Rich,
My front yard is full sun no shade at all. Most the rocks are small but the yard is large so it is going to a big project. My husband and I were trying to decide what the easiest way would be.. maybe creating a large sifter with two by fours and some chicken wire and just shovel and dumb when we are done spread it out and maybe add some top soil. We did buy a soil test set... we have never used any thing like that it has four tubs each have a different pill in them. My question was serious and Sister Sud was quite rude. Very mean and immature but, what can you do. Anyways Rich thanks for the help it is neat to meet a fellow gardner close to my location.
Tiffany B.
"Rich" wrote in message ...
Sister Suds wrote:
Are you for real? Why don't you try growing rocks. They seem to be
growing very easily inside your head.

"Tiffany Bastian"
wrote in message
...
Hello Everyone,
I am new and from Connecticut, We just moved here a month ago. Into
a new home we have no lawn or anything because the house was just
renovated. We have some seriou seeding to do soon, we are trying ot
figure out where we will garden etc... it is a lot of fun, we have
such a large blank canvas. I am curious what you all know about
lawns too, We have a some what rocky construction site are for a
front yard. I know we need to get most the rocks out before we seed
but any other good ideas? Also, we are trying to figure out what
plants grow good in this climate since we just moved here.
Thanks for all your help!
Tiffany B
****************************************
Tiffany,

I am pretty new on this newsgroup, but it seems every newsgroup has
someone like whoever "sister suds" is, but I am beginning to understand
the recent "mean spirited" thread of recent posts. If that post was sent
in all seriousness, ignore her. This group can be of great help to both
the amateur gardener and the experienced. Perhaps "Sister" got out of
the wrong side of the bed this am, or perhaps had a fight with a loved
one, who knows, just know your question sure seems pretty valid to me
(but then who am I BG)

I am in NJ, but I have family in CT. Yes you are blessed with rocks all
over CT (thats how they got all those stone walls. Do the best you can
removing the smaller one. The small boulders you might want to plant
around, letting them guide you as to where your beds may be created
(Alpines love rock gardens). Also rocks that cannot be moved can also
become part of a water feature using them to cascade water over.

What kind of sunlight do you have? Also its important to know you soil
acidity before making any recommendations.

Rich Haynes

Dwight we live in military housing so I have limits as to what I can do, it is newly renovated and they left the lawn to us. I do have a child and will be doing daycare from my home. I have sectioned off two large areas I wll use as flower beds. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Tiffany B.

Where in New England Are You?


"Dwight Sipler" wrote in message ...
Tiffany Bastian wrote:

...We have a some what rocky construction site are for a front yard...


Welcome to New England.




I know we need to get most the rocks out before we seed...



Only if you really want a lawn. And then, you only need to get out the
rocks on the surface. But think what a lawn means: Seed, water, water,
water, water, mow, water, mow, water, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, weed, mow, mow, mow, mow, water, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, water, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
weed, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, water,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, water, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
fertilize, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, etc. (Alternatively, hire a lawn service, pay, pay, pay,
pay...) After all that you have a lawn that looks like all the other
lawns around you.

Since you have a blank slate, consider alternatives to a lawn. You have
rocks. Collect them and make a rock garden with some perennials. Make a
flower garden with some combination of perennials and annuals. (If you
are in a subdivision with a homeowners association with teeth, check
their rules first. For some reason they generally want no
individuality.)

If you have kids, you will probably want some lawn for them, but keep a
buffer of shrubs or hedge between them and the road. If you don't have
kids, what do you need a lawn for? Most people don't use it for anything
other than an occasional cookout. Consider a small (depending on your
lawn) soccer field for the neighborhood: get to know your neighbors and
get some exercise.

Set aside the sunniest spot for flowers and vegetables. There's nothing
better than fresh stuff from your own garden.

PS: if this is really a new house, didn't the builder put in a lawn?

