The landscaping forum is becoming an ad forum
 

I'll take credit as the guy who suggested a landscape forum a couple few years back under the prior administration.

Seems now-a-days, most of the threads are
mostly landscaping advertisers and happy/unhappy customers, rather than
anything really to do with plants and landscaping. However, times change.

If the landscapers want to post repeatedly about how good they are,
I'd sure appreciate some tips besides on maintenace, care, tricks, little know facts, etc. and not just chest-thumping.

Just calling it as I see it. Back to normal programming.

I agree when you post a problem all advice is greatly welcomed, but would be nice to hear from a pro once in a while

To any and all professional Landscapers.....
 

I don't want the cloth type stuff that is put down under pine straw to quell the weeds. We use Preen and it pretty much keeps the weeds at bay, but not entirely. I just ordered 20 bales of pines straw and we (mostly Sweetie) put it down.

I was told by the first person who took care of our lawn here that pine straw had bugs and invited termites. I realize that both of those things aren't true. He kept suggesting rocks or ground cover that he was selling. Although it is pretty, it isn't conducive to planting flowers and it makes the beds very hot in the summer by retaining heat.

The landscapers who take care of all of the beautiful public areas use pine straw and I figure if it works for them it will work for me.

So experts? How thick should pine straw be after it settles and how often should we put fresh pine straw down?

Hi Gracie, I'm no expert but my advice is free and from my experience.
I used pine straw for many years when I lived in Atlanta.
I also have it here along one side of my corner villa where I have junipers planted.

Thickness, it fluffs pretty easy when new then pats down from the weather.
Really doesn't need to be any thicker than to well cover the ground, a few inches.

Duration, pine straw wears out quicker than the other stuff since it's so thin.
Normally it lasts about a year - once a year (spring) and I spruce it up a bit.
If you're picky about how it looks, might be twice annually.
Best wishes. Tell Sweetie to get back to work.

I read on this forum that pine straw attracts ticks. True or false?

I think any ground cover can attract ticks etc. Even in the grass, ticks live.

I think what we are trying to converse here in the Forum, is we look for answers to Landscape problems without having to attend a Seminar. We have Landscape questions, and look for answers here in this forum. Your expertise is very valuable to us, and when we have questions, we hope you respond with technical answers. Thanks so much!!!!:bowdown::pepper2::bigbow:

dear not-steve - you are missing the point! this forum was started for posters who wanted answers to questions - NOT advertisements and/or invitations to seminars or to stop by a showroom! posters are hoping for ANSWERS without having to leave home and computer.

Hi GG,
Like JohnN, we also have used pine straw in Atlanta. It works well for keeping out weeds if you maintain it at a few inches. We had to supplement twice a year, and eventually switched to wood chips primarily for that reason. I liked the pine straw though and it was much better at weed control than the wood chips are, so that's a definite plus. Never had an issue with bugs or termites. Also, I like the smell of pine straw.

Very well put!!!!!! Thanks Its exactly what we are looking for:clap2:

my guess is that 'not-steve' knows marketing and advertising but not landscaping...maybe someday steve will show up with answers! :shrug:

I agree with the OP. It seems that many of the posts that appear here should be moved over to the Contractors and Services forum since that is where people can ask about, praise or complain about contractors - whether they be window washers, auto mechanics, or landscapers. I was hoping that this forum would be where people could help each other with plant selection (does plant x survive in Central Florida) or problems or other types of landscaping questions such as the one that Gracie just asked.

I defended Mansfield in another thread, but unless you are capable of giving knowledgeable answers to specific questions in this forum, then I think you should restrict your posts to those forums that are intended for advertisements. And to be honest, I don't think that you are serving your “client” very well with your posts.

Exactly Skybo!!!!!:BigApplause:

Maybe we need to get some other Landscapers who want to be helpful to this forum and just answer questions and make recommendations.:BigApplause: