Plastic sheeting as weed suppressant

26 May '07 9:26 pm

Thanks to everyone. What an interesting second life this post has developed!

Right: plastic is out, paper/cardboard most likely in. Chemicals are out as I could not deligate such delicate work to my staff safely, and I have in theory a chemfree approach in my very large garden - can't afford it, you know! Landscape cloth is unlikely to be available up here. I will check in Johannesburg - and then most likely baulk at the price!

Anyway, nothing will happen till mid July when I get back from Europe and the roses are pruned.

Thanks again!

26 May '07 10:01 pm

Consider yourself invited. If you can ever here in the summer when school doesn't keep me as busy, it would be fun to walk around the garden with you. If you had a couple of weeks and were here on a Sunday we could also visit Marsha Donahue's garden or perhaps Blake garden, Filoli, or the arboretums. We'd have to start off with a cuppa in the garden.

27 May '07 3:44 pm

Hi, Jack, and thanks for the invitation; I really don't suppose that I'll actually get there, what with the tightening of the border, etc. My passport has expired, so I won't even try to get a new one for at least a year, as the waiting lists are so very long right now for Canadians applying for new ones in order to get into the States.

I've seen Huntingdon Gardens and some other ones in the Pasadena area, but the closest I've come to your area is S.F. Airport on the way through, so it would be really great to see some northern Cal. gardens.

Cheers!

gordonf

27 May '07 7:02 pm

Could we ALL come,Mark? Put the kettle on please. Very Happy

There were some lovely pics of the knot garden at Filoli that someone put in 'Dave's garden' forums.
Dixie.

29 May '07 2:49 pm

If you ever get out this way you'll have to come to Jim's place as well as Filoli. You have to drive through a dairy and over a couple of cattle guards to get there so you'd feel right at home. This was Lia's first time there and her favorite part of the gardens at Filoli was the knot garden. Of course it all starts with a cuppa in my garden, but then I'll be your guide and/or chauffer. So when did you think you'd be coming? (So I can put the water on.)

30 May '07 8:10 am

I really don't want to appear to be horning in, but if your planning a Forum gathering I certainly will expect an invitation. How far north of LA is Filoli anyway? Maybe I could work out a visit to my daughter then pop up to Filoli to meet up with the Forum Friends group. Just funning of course, but it is a lovely idea.

30 May '07 8:27 am

I know that you can order flame weeders from Gardeners Supply at www.gardeners.com. They are a small gas cylinder with a curving handle that sweeps down into a long tube so that you can use them while standing or walking. They are a little pricey ($45.00 U.S.)in my opinion. I have considered using them myself as all my paths are stone. So far I have depended on hand weeding in sensitive areas and spray defoliants in other areas where there is no danger to surrounding plants. I have also used a weed blocking spray that prevents seed germination. It works well for a couple of months, but then must be re-applied. It is also pricey, so it may be a wash.

30 May '07 1:24 pm

Just funnin too, but if you get out to see your daughter and want to go to the Huntington garden down there with your daughter, maybe Lia and I could meet you there for tea. I usually get down there once a year, and time is more flexible for me in the summer. Of course, if you decide to take a drive up this way (5-6 hours each way if you lead-foot it) i'd love to show you gardens here or go with you to Filoli. Seriously, I know that you probably don't get to see your daughter (grandkids?) as much as you like and if you come so far, you'll want to spend time with her, but I might be able to time a trip south to meet you when you go. (I have a brother and sister that live in that area.)

Thanks for the info about the weed buring tool. I'm going to ask around to see if any landscapre professional sorts have found it useful. I suppose you'd still have to remove the charred weed corpses, so maybe it doesn't make sense. I'm really going to look into defoliants to see if there is one that will work for me on the gravel courtyard.

Plastic sheeting as weed suppressant

Thanks all!

I'm glad it looks inviting, Gordon.

Filoli

Garden visit

Dixie, you know you're welcome anytime.

Here now, what's all this about a private tour?

Oops, I missed some of the previous posts

I'll set another place right away!