2009 Plans/Goals

17 years ago

Front Yard:

Due to a geothermal heater install, my front yard was about 80% decimated. Good news is that we've been talking about scrapping the part that was decimated for years and starting over. Bad news is, due to the drilling, the dirt that finally killed our weed infested front lawn also has to be moved...after we recover all of the gravel we installed last year. The task of cleaning up alone is quite daunting because I'm determined to save the gravel we bought. I almost gave up for this year (the geothermal install was done late last year), but the shame I am feeling at how bad our yard looks, what the neighbors must be cursing us with and this gorgeous weekend finally kicked me into gear.

My husband used his MacGuyver-like skills to build a large sieve out of 1/4" chicken wire and some scrap wood. This is making Operation Save The Gravel go smoothly and quickly. Still a lot to go, but it's easing my nerves and shame. So the new plan for the front yard in 2009 is to maintain what we have and prep the rest for starting with a clean slate next year.

Back Yard:

Veggie beds are prepped and I will be trying a few new things this year like okra and scarlet runner beans. Otherwise, the only new things are trying a new-to-me way of germinating seeds and researching how to propagate cuttings of bushes that we have.

I would love to hear what everyone else is doing.

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Comments (2)

drahme
17 years ago
Well I for one am most interested in the cost savings you may eventually find in your geo-upgrade. We are still kind of looking at that but the cost savings benefit still has me somewhat befuddled - would it be worth it in what's left of my lifetime or would it enrich future owners of my propery....

Please provide some feedback on the Okra - that is one of my favorite veggies and I have never tried it. I am guessing this is a cold weather crop......

A note of interest for those who like brussels sprouts - had a couple self starters come up this spring. Last fall I got invaded with fairly large, gray aphids. Never seen them before. It took quite a while to clean out the sprouts and since I obviously missed many, it must have been a nutritional benefit in the form of extra protein.

I don't mean to totally hijack this thread but the new dog problem has been solved............in week or so we will be the proud owners of of a black and white parti standard poodle, and from excellent lineage. I am still not exactly sure about that - time will tell. Undoubtedly good fodder for future web pages if anything.

~dRahme
themayocynic
Original Author
17 years ago
drahme, our actual electric bill was $15-20 cheaper each month during the winter but we also didn't have to pay for any oil, so that's where the big savings is. I will have to say that our house was very evenly heated, to the point where I, the person in the house who is always freezing, turned the heater down of my own free will. Now we need to see how well it cools during the summer.

I'll keep you updated on the okra. I have a lot of people curious to see how well it grows. I was fortunate that my husband built me a third, smaller (2' x 8') veggie bed over the weekend. After planting the okra, I ran out of room for my tomatoes and eggplant.

I know what you mean about the aphids. Last year they demolished my artichoke plants :\

And most importantly, congrats on the new dog :)
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