R. Todd Rothrauff

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  1. The annual Yard Adventure . . .
  2. 2016: Less expansion, more maintenance . . .

June 19: Eliminating more weeds . . .

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  • The large clump of ornamental grass I moved to this corner of the yard is doing well.  I believe this is Big Blue Liriope grass.

    The large clump of ornamental grass I moved to this corner of the yard is doing well. I believe this is Big Blue Liriope grass.

  • The Vitex Shoal Creek is also blooming nicely.

    The Vitex Shoal Creek is also blooming nicely.

  • Vitex Shoal Creek.

    Vitex Shoal Creek.

  • The Coronation Gold Yarrows look great each summer.  Best of all, they don't require a lot of maintenance.

    The Coronation Gold Yarrows look great each summer. Best of all, they don't require a lot of maintenance.

  • I planted 4 Indian Hawthorn shrubs recently.

    I planted 4 Indian Hawthorn shrubs recently.

  • The Eleanor Tabor Indian Hawthorn I moved to the mailbox area may not be entirely happy with the move.  Time will tell.

    The Eleanor Tabor Indian Hawthorn I moved to the mailbox area may not be entirely happy with the move. Time will tell.

  • The Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel seems to like being in front of the house.

    The Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel seems to like being in front of the house.

  • Over the past couple of years, the continuing expansion of my "Random Curved Shape" and its position relative to the front walk has created the narrow area seen in the photo above.  My entire front yard consists of those seemingly indestructible weeds.  But combining them with having the front walk on one side and a bunch of homemade mulch on the other only amplifies the green weeds in the center even further.  I wouldn't mind as much if the weeds were a beautiful lush green.  But they aren't !  Today, I decided they need to go.

    Over the past couple of years, the continuing expansion of my "Random Curved Shape" and its position relative to the front walk has created the narrow area seen in the photo above. My entire front yard consists of those seemingly indestructible weeds. But combining them with having the front walk on one side and a bunch of homemade mulch on the other only amplifies the green weeds in the center even further. I wouldn't mind as much if the weeds were a beautiful lush green. But they aren't ! Today, I decided they need to go.

  • I had thought about replacing the weeds with some kind of ornamental grass.  But I'm not sure at this moment.  The plan for today was to get rid of the weeds.  I'll decide what, if anything, should go back in that spot later.

    I had thought about replacing the weeds with some kind of ornamental grass. But I'm not sure at this moment. The plan for today was to get rid of the weeds. I'll decide what, if anything, should go back in that spot later.

  • I addressed two areas filled with weeds in the photo above - a large area in the background and this small triangular area in the foreground.  These weeds have the consistency of barbed wire, and don't go quietly.  I decided to actually remove a few inches of dirt/weeds with my shovel.

    I addressed two areas filled with weeds in the photo above - a large area in the background and this small triangular area in the foreground. These weeds have the consistency of barbed wire, and don't go quietly. I decided to actually remove a few inches of dirt/weeds with my shovel.

  • I ended up digging down about 2 - 4 inches across the whole area.  That removed not only the weeds, but a bunch of concrete that I'm guessing was left over when the sidewalk was poured in 1974.

    I ended up digging down about 2 - 4 inches across the whole area. That removed not only the weeds, but a bunch of concrete that I'm guessing was left over when the sidewalk was poured in 1974.

  • These weeds don't go willingly or quietly.  Landscape fabric seems somewhat necessary.

    These weeds don't go willingly or quietly. Landscape fabric seems somewhat necessary.

  • I laid out the fabric and cut it to match the curved shape.

    I laid out the fabric and cut it to match the curved shape.

  • I decided to try something different in the form of large Pine Bark Nuggets for no reason other than they were cheap.

    I decided to try something different in the form of large Pine Bark Nuggets for no reason other than they were cheap.

  • The process is pretty straight forward - open bag, dump on the landscape fabric, repeat.

    The process is pretty straight forward - open bag, dump on the landscape fabric, repeat.

  • Many bags later, I had the whole area filled in.

    Many bags later, I had the whole area filled in.

  • It doesn't look bad at all.  But honestly, I think this will be a stepping stone toward something else, although I'm not sure what at this point.

    It doesn't look bad at all. But honestly, I think this will be a stepping stone toward something else, although I'm not sure what at this point.

  • But for now, this solution will work.

    But for now, this solution will work.

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