--- Begin Message ---
- Subject: good links, and other, sort of off topic, stuff
- From: lorettajacobs l*@comcast.net
- Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 17:01:19 +0000
> nancy@lighthousenet.com wrote:
> > Greetings from Santa Cruz, Isabel.
> >
>
> > http://www.laspilitas.com/fire.htm
I found a great page on this link, regarding replacing a lawn with an
alternative. Hopefully a low cost, semi drought tolerant, efficient
setting. I have recently moved into an ecological disaster area. In
addition to part of the property, having been sorely neglected for at least
a decade, and now gone to a ruinous , hazardous mess, there are 2 lawns.
Not one, TWO!
One, the front lawn, has a huge Modesto Ash struggling along in it, so
there are major, huge roots all over the place, sucking every last little
bit of moisture and nutrition that is intended for the lawn. Not that I
mind that, I am very happy with the tree, it didn't leaf out until mid
July, and it is a beautiful thing to behold. Old fashioned looking. The
entire block is lined with them, and it is by far what makes the
neighborhood what it is. A nice, shady lane. (This is Greenbrae, btw.)
So, my thought is to get rid of the lawn. After reading this page from the
Las Pilitas site, I am much encouraged.
Some of you may remember I mentioned a while ago that this property owner
has no interest in the upkeep of the outside of the house, to a shocking
degree. He won't pay for anything. The water bill for the last period (2
months) was $126.00, which is a monumental waste of money and a precious
resource.
As a renter I am faced with this dilemma every time I move, which isn't
often. How much time and effort and money can I afford, or do I want to
spend here? I get a little cranky. ;-)
It could be a beautiful space. I am a disabled person living on a very low
fixed income, but I can hardly bear to be near the back yard, facing the
fire disaster area, unless I am working on it. When I go to the front, I
can't even pass by without getting engaged in some detail, pruning this or
that, picking up stuff, moving stuff around. I can't just walk on by. In
other words, I CANNOT leave it alone. I made a decision to do just that,
just leave it like I found it, hahaha..... So I figure I am totally
...um...screwed.
Are there other renters on this wonderful list that can relate to this
issue? I know that Sean used to be a renter?? Are you still? I will
probably, in time, end up clearing the hillside, and replacing the lawn,
and even pay for hauling ,etc., materials. And I will be cranky about it,
but I don't see an alternative. I sure wish I had some help though.
Thanks for listening,
loretta
formerly posting from Fairfax
Oh, BTW, I am a *VERY* common gardener. But dedicated, none the less. ;-)
--- End Message ---
