3-4" of soil is plenty. The more soil you have, the less likely it is to dry out.

Thank you, token. I won't let my neighbors know it was you who encouraged me to use baby baths, toboggans, shower curtains and drop cloths in my yard! I really appreciate your experience and advice.

I had lasagna pans, planters, soda bottles, brownie containers, and plastic draped over everything at the end of the driveway. Once the flowers get tall enough, they can't see it. ;)

If they ask, just telling it's a science project for your kids/or grandchildren! LOL!

Thanks, pippi, great idea. Wait till they see the milk jugs, soda bottles, styrofoam cups, dunkin' donuts iced coffee containers, left over food containers, lasagna pans, etc. Hope they don't call the lawn beautification police!

There are a lot of narrow-minded people out there!

If you have picky neighbors, ask if they would like you to start some plants for them! Then they have a vested interest.

Sneaky is as sneaky does. ;-)

Sue

you could end up with neighbors like I have...
cuz of my 'beautification' of my yard, I have ended up with 3 different styles of fences, that each neighbor has put up....
gee, ya think they don't like my ways?.....
gee, ya think I care?..lol

strawberry goat - love it! I wish three neighbors of mine would put up their own fences. The fences are mine and need to be replaced. So much less effort and money if they would do it themselves - higher this time I would hope!

WS containers is tame compared to my neighbors so I doubt anyone will notice mine. Fences would just shut out the entertainment. The guy next door opened an upstairs window and was surprised when his A/C unit fell out...and down on the ground. Two houses over mows his huge lawn with a commercial grade mower that he's convinced--for more than five years now--only cuts the grass with the throttle wide open so it's as loud as a fighter jet and only at 5 p.m. Across the road and up the hill there's the original lawn ranger who mows in the dark, when there's frost on the grass and who "trims" his ornamental grasses every year with a lit cigar. Not to worry, the fire department knows and always comes to put out the flames before they burn down his shed. Why would I want fences?