I’m in a bit of a pickle. Sorry if you thought I was handing out pickles with my post title. In this case the pickle refers to a dilemma or situation. It’s not a bad situation by any means. Something I suspected since we moved into our house was confirmed to me yesterday.
While outside doing some winter sowing I thought I’d walk around a bit. I went to the back property line and walked up a little to see if I could finally find the post that marks our corner. I’ve been looking for it for several months now. I couldn’t find it so in a moment of spontaneity I trudged up the hill to my neighbor’s house. I’ve only spoken to him once before although we have waved at each other coming and going. He’s from Ireland and out of the country frequently and travels for his business so we don’t see him too often. I rang his doorbell and asked about our property line. I should have done this much sooner but I’m a bit of an introvert and going up to talk to people spontaneously is not really in my nature. We walked along the line and I discovered that what I thought I owned was smaller than what I actually owned. Not a bad problem! The only difficulty is that this area is a steep slope with many, many weeds. In my estimation this are could be almost 1/5 of our yard. It’s a big area.
What do I do with it now? I have a few ideas but what would you do with a steep slope covered with weeds? Ground covers? Landscaping a slope economically could be a challenge.
Down here in GA on sloped landscaping, they plant Juniper…
Kudzu might work. 😉
I’m glad I know you are joking Jen!
Sounds like a similar situation to mine, Dave. I have raised about 100 Carex “frosted curls” from seed wth the intention of mass planting them on a part of mine. I have already planted out some agapanthus in another part and I plan to plant more. My sister is splitting up her kniphofia and giving some of it to me. Due to the terrain, low (or no) maintenance is what I’m trying to achieve.
Skeeter,
Juniper can be hard to get rid of when you need to. I helped pull some out of my parent’s front bed. It can look nice, but I’m not sure I want that in our yard. Thanks for the suggestion though!
Keith,
Low maintenance is just what I need. There might be some similar plants to your carex here in the states. Some grasses would be a good idea. I would love to terrace the area but that costs more money than we could put into it. Good ideas Keith. Thanks!
i’m with you dave, terraces. i know it costs lots of money so if you can’t do it now at least whatever you do decide, plan for future terracing to give you more gardening areas.
i don’t know where it is located on your yard, but sometimes a wildlife garden with shrubs and native plants might be just the ticket, especially since you like the mountains so much.
i think carex might need a lot of water and it might not work on a slope. sure is pretty though.
definitely let jenny use the kudzu–and you know i am only joking jenny!
Tina, carex has a reputation here in NZ of being as tough as old boots, being able to withstand hot or cold, dry or wet conditions. My personal experience of it is the same. I have a carex growing out of an old 10 inch drainpipe standing upright and filled with ordinary soil which I seldom ever water, yet it keeps on keeping on!
hi Keith! is nz short for new zealand? what is the name of your blog so i can check it out? i usually don’t visit blogs outside of the u.s. but would like to check out your carex. the one and only i ever had died 🙁 and i am still sad about it as i really do like the plant.
Yes, Tina, NZ is New Zealand. I live in the city of Dunedin. Sorry, I don’t have a weblog, although I am considering starting one. Will let you know. Meanwhile, I’ve posted a pick of my “Carex in a drainpipe” in my Myspace album: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhoto&albumID=612582&imageID=5955044&MyToken=7432cfa5-8bbd-4ab4-ba54-7c682ba8663c which I hope you can access it.
I guess we shouldn’t be using poor old Dave’s blog as a forum!
cool, new zealand! how exciting! you really should get yourself a blog and i think even my space allows them too.
i will check out your myspace and your picks. i really do like carex and it is recommended but i am not happy mine died. i know, boo hoo.
dave, i hope you don’t mind us talking on here but i am thinking that is what blogs are for? to learn and share?
Nah, go ahead and chat away! I might learn something too. 🙂
keith, i cannot access your my space through the link you provided. what is your my space listed under? send me an email to ramseytina5@gmail.com with your myspace login so i can check it out.