Rich,
My front yard is full sun no shade at all. Most the rocks are small but the yard is large so it is going to a big project. My husband and I were trying to decide what the easiest way would be.. maybe creating a large sifter with two by fours and some chicken wire and just shovel and dumb when we are done spread it out and maybe add some top soil. We did buy a soil test set... we have never used any thing like that it has four tubs each have a different pill in them. My question was serious and Sister Sud was quite rude. Very mean and immature but, what can you do. Anyways Rich thanks for the help it is neat to meet a fellow gardner close to my location.
Tiffany B.
"Rich" wrote in message ...
Sister Suds wrote:
Are you for real? Why don't you try growing rocks. They seem to be
growing very easily inside your head.

"Tiffany Bastian"
wrote in message
...
Hello Everyone,
I am new and from Connecticut, We just moved here a month ago. Into
a new home we have no lawn or anything because the house was just
renovated. We have some seriou seeding to do soon, we are trying ot
figure out where we will garden etc... it is a lot of fun, we have
such a large blank canvas. I am curious what you all know about
lawns too, We have a some what rocky construction site are for a
front yard. I know we need to get most the rocks out before we seed
but any other good ideas? Also, we are trying to figure out what
plants grow good in this climate since we just moved here.
Thanks for all your help!
Tiffany B
****************************************
Tiffany,

I am pretty new on this newsgroup, but it seems every newsgroup has
someone like whoever "sister suds" is, but I am beginning to understand
the recent "mean spirited" thread of recent posts. If that post was sent
in all seriousness, ignore her. This group can be of great help to both
the amateur gardener and the experienced. Perhaps "Sister" got out of
the wrong side of the bed this am, or perhaps had a fight with a loved
one, who knows, just know your question sure seems pretty valid to me
(but then who am I BG)

I am in NJ, but I have family in CT. Yes you are blessed with rocks all
over CT (thats how they got all those stone walls. Do the best you can
removing the smaller one. The small boulders you might want to plant
around, letting them guide you as to where your beds may be created
(Alpines love rock gardens). Also rocks that cannot be moved can also
become part of a water feature using them to cascade water over.

What kind of sunlight do you have? Also its important to know you soil
acidity before making any recommendations.

Rich Haynes

Dwight we live in military housing so I have limits as to what I can do, it is newly renovated and they left the lawn to us. I do have a child and will be doing daycare from my home. I have sectioned off two large areas I wll use as flower beds. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Tiffany B.

Where in New England Are You?


"Dwight Sipler" wrote in message ...
Tiffany Bastian wrote:

...We have a some what rocky construction site are for a front yard...


Welcome to New England.




I know we need to get most the rocks out before we seed...



Only if you really want a lawn. And then, you only need to get out the
rocks on the surface. But think what a lawn means: Seed, water, water,
water, water, mow, water, mow, water, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, weed, mow, mow, mow, mow, water, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, water, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
weed, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, water,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, water, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
fertilize, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, etc. (Alternatively, hire a lawn service, pay, pay, pay,
pay...) After all that you have a lawn that looks like all the other
lawns around you.

Since you have a blank slate, consider alternatives to a lawn. You have
rocks. Collect them and make a rock garden with some perennials. Make a
flower garden with some combination of perennials and annuals. (If you
are in a subdivision with a homeowners association with teeth, check
their rules first. For some reason they generally want no
individuality.)

If you have kids, you will probably want some lawn for them, but keep a
buffer of shrubs or hedge between them and the road. If you don't have
kids, what do you need a lawn for? Most people don't use it for anything
other than an occasional cookout. Consider a small (depending on your
lawn) soccer field for the neighborhood: get to know your neighbors and
get some exercise.

Set aside the sunniest spot for flowers and vegetables. There's nothing
better than fresh stuff from your own garden.

PS: if this is really a new house, didn't the builder put in a lawn?

Thanks!





"T" wrote in message ...
Hello Tiffany...

