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Posted by Linda on January 7, 2008, 8:01 am
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during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about
sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't
grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing and
water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix of dirt
areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something semi
attractive.
So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening
sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course
mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know
about.
So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in
very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to
still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with
grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very
limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely
wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside.
It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I
would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be
nice and cheap too.
Thanks for any suggestions
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Posted by Jonno on January 7, 2008, 8:36 am
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real environment where the sun shines, mosquito's bite and dogs bark.
Otherwise concrete with artificial grass would kick ass and really
wouldnt allow your kids to experience real vegetation. this would be for
the best perhaps... Otherwise it seems you have the answers. Go to the
local nursery and ask qeustions get those...
You cant win em all though. I'd move... or become bit of a gardener.
Linda wrote:
> Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade
> during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about
> sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't
> grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing and
> water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix of dirt
> areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something semi
> attractive.
> So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening
> sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course
> mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know
> about.
>
> So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in
> very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to
> still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with
> grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very
> limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely
> wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside.
>
> It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I
> would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be
> nice and cheap too.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions
>
>
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Posted by 0tterbot on January 7, 2008, 4:52 pm
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options > Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade
> during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about
> sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't
> grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing
> and water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix
> of dirt areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something
> semi attractive.
> So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening
> sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course
> mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know
> about.
>
> So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in
> very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to
> still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with
> grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very
> limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely
> wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside.
>
> It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I
> would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would
> be nice and cheap too.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions
dichondra?
kylie
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Posted by George W. Frost on January 7, 2008, 7:08 pm
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
> Hi, we have a small backyard with a beautiful big tree and lots of shade
> during the summer which is great for the kids - not having to worry about
> sunscreen when they play outside. It does mean of course that lawn won't
> grow - thats fine, we're not big gardeners, and what with regular mowing
> and water restrictions it's not an option. But currently there is a mix
> of dirt areas, weeds and so forth so it would be nice to have something
> semi attractive.
> So I'm looking for suggestions - I've been looking at various gardening
> sites, and seen ideas such as Vinca Minor, chamomile, moss and of course
> mondo grass but I'm sure there must be lots of possibilites I don't know
> about.
>
> So prerequisites - low maintenance, suitable for kids to play on, grows in
> very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to
> still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with
> grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very
> limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely
> wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside.
>
> It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I
> would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would
> be nice and cheap too.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions
Green concrete
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Posted by David Hare-Scott on January 7, 2008, 8:17 pm
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
>
> So prerequisites - low maintenance,
Lots of things depending on what you mean by maintenance.
> suitable for kids to play on,
No can do. Grass is the most durable and even that will not survive the
attentions of energetic kids unless you help it along. Other ground covers
are less durable and will result in big maintenance or having to exclude kids
or both.
> grows in
> very shady area during summer, (but tree loses leaves in winter so has to
> still survive), ok for humid conditions, drought tolerant (or happy with
> grey water every now and then), doesn't cost too much to establish (very
> limited budget), and if it was a mozzie deterant that would absolutely
> wonderful as we have a problem with them as well when we're outside.
>
You are asking a lot here. As well as mozzie deterent why not ask for ant and
spider repellent? :-)
> It doesn't matter if it takes a while to spread, I'm not in a hurry, but I
> would like to do something - and if it can be grown from seed that would be
> nice and cheap too.
>
Taking a while to spread is inconsistent with durability. One way that grass
survives wear is to quickly spread back into areas where damage has happened.
> Thanks for any suggestions
>
Hard mulch (eg pinebark) or astroturf. No living thing will do all you want.
I am no fan of lawns (when my kids grew up the lawn went) but my experience is
that it's the only living playing surface that has a chance and that will take
some work.
David
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