Home and garden projects
Jul 16th 2019, 11:33 am
#1474
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: CT
Posts: 33,489
Jul 17th 2019, 8:05 pm
#1475
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1
Re: Home and garden projects
So, with spring just around the corner (we hope 
), what projects or improvements do you have planned around your home or garden?
I have been working on "finishing" a closet off the bonus room over the garage. I will be doing a full lining of drywall, but first it means moving the insulation from the inside "wall" over to the knee wall on the other side, and roof joists, which has meant adding timber to the wall and roof joists to make room for a full 5.5"-6" of insulation.
Outside I have been felling some trees (count: 9, 65'-81' trees
) to increase the sun shining on the turf I laid last summer, and I am hoping to plant some vegetables this year for the first time in three years. As soon as we get some warmer and dry weather I will be replacing the screening on the screen porch because it is getting a bit old and has a couple of small tears.
), what projects or improvements do you have planned around your home or garden?I have been working on "finishing" a closet off the bonus room over the garage. I will be doing a full lining of drywall, but first it means moving the insulation from the inside "wall" over to the knee wall on the other side, and roof joists, which has meant adding timber to the wall and roof joists to make room for a full 5.5"-6" of insulation.
Outside I have been felling some trees (count: 9, 65'-81' trees
) to increase the sun shining on the turf I laid last summer, and I am hoping to plant some vegetables this year for the first time in three years. As soon as we get some warmer and dry weather I will be replacing the screening on the screen porch because it is getting a bit old and has a couple of small tears.As far as the description is concerned, you can imagine how beautiful your garden will be.
We also have a little workbench in the yard and it's very important for us to plumbing it for irrigation, which is really what the plumbing company is doing for us to make us happy and satisfied.
Jul 17th 2019, 9:11 pm
#1476
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 129
Re: Home and garden projects
we had a swamp out back due to the hilly area / gradients and basements all around our region. Best option apart from moving was to dig a 12" deep hole and install a Patio last summer which I will never do by myself again. This summer a small supporting wall completed to intersect the shallow gradient with a french drain, and just completing some lansdscaping of the area now. A small rock garden will follow. + 550 square feet of Landscape instead of Swamp, these things take time, and energy, lots!
Jul 17th 2019, 9:26 pm
#1477
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Home and garden projects
Great improvement. Did you do it all yourself? I do my own home projects but have never done any pavers. What part of the country are you in?
Jul 17th 2019, 10:34 pm
#1478
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 129
Re: Home and garden projects
Prior to constructing the patio I dug the hole in 2-3 weeks at a rate at 1-2 carts of dirt a night and more on the weekends, that was in april when the ground was moist it was easy to shovel up chunks.
If your physically fit with good knees, ankles and back it is achievable if planned in stages. I gave myself a good 6 week break between making the hole , material ordering, pumping out the new pond, and filing it back up with a patio. I had never made a Patio before either or layed a brick but I am reasonably keen with home improvements, and clearly naive when it comes down to labour (Labor).
we are just outside of Lynchburg, VA. I am Happy to share details recorded in .pdf if anyone is interested.
Jul 17th 2019, 11:56 pm
#1479
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Home and garden projects
Being able to do things for yourself saves a lot of money, gives a better result, and avoids the stress and drama trying to deal with contractors. I recently built my own house and by far the most traumatic part was the portion I had to contract out which was concrete, brick and drywall. I did everything else myself.
Jul 19th 2019, 6:48 pm
#1480
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Home and garden projects
Our compost bin is currently having a much better looking tomato plant growing than our raised veg box....which consists of mostly weeds, a couple of pathetic tomato plants and some cucumbers and peas.
Aug 1st 2019, 4:18 pm
#1481
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: Home and garden projects
Has everyone had a successful garden this year? Here in CT, I think we've had our best garden ever--we've never had such a profusion of flowers and such growth on the shrubs and perennials. I put it down to the fact that we actually had a spring for once. The hydrangea buds usually get murdered by a cold snap after they've started to grow, then it goes straight to 80 degree days, but that didn't happen this spring and for the first time in about five years we have massive hydrangea plants, all covered in blossoms. We have beds overflowing with bee balm, as seeds that usually fall to the ground and don't winter over obviously did so this year. A stargazer lily that hasn't even put its head above ground in years (and which I presumed had been eaten by a vole) reappeared and is in full fragrant bloom. The hosta are loaded with flowers (making my neighbor's bees very happy), and a climbing blaze rose on a trellis has also been covered in sprays of flowers for the first time in years. We've been creating this garden for twenty years now, but there's been the most progress ever this spring/summer, and it really makes us feel as if we're getting there! Of course, the lack of rain is now going to start taking its toll . . . .
Aug 1st 2019, 4:22 pm
#1482
Turning into a PA gal!
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: State College PA, finally!
Posts: 3,563
Re: Home and garden projects
My hosta have flowered this year and most other plants have done well so far. My annuals/bedding plants are also giving me lots of showy blooms, particularly the impatiens. After last year's incredibly wet summer this one seems more predictable and typical, I am told. The tomatoes, aubergines and curcubits are doing nicely too.
Aug 1st 2019, 5:20 pm
#1483
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: Home and garden projects
I have a tomato/herb/chili garden in pots on my deck, allegedly to keep them safe from dogs and critters. But the chipmunks have stolen all the tomatoes and the chilies are for reasons unknown not having a great year. I am freezing lots of batches of pesto, though.