I too am military..(or was, we are retired now)...We lived in VA at the time
and every year they'll give out flower vouchers in the sping for you to get
plants. With those you could make a small flower bed using some of the rocks
as a border.(they never give enough flowers to do a whole lot of planting
with)
You might even want to use more rocks to make a rock garden..(no mowing).
As far as your backyard, you just have to keep watering till the grass takes
hold so to speak.

Good luck living in base housing...


"Tiffany Bastian" wrote in message
...
Hello Everyone,
I am new and from Connecticut, We just moved here a month ago. Into a new
home we have no lawn or anything because the house was just renovated. We
have some seriou seeding to do soon, we are trying ot figure out where we
will garden etc... it is a lot of fun, we have such a large blank canvas. I
am curious what you all know about lawns too, We have a some what rocky
construction site are for a front yard. I know we need to get most the rocks
out before we seed but any other good ideas? Also, we are trying to figure
out what plants grow good in this climate since we just moved here.
Thanks for all your help!
Tiffany B


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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Dwight we live in military housing so I have limits as to what I can do, it is newly renovated and they left the lawn to us. I do have a child and will be doing daycare from my home. I have sectioned off two large areas I wll use as flower beds. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Tiffany B.

Where in New England Are You?


"Dwight Sipler" wrote in message ...
Tiffany Bastian wrote:

...We have a some what rocky construction site are for a front yard...


Welcome to New England.




I know we need to get most the rocks out before we seed...



Only if you really want a lawn. And then, you only need to get out the
rocks on the surface. But think what a lawn means: Seed, water, water,
water, water, mow, water, mow, water, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, weed, mow, mow, mow, mow, water, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, water, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
weed, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, water,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, water, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
fertilize, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow, mow,
mow, mow, mow, etc. (Alternatively, hire a lawn service, pay, pay, pay,
pay...) After all that you have a lawn that looks like all the other
lawns around you.

Since you have a blank slate, consider alternatives to a lawn. You have
rocks. Collect them and make a rock garden with some perennials. Make a
flower garden with some combination of perennials and annuals. (If you
are in a subdivision with a homeowners association with teeth, check
their rules first. For some reason they generally want no
individuality.)

If you have kids, you will probably want some lawn for them, but keep a
buffer of shrubs or hedge between them and the road. If you don't have
kids, what do you need a lawn for? Most people don't use it for anything
other than an occasional cookout. Consider a small (depending on your
lawn) soccer field for the neighborhood: get to know your neighbors and
get some exercise.

Set aside the sunniest spot for flowers and vegetables. There's nothing
better than fresh stuff from your own garden.

PS: if this is really a new house, didn't the builder put in a lawn?

Thanks!





"T" wrote in message ...
Hello Tiffany...

I too am military..(or was, we are retired now)...We lived in VA at the time
and every year they'll give out flower vouchers in the sping for you to get
plants. With those you could make a small flower bed using some of the rocks
as a border.(they never give enough flowers to do a whole lot of planting
with)
You might even want to use more rocks to make a rock garden..(no mowing).
As far as your backyard, you just have to keep watering till the grass takes
hold so to speak.

Good luck living in base housing...


"Tiffany Bastian" wrote in message
...
Hello Everyone,
I am new and from Connecticut, We just moved here a month ago. Into a new
home we have no lawn or anything because the house was just renovated. We
have some seriou seeding to do soon, we are trying ot figure out where we
will garden etc... it is a lot of fun, we have such a large blank canvas. I
am curious what you all know about lawns too, We have a some what rocky
construction site are for a front yard. I know we need to get most the rocks
out before we seed but any other good ideas? Also, we are trying to figure
out what plants grow good in this climate since we just moved here.
Thanks for all your help!
Tiffany B


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.576 / Virus Database: 365 - Release Date: 2/9/2004

Thanks!





"T" wrote in message ...
Hello Tiffany...

I too am military..(or was, we are retired now)...We lived in VA at the time
and every year they'll give out flower vouchers in the sping for you to get
plants. With those you could make a small flower bed using some of the rocks
as a border.(they never give enough flowers to do a whole lot of planting
with)
You might even want to use more rocks to make a rock garden..(no mowing).
As far as your backyard, you just have to keep watering till the grass takes
hold so to speak.

