Comments on: Vegetable Gardens Need Love Too.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 15:58:30 +0000

In reply to Scoops. It's a good thing I didn't respond right away, because at first it was definitely some sort of worm, and then earlier this week some critter started digging up my carrots and chard! I think the worm problem has been tackled, but now I'm off to the garden store to deal with the critters. :)

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 01:14:29 +0000

In reply to Abby. Thanks Abby, I'll check it! I appreciate the tip. I have some sedum in my yard and I reshape it once or twice a year when it decides to double in size ;)

By: Abby

Abby — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 01:33:49 +0000

Scoops! Sedum spreads like a son-of-a-gun and not always in a good way. Have you checked out myrtle? It is a pretty, hardy and shade loving ground cover that might work well in that spot.

By: becky

becky — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 15:15:58 +0000

In reply to Scoops. The newspaper method worked for me too. It took about a full year (that includes 4 months of snow) for everything to be dead and biodegraded but was so much easier than digging up the grass. So much easier!

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:54:15 +0000

In reply to shavonda@ahomefullofcolor. I am so jealous of all your southern growing options. The other day you mentioned a succulent window box and now today you're talking about fruit trees. Geez. Sounds like you have a lovely plan of your own :)

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:52:33 +0000

In reply to angela. Do it!

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:52:20 +0000

In reply to Anya. Hey Anya! Yeah, that sounds awesome. I think lawnless yards can look so pretty! What a fun challenge for you. This newspaper thing sounds like such a good idea, I really hope I can use it in my yard.

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:51:28 +0000

In reply to Stacey. Stacey!!! This sounds so great, I am going to def research this and see if it's doable for my situation. I would love it so hard if there was an easy way to get rid of grass in gardens. Thank you for the tip!

By: Scoops

Scoops — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:50:37 +0000

In reply to Amanda. Hey Amanda! Welcome to Minneapolis! Yes, it does take time, don't make yourself feel like you need to get it all done in one summer, it sounds like you have the right approach. Do you suppose it's a rabbit or some sort of bug like a slug? For rabbits I would suggest this stuff, it works great. If it's something like slugs I would suggest reading this thread, lots of different methods offered. Good luck!

By: shavonda@ahomefullofcolor

shavonda@ahomefullofcolor — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 06:30:33 +0000

Im loving the garden plans chica! In the new house im hoping for a raised bed potager garden. Id love to either see a bird bath or fruit tree in the middle of the 4 beds. Id love it to be grass free with mulch or paver paths and time growing around the bed borders. I cant wait to see how your space comes together.

By: angela

angela — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 00:27:03 +0000

I have got to get outside and start working. All your gardening post lately are getting me motivated!

Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

By: Anya

Anya — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 17:58:41 +0000

YES! I’m doing this now too…my yard is looking ROUGH but my goal is to kill off the existing grass or in my case weeds and do a ground cover of paths around the raised beds I added and incorporate beds. My back yard is small so I want to go for the lawn-less look but I’m stoked you’re doing the same for your veggie garden area. I’m also doing what Stacey suggested and using newspaper to kill off the grass. Creeping Jenny can be invasive but as far as I’m concerned, sister Jenny can TAKE OVER! Can’t wait to see how it turns out :)

By: Stacey

Stacey — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 17:24:15 +0000

Scoops, I have the solution for you! Instead of putting down plastic weed barrier, put down newspaper and add a soil mix and mulch on top. Most of today’s newspapers are totally biodegradable (you’ll want to double check to make sure, but if they were in the hell-hole of Houston Tx, then I’m sure they are up where you live), so they’ll just break down over time. The existing grass will die under the paper and eventually break down as well. I did this multiple times at my old place in Texas, and by the end of the second year you couldn’t find a trace of newspaper or grass no matter how deep you dug down. It’s the totally sane way of creating large new gardens from grassy areas.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 15:20:28 +0000

Hello!

I just moved to Minneapolis and am having my first adventures in gardening. I’m so envious of your beautiful space! I’m trying to be realistic, though, and know that over time we’ll be able to pull everything together. This year, it’s just a hodgepodge while we figure out what’s popping out of the ground from the previous homeowners and teach ourselves the tricks of the trade.

However, something is eating the hostas and coleus! Do you have recommendations for a remedy that is kid/dog safe? I’m coming from Berkeley, CA, where the only bugs I had to deal with were moths in my apple trees! (And, OMG, the mosquitoes here are KILLING ME.)

Keep the garden inspiration coming!
Amanda