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First, I believe our slavery to mowing lawns is ridiculous (I'm all about rock gardens and/or courtyards); secondly, I don't have a lawn mower or weed eater; thirdly, I'm only here for another year so I'm not going to BUY equipment; and fourth, services want an outlandish amount for what is just one small patch of lawn. So I decided to let it to natural this summer, but already it is so out-of-control that even I can't stand it. The area consists of an old (as in 100-year-old) brick "driveway" and then a patch of grass that is lumpy, rocky, and uneven -- not really amenable to mowing anyway. Basically, weeds are sprouting everywhere, including between the bricks to the point where you can't even see them anymore, and the "grass" is knee-high with even taller pokeberry plants and so forth scattered throughout. What can I do to this area that won't cost much, if anything (again, I'm only here for another year, so not interested in an investment or long-term solution), and will be easy, as I'm not a gardener. Some kind of "cover"?
That's $80 for a battery-operated weed whacker, and you mean spray the entire driveway with a hand-held bottle of Round-up? I've thought about putting down large cardboard boxes and covering with free wood chips, although I'd have to pay someone to transport them to the house.
Go to a junk yard and find some metal boards...Slap it down, Toss a gaudy fake tree with a pot over it and call it a day.
Most ground coverage of the plant variation do serve a purpose for insects and animals....Its your choice though to only see it for a maintenance stance and not how it effects other living creatures...
I didn't mean "ground cover" as in something I'd have to actually plant and cultivate; I was thinking more of sun-blocking weed-control fabric (although cardboard from large furniture or bicycle boxes works, too).
I didn't mean "ground cover" as in something I'd have to actually plant and cultivate; I was thinking more of sun-blocking weed-control fabric (although cardboard from large furniture or bicycle boxes works, too).
Do you have neighbors? If you let your yard get out of control you will attract all kinds of bugs and possible pests which will also visit your neighbors.
Cardboard would be your cheapest cover but you will most likely need to knock down your mess first.
I didn't mean "ground cover" as in something I'd have to actually plant and cultivate; I was thinking more of sun-blocking weed-control fabric (although cardboard from large furniture or bicycle boxes works, too).
Weed-control fabric below mulch doesn't work in the long run, seeds blow in and germinate right on top of it. Although if you're not going to be there long-term, that might not matter to you. But a weed-whacker is probably cheaper than landscape fabric. Some people use black plastic, but that doesn't work any better than landscape fabric or cardboard, and it leaves a mess for someone else to clean up.
Cardboard covered with mulch won't stop weed seeds from blowing in either, but at least the cardboard is free and will break down into helpful organic matter.
What about the neighbor situation? Do the terms of your rental/lease agreement require you to maintain the yard?
Last edited by jacqueg; 07-22-2016 at 12:04 PM..
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