[Bubbalarry]

Stone also looks nice and thats the way we plan on adding and removing the ugly straw. Adding sod only gives the mower people $$$$.

Green looks good but not for part timers. It's not maintenance free.

[JohnN]

Bubbalarry,
I think stone's what we're planning too when the time comes.
Durable, attractive and low maintenance

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Bubbalarry

Stone also looks nice and thats the way we plan on adding and removing the ugly straw. Adding sod only gives the mower people $$$$.

Green looks good but not for part timers. It's not maintenance free.

Bubbalarry and JohnN:
We are currently getting estimates on river rock and seminole chips. I think rock costs about 7 times more than mulch!!! But lasts forever. If you find any great rock places, please let me know.

[Pete]

Straw is a breeding place for cockroaches.

And weeds will grow up through rock.

get some sakrette and a form and fill the yard in and maybe paint it they have some neat looking forms to use.

Or astroturf.


jmho

[JohnN]

Pete, can't that landscape material that lets water through but keeps weeds out (it's almost like fabric) be put under the rock? That's what I was thinking.

[njgranny]

They have rock at the place we're renting (Hudson, FL). I'm sure they have that stuff under the rocks, but the weeds are coming up. We use that stuff at home in Jersey, and, eventually, the weeds get through it.

The CYV we looked at last week had the straw and concrete in the back yard. I kind of liked it.

When we are actually ready to buy a house, I'll probably drive the salesperson nuts. I just want to make sure I get the house I want. :-)

[JohnN]

njg,
straw is pretty enough, I had it in Atlanta, but it decomposes fast I think, seems I was always refreshing it,

can't someone just "round up" a few times a year for the weeds that may come up?

I dunno.... just wanting low maintenance

[Bubbalarry]

If you can believe these landscapers who claim once the straw is up they spray an industrial spray thats 10 times stronger than roundup and last 5 years till you need to hit it again. Then they install screening supposedly will prevent those same weeds as well from popping up.

At least thats what they claim.

One scaper told me that if you don't take all the straw and some dirt out when applying stone it will cause a buildup and create a small mound where weeds can grow with less effort.

[njgranny]

I wonder if that spray stuff is harmful to dogs?

[The Great Fumar]

njgranny
Naw , it can't be , otherwise I would be spraying it everywhere...

bow wowed fumar

[njgranny]

Wise guy!!!!!