Maximizing small sunny patch.
DCF-Z6A
3 years ago
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DCF-Z6A
3 years agoRelated Discussions
vine for wall behind vegetable patch. deer area
Comments (1)I heard deer don't like blackberries, and they aren't the most beautiful thing on the planet, but they do give you fruit, and they have thorns! I know this is a dumb suggestion and so NOT what you want. Maybe look for something with thorns. Bougainvillea have killer thorns, and come in all colors but they grow where it doesn't freeze, so I don't think they would live where you do. Aside from that, roses have thorns and deer eat them, so maybe deer just don't like blackberries! Many of my buddies in other states grow grapevines, and deer love those, so they hang bar soap on the vines. It keeps the deer away. Maybe put a bunch of bar soap around. Try that! Good luck! Suzi...See MoreHello from 'sunny' Yorkshire
Comments (2)Sadly, you've come to a mortally-wounded forum - one breath away from expiry. It seems the british have less time to spend on-line than we yanks. Still, if you don't mind taking advice from one...... Does 'new' house mean newly built, or merely new to you? If the former, your garden site may be mostly builder's sand with a little landscaping soil over the top. If that is the case, you can try to amend it by bringing in stuff, or if your lot is big and you don't have shade issues from tall trees or neighboring buildings perhaps move the site to the margins where the native soil layers might still be intact (this presuming the native soil is at least moderately good). Generic advice: Avoid any slope if at all possible. Don't buy any bulk stuff from nurseries or landscape suppliers that is called 'topsoil'. That is typically leaf-compost mixed with sand. The exception would be if you have very heavy clayey soil, so something like that would be a benefit. Generally you will be better off with barn manure, composted preferably, or fresh if you've got time. Buy hay or straw whenever possible to let compost in piles and keep thickly strewn over the plot whenever it's not planted or as mulch when it is. After a few years that should be all the input that you need....See MoreFinding The Sunny Side
Comments (2)How does your yard face east, west, north or south and is there a break in the trees somewhere. If it faces south you may get some sun especially if there's a break in the trees on the south side. However I don't think you'll be able to plant things requiring full sun so you may have a hard time growing vegetables. As for putting fruit trees in front of your windows. Do you mind having a dark house with poor ventilation from the windows. Even dwarf fruit trees will grow 5 or 6 feet tall or taller and will shade your windows and prevent air circulation from those windows...See MoreHelp me turn garage into a sunny studio! :-)
Comments (25)UPDATE: Thank you so much for all of your comments and suggestions! My landlord has consulted with contractors, and is not willing to change any exterior appearance. ADUs are legal in our county, but but the county is not aware of this ADU. My landlord is concerned about potential increase in property tax and potential cost of county-required upgrades were the county to become aware. So, she is willing to give me the space in the front of the building, to knock down the wall between main room and current unfinished front of the building, move the stairs to the rear of the unfinished area (above washer and dryer). Also, willing to replace green door with a half French door (full glass). She is also willing to replace the existing a/c with another window, since the space exists in the cinder block. This is all assuming that the cost is reasonable. I am going to ask if recessed lights can also be added. Finishing the unfinished attic would be fantastic, because there is the potential for windows on all four sides. Of course, I would love French doors on the front of the building. Neither of these are options due to concerns regarding county regulations. Any suggestions regarding stair placement? (Water heater sits to the left of the washer and dryer). Weedyacres recommended rotating into the current living space. What would you think of rotating them over the washer and dryer? Where the bikes (in the photo) currently sit?...See MoreChristopher CNC
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3 years agoperen.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
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3 years agolast modified: 3 years agodjacob Z6a SE WI
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3 years agoChristopher CNC
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3 years agoperen.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
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3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoGardenHo_MI_Z5
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agodiggerdee zone 6 CT
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10 months agodeanna in ME Barely zone 6a, more like 5b
10 months ago
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5