SusanCohan

Even without an irrigation system timers can be added to hose systems easily and inexpensively. I added three today to a newly installed project that won't be irrigated. The client is going on vacation and these hose bots will water the newly seeded lawn and newly planted beds every day while the homeowners play. The cost? Assuming some hoses and sprinklers are available $24.95 for each timer + a 9V battery. An additional rain sensor can be added to the system but there's no rain in the 10 day forecast.

When they come home, they'll disconnect the temporary system and nature will take over. Once the lawn is established it won't be irrigated. In the NE this year, with so much rain, it's not really an issue, but other years we don't have as much.

Whoa, Nellie...we can't grow that in Jersey! No wonder Invasion of the Body Snatchers takes place in California. They're coming, they're coming...

So many people who are drawn to our profession think it is easy. It is not. Plants are the least of it. Landscape designers have to have working knowledge of so many factors--construction, grading and drainage, soil, legal issues with towns and HOAs, management skills, drawing, computers, sustainable practices, negotiation, contracts and it wouldn't hurt to know a little Spanish. You also have to have the connections and resources to get the job done and make money at it. Follow your bliss, yes!...but make sure you get some training and know what you're really getting yourself into.

Grounds for Sculpture makes some of the most creative use of plants of anywhere I've ever been. One of the first green roofs I saw in the U.S. was there six or seven years ago. Ditto the work of Patrick Dougherty. They strive to incorporate plantings with sculpture and sometime visa versa as evidenced by a piece entitled 'Yew Inside'. Another reason to visit the Garden State!

Sounds like a great time had by all. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I have a natural green space that gets mowed 2x a month. Right now it's lovely and full of Ajuga reptans. No junkie lawns for me, but I wish my clients thought otherwise.

Painted lawns--kind of reminds me in a weird way of living in a burnt out section of Brooklyn in the early 80s when the city started covering up barren windows with metal inserts silk screened with images of roller blinds and geraniums in a pot. Fooled no one but everyone felt better for it.

As for lawns--my neighbors with their junkie lawns dependent on chemicals hate my natural green space which is full of Ajuga, dandelions, and other volunteers. They all look the same when mowed and in August when it's hot and dry mine looks almost as good as the one across the street--he owns an irrigation company. Oh well--I'm not macho enough for a weed free junkie lawn.

I actually broke my self imposed rule to not register for anything else to comment here. BRAVO Billy! I'm glad that someone else isn't going to tell me when to divide, transplant or otherwise perform tasks. Let's talk about ideas and ideals. Thanks.