meant for ground contact. I don't think that it would last too long there.
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