The case of the disappearing lawn
Here I go again! You might be under the impression that I don’t have any lawn left to rip out, but that is (was) far from true. While the back lawn has been gone for several years, I’d only whittled away a little of the front lawn around the edges.
With spring breathing down our necks here in Austin, I got a hankering to rip out much of the front lawn last week. Being a wee bit short on time thanks to the spring rush in my design business and doing publicity for my upcoming book release, I hired out the work of digging out the lawn and installing edging between my yard and my neighbors’, to keep their grass from creeping back in.
I still need to spread a layer of compost on the beds prior to planting—and I have no idea when I’ll have time for that.
But now I have so much more room to play!
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Such a tease. When are the plants going in and what will they be. Keep us guessing.
OK, I won’t tell you then. Just kidding! Actually, these beds are going to be kept pretty simple because deer are a real problem in the front yard, and I already have “busier” planting beds along the street. So think ornamental grasses, sedges, a few agaves and yuccas. There may be a surprise planter or two in there as well. —Pam
More “Lawn Gone” is always a good thing in our region. Have fun planning your new garden. Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Looks like good weather for Saturday so I’m planning to be there.
My fingers are crossed for good weather, and I would love to see you there, Shirley! Thanks for being willing to make the trip up to Austin. For those who have no idea what we’re talking about, I’m speaking on Saturday at 10 am at The Natural Gardener nursery and signing copies of my book. —Pam
I spy a little tiny patch of lawn that remains! I wonder for how long?
Can’t wait to see what you do with all that space Pam!
I’m dying to start planting, Loree, but I have a few other things on my plate this week. Ha! That little patch of grass is, sadly, going to have to stay grass because it is just overrun with stiff live oak sprouts. The only solution is repeated mowing, and still they come back. I’d have to continually be cutting them by hand in a planting bed. —Pam
This looks like fun to me. Can’t wait to see what all you install here.
Me too, Lisa! As for plants, see my comment above. Deer and simplicity are going to rule the plant choices here. —Pam
What’s also very satisfying is how luscious all that compost is once the grass decomposes. Best. Ever.
Ooh, I bet so, Jenn. Unfortunately, I just don’t have the space to compost that much dug-up grass. It filled a large trailer that my landscaper hauled away for me. —Pam
Pam – two questions: what’s that yucca looking plant just beyond the swing in the first picture, and when’s the planting party for the new beds? Love what you’ve done.
Immediately behind the swing is a Texas sotol, Vicki. To the right a bit, there’s also a softleaf yucca. Both provide evergreen interest and structure. —Pam
Lots of nice space for your new planting. I’ll bet a trip to the nursery is among those upcoming visits. What a perfect time with the possibility of some rain today. Fingers crossed.
The weather is perfect for planting, and I hope to do some soon. But first I’m bringing in some compost! —Pam
Looks good.
And, good to have someone else do the grass removal. 🙂
Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
My back is thanking me for the hired muscle. —Pam
Got notice this a.m. that Amazon is shipping your book today. Can’t wait!
Yay! I hope you enjoy it, Jane. Thanks for ordering! —Pam
I have been forbidden to dig up any more lawn by my family. So your bare bed makes me very wistful.
Well, that hardly seems fair unless they are using that lawn every day. My daughter protests my whittling away of the lawn, but she has no say because she never uses it for anything. Ha! —Pam
Very cool! I can’t wait to see how you end up planting it. I’m in the middle of a big edging and lawn removal project as well, and I have no idea when I’m gonna find the time to get it done. It involves the removal of Dreaded Bermudagrass, so it’s gonna take some time to do it right.
Ooh, the dreaded Bermuda grass is right. But I bet you’ll get it! What better motivation does a gardener need than a brand-new bed to plant? —Pam
Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to see what you do Pam!!!! Yay! E-mail cheers 😉
Isn’t this fun? All my gardening friends totally get the joy of a bare, lawn-less garden bed. —Pam
Make it all disappear!
I’m waving my magic wand, Kaveh. —Pam
I got rid of my grass over four years ago. I would never go back. I have more birds in my garden and have added butterfly’s and dragonfly’s. I am anxious to see how you plant your new space. Keep me posted.
You can count on it, Charlie. The blog is always hungry and needs feeding, plus I like to show my baby plants so a year later I can look back and say, wow, look how much it’s grown! —Pam
Looking at that empty, neat bed has me revved up to do the same in my own garden. I don’t have lawn to rip up, but I do have a vast expanse of neglected, weedy space that’s begging for some texture, color, and TLC. Maybe a rain garden…
It’s contagious, MHM. Have fun! —Pam