Comments on: Where there once was lawn – a new fieldstone path http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/376 Susan Harris's blog about eco-friendly and urban gardening, plus the adventures of a DC-based garden writer, coach and occasional rabble-rowser. Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:52:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Benjamin http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/376/comment-page-1#comment-1505 Benjamin Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:15:24 +0000 http://beyondsustainablegardening.com/?p=376#comment-1505 Yes, ANY path is good, and I never subscribe to two person width. If I wanted two people in my garden at once I'd have two of me. Besides, you have to be forced into plants sometimes, to touch and smell them. I also had the same experience picking 80 steppers this summer--awful. I finally just said deliver any ole pallaet to my house and hopefully they'll work, and they did. And yes, taking it slow is always good adive--don't we all tend to go too fast? Like opening christmas presents when you're 7? Yes, ANY path is good, and I never subscribe to two person width. If I wanted two people in my garden at once I’d have two of me. Besides, you have to be forced into plants sometimes, to touch and smell them. I also had the same experience picking 80 steppers this summer–awful. I finally just said deliver any ole pallaet to my house and hopefully they’ll work, and they did. And yes, taking it slow is always good adive–don’t we all tend to go too fast? Like opening christmas presents when you’re 7?

]]> By: Kathy J, Washington Gardener http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/376/comment-page-1#comment-1504 Kathy J, Washington Gardener Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:25:04 +0000 http://beyondsustainablegardening.com/?p=376#comment-1504 As I read your complaint about stone yards I was thinking, "I should tell Susan to go insteadto Jack Irwin's" - and lo, when I hot the link - it was Irwin'd that you went to and disliked - LOL. All I can say is Irwin's is MUCH more user-friendly for us Gilda Gardener and Harry Homeowner types than the stone quarries off River Road that are my typical rock source stops. As I read your complaint about stone yards I was thinking, “I should tell Susan to go insteadto Jack Irwin’s” – and lo, when I hot the link – it was Irwin’d that you went to and disliked – LOL. All I can say is Irwin’s is MUCH more user-friendly for us Gilda Gardener and Harry Homeowner types than the stone quarries off River Road that are my typical rock source stops.

]]> By: Eric http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/376/comment-page-1#comment-1503 Eric Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:11:14 +0000 http://beyondsustainablegardening.com/?p=376#comment-1503 Susan: Always keep in mind there is no "one" right answer - ground cover issues are some of the hardest to figure out. It does take time, patience, and experimentation - sometimes you just have to "try-it-on" like a piece of clothing. I once had a garden years ago where I just couldn't figure out what do with one particular open space area...I tried lawn first, and then switched to ground cover, and then went with pea gravel raked in a zen pattern with an urn in the middle! The important thing is that you are open-minded and willing to experiment - so few people are willing to take chances. Looking at your photo, I'm wondering if have you thought about a massive moss planting? It would gibe you that lawn-like green look with low maintenace. It appears to be shady enough to handle moss perhaps? Or how about the most dwarf mondo grass? There's a great example of that dwarf moss planted in the Chinese Garden area at the Enid Haupt Garden down at the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall in Wash DC. I also think a low, formal knot style planting in the open spce you've got might make an interesting juxtaposition to the surrounding, naturalized looking areas...just some thoughts. Susan: Always keep in mind there is no “one” right answer – ground cover issues are some of the hardest to figure out. It does take time, patience, and experimentation – sometimes you just have to “try-it-on” like a piece of clothing. I once had a garden years ago where I just couldn’t figure out what do with one particular open space area…I tried lawn first, and then switched to ground cover, and then went with pea gravel raked in a zen pattern with an urn in the middle! The important thing is that you are open-minded and willing to experiment – so few people are willing to take chances. Looking at your photo, I’m wondering if have you thought about a massive moss planting? It would gibe you that lawn-like green look with low maintenace. It appears to be shady enough to handle moss perhaps? Or how about the most dwarf mondo grass? There’s a great example of that dwarf moss planted in the Chinese Garden area at the Enid Haupt Garden down at the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall in Wash DC. I also think a low, formal knot style planting in the open spce you’ve got might make an interesting juxtaposition to the surrounding, naturalized looking areas…just some thoughts.

]]> By: Curtis http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/376/comment-page-1#comment-1502 Curtis Sun, 13 Jan 2008 04:34:12 +0000 http://beyondsustainablegardening.com/?p=376#comment-1502 Looks great and well worth your time finding the stone. I too try not to rush things and think on them before going nuts. That is of course providing my wife is with me while I am at the garden center.:) Looks great and well worth your time finding the stone. I too try not to rush things and think on them before going nuts.

That is of course providing my wife is with me while I am at the garden center.:)

]]> By: Katy http://www.sustainablegardeningblog.com/archives/376/comment-page-1#comment-1501 Katy Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:04:49 +0000 http://beyondsustainablegardening.com/?p=376#comment-1501 I wonder if you are going to run into the same or similar challenges as I did when I installed a new moss garden (more about this on a brand new yet to be completed blog <a href="http://rustyspade.blogspot.com)" rel="nofollow">http://rustyspade.blogspot.com)</a> You may want to consider small animal damage prevention. This is a wonderful project that I am watching closely. Thanks Katy I wonder if you are going to run into the same or similar challenges as I did when I installed a new moss garden (more about this on a brand new yet to be completed blog http://rustyspade.blogspot.com) You may want to consider small animal damage prevention. This is a wonderful project that I am watching closely. Thanks Katy

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