Good luck living in base housing...


"Tiffany Bastian" wrote in message
...
Hello Everyone,
I am new and from Connecticut, We just moved here a month ago. Into a new
home we have no lawn or anything because the house was just renovated. We
have some seriou seeding to do soon, we are trying ot figure out where we
will garden etc... it is a lot of fun, we have such a large blank canvas. I
am curious what you all know about lawns too, We have a some what rocky
construction site are for a front yard. I know we need to get most the rocks
out before we seed but any other good ideas? Also, we are trying to figure
out what plants grow good in this climate since we just moved here.
Thanks for all your help!
Tiffany B


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.576 / Virus Database: 365 - Release Date: 2/9/2004

Thanks,
Not sure when they laid sod or how they did it bit it even has large gabs .. they didn't do a very good job but should I expect for free. The military does everything cheap. do you think aerating it would help as well?
Tiffany B.

Is there a need to fertilize sod? I have never dealt with it before thanks.

"tmtresh" wrote in message ...
The back, with sod: Just give it some time. The roots are all in the top
layer. Give it some time to grow into your soil. Also, did they water before
laying the sod? If they didn't, or you don't know, give it a deep watering
(also allowing time for it to penetrate.) Make sure you get the water deep
enough to go into your soil, rather than just in the sod.

The front: Definitely remove the rocks. Add some compost on top. rake it in
a little. Broadcast the seed, cover with straw, keep it moist for about 2
weeks, and you should see some results.

Thanks!





"T" wrote in message ...
Hello Tiffany...

I too am military..(or was, we are retired now)...We lived in VA at the time
and every year they'll give out flower vouchers in the sping for you to get
plants. With those you could make a small flower bed using some of the rocks
as a border.(they never give enough flowers to do a whole lot of planting
with)
You might even want to use more rocks to make a rock garden..(no mowing).
As far as your backyard, you just have to keep watering till the grass takes
hold so to speak.

Good luck living in base housing...


"Tiffany Bastian" wrote in message
...
Hello Everyone,
I am new and from Connecticut, We just moved here a month ago. Into a new
home we have no lawn or anything because the house was just renovated. We
have some seriou seeding to do soon, we are trying ot figure out where we
will garden etc... it is a lot of fun, we have such a large blank canvas. I
am curious what you all know about lawns too, We have a some what rocky
construction site are for a front yard. I know we need to get most the rocks
out before we seed but any other good ideas? Also, we are trying to figure
out what plants grow good in this climate since we just moved here.
Thanks for all your help!
Tiffany B


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.576 / Virus Database: 365 - Release Date: 2/9/2004

Thanks,
Not sure when they laid sod or how they did it bit it even has large gabs .. they didn't do a very good job but should I expect for free. The military does everything cheap. do you think aerating it would help as well?
Tiffany B.

Is there a need to fertilize sod? I have never dealt with it before thanks.

"tmtresh" wrote in message ...
The back, with sod: Just give it some time. The roots are all in the top
layer. Give it some time to grow into your soil. Also, did they water before
laying the sod? If they didn't, or you don't know, give it a deep watering
(also allowing time for it to penetrate.) Make sure you get the water deep
enough to go into your soil, rather than just in the sod.

The front: Definitely remove the rocks. Add some compost on top. rake it in
a little. Broadcast the seed, cover with straw, keep it moist for about 2
weeks, and you should see some results.

"Tiffany Bastian" wrote in message ...
Hello Everyone,
I am new and from Connecticut, We just moved here a month ago. Into a
new home we have no lawn or anything because the house was just
renovated. We have some seriou seeding to do soon, we are trying ot
figure out where we will garden etc... it is a lot of fun, we have such
a large blank canvas. I am curious what you all know about lawns too, We
have a some what rocky construction site are for a front yard. I know we
need to get most the rocks out before we seed but any other good ideas?
Also, we are trying to figure out what plants grow good in this climate
since we just moved here.
Thanks for all your help!
Tiffany B
--

If you tell me where you are in CT I will give you the phone number
for the closest cooperative extension office to you.

do you think aerating it would help as well?

