"FragileWarrior" wrote in message
...
"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in
:

"FragileWarrior" wrote in message
...
I have a large area between our front walkway and the stockade fence
that
I'm tired of mowing. Since it is almost entirely in shade, I think
I'd like to turn it into a mint garden this year. I don't care about
spreading
because if the mint goes under the fence and into the yard it just
makes the dogs smell nice. I also have no objection to just mowing it
like lawn if it crops up where I don't want it.

What's the best way to make sure that I get garden there and not mint
sprinkled with regrown grass? I was going to rent a tiller and turn
up the
sod but then what? Do I remove the sod chunks or do I just chop it,
turn it under and hope it becomes green manure and not more grass?
Is it better
to remove all the sod and then replace the missing dirt with top
soil? If some grass sprouts up down the line, will the mature mint
plants smother it
out?

All opinions and experiences welcome.

Thx.


You're tired of mowing, so you want to plant mint. That's a great
plan, if your idea of fun is crushing your fingers in car doors while
having your hair set on fire and your leg attacked by a rabid
Doberman. Mint is invasive, so you'll be doing lots of work keeping
it out of where you don't want it.

I want it everywhere. I think we've had this conversation before.

Mowing will not be enough.

Don't care.

And,
there will probably be leftover grass popping up for a long time.
You'll need to deal with that on your hands & knees. Big fun.

I have a plan. When I trim the tops of the mint, I'll get the high
grass, too.


OK - then your motive is NOT that you're tired of mowing. You'll still be
mowing. Let me remind you that you are under oath. :-)



As far as making dogs smell good with mint, eliminate that thought
from your mind.

Why? It does. My Wolfhounds and Afghan Hounds always smelled wonderful
when they came in from the yard.

You never said it. The idea is gone right now.

Nope, still there.

Well, dogs will always stink. You'll only be masking it with mint, in the
same way cleaning products often have smells added to distract the nose from
the chemical smells.



Oh, yeah, and I like all the insect life it attracts, too.

I agree. Better than attracting dogs.