I've never heard of aerating sod. It should have had loose soil underneath,
with plenty of room for air particles, so I wouldn't.

Is there a need to fertilize sod? I have never dealt with it before thanks.

Fertilize sod, once it's established, just like any other grass. Don't
fertilize until it's established, though, because the fertilizer doesn't
actually help the roots as much as it makes the tops grow. Just water deeply
and infrequently.

As for me, I don't use commercial fertilizers at all. I use a mulching mower
to return nutrients to the lawn, and every once in a while, apply a layer of
compost. Not so much to cover the tops of the grass, but enough to give it a
little extra food. It eventually works its way down into the soil. Also, if
you mow high, you should have less weeds, because the grass will block out
the light.

I know a lot of people on this newsgroup are against growing a lawn, but I
have kids, too. I want a safe place for them to play, so I grow grass.

Thanks,
Not sure when they laid sod or how they did it bit it even has large gabs .. they didn't do a very good job but should I expect for free. The military does everything cheap. do you think aerating it would help as well?
Tiffany B.

Is there a need to fertilize sod? I have never dealt with it before thanks.

"tmtresh" wrote in message ...
The back, with sod: Just give it some time. The roots are all in the top
layer. Give it some time to grow into your soil. Also, did they water before
laying the sod? If they didn't, or you don't know, give it a deep watering
(also allowing time for it to penetrate.) Make sure you get the water deep
enough to go into your soil, rather than just in the sod.

The front: Definitely remove the rocks. Add some compost on top. rake it in
a little. Broadcast the seed, cover with straw, keep it moist for about 2
weeks, and you should see some results.

Tiffany Bastian wrote:

Dwight we live in military housing so I have limits as to what I can
do, it is newly renovated and they left the lawn to us. I do have a
child and will be doing daycare from my home. I have sectioned off two
large areas I wll use as flower beds. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Tiffany B.

Where in New England Are You?

Massachusetts, east central about 30 miles from Boston, 20 miles from
Worcester, 20 miles from NH. Zone 6 or maybe 5 some years.

As you may have gathered from my post, I have a thing against lawns. I
consider them a useless waste of time and space. My lawn is about an
acre and it gets mowed four times a year whether it needs it or not. I
don't water, fertilize or weed. I drive and park on it. It would consume
me if I let it, but as you can see, I don't let it. (I try not to let
it. My wife has some input on the subject, frequently different from
mine.) There is a buffer between the lawn and the road, so unless you
look up close, it's generally nice and green. Up close it's somewhat
ragged, but it's still green. Since I don't mow in the summer, it stays
green. I don't recommend this regimen for anyone with an ordinary lawn
mower. It won't hack the tall stuff. I have a 6 foot flail mower to keep
it down.

However, if you have a bunch of kids running about, that changes the
equation drastically. With kids around, the lawn gets used, so all my
objections are irrelevant.

As soon as mud season is over, you can start. For a lawn, it's
sufficient to take out the surface rocks and anything sticking up. The
grass will hide a lot of stuff. This can be done for the most part with
a metal rake, a shovel and a wheelbarrow. If you have a really large
area you might want to rent a small tractor with a york rake or box
scraper, but you probably have 6-8 weeks to get it done, so most of it
can be done by hand up to a couple of acres. Do a little bit at a time
until you get back in shape after the winter. After that, seed, rake and
water, water and water. You will have to keep the area moist (no
standing water, but no dust either) for about 2-4 weeks until the grass
is established. A straw mulch helps to keep down evaporation from the
soil. It will decompose in place so you don't have to remove it later.
Let it grow fairly long before you start mowing it, and set the mower
high for the first few mowings.

Good luck, and don't let the curmudgeons get you down. There's a bit of
that in all of us anyway.