Garden style - Spousal argument needs resolution

Nancy

Here's hoping that a title containing "spousal argument" will get lots of replies... I have 6 trees and hope for more, to be displayed outside in our small backyard. Starting last year, my own foot traffic, plus the pet dogs playing, caused the "lawn" to disintegrate. We now have an ugly mud garden. In summer we will again be dirt farmers, unless something else is done. What is this stubborn enchantment that men seem to have with grass? They work so hard and there is no horse around to benefit from eating it -- so, what's the point? What a waste! Yards are for dogs! I am trying to persuade my husband of 25 years that a Japanese Garden style in our yard would be perfecto. There are lovely mixes of mulch, pea gravel and even crushed rubber. Deep reds and chocolate browns (yes, I know to keep away from the cocoa mulch because of the dogs).... I could have a paved path, a water feature, raised garden beds for the flowers and veggies.... ahhh. Photos would be very welcome and any other kind of support (on my side of the story, ONLY)LOL Nancy

Advertisement

randyburtis

point out to hubby the time saved with him not having to water the lawn, moxw the lawn fertilize and deweed the lawn, sell the time saved aspect, i know we have the chance to redo the yard of the house we just bought, it is basically a mud area, and i am prepared to shell out some$$ now to save me time in the future, and i hate spending money, so if you can sell the time aspect, you might get your wish

BrianBay9

Don't blame all hubbies! It's my wife that insists on some amount of lawn. I could happily remove it all in favor of plantings and stone.

Brian

__________________
There's a difference between taking your art seriously, and taking yourself too seriously.

Aaron_K

Do what all women do... make your husband sleep on the sofa till he comes around to seeing things YOUR way

__________________
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Muriel Strode

Vulpes pilum mutat, non mores!

"A fox may change its skin but never its character"

badlad52

I've seen some real good books at B&N, never bothered to buy one though. But find some nice photos, in books, and go into the time saving argument, but money saving one, too! Our lawn drinks a lot of water in the summer, and it starts to add up!

But really, so much work goes into maintaining a decent looking lawn, what a pain! Feeding, weeding, mowing, barepatch repair, and if you have dogs...!

__________________
"If there are many ways to do something, than there's only one way to do it; any way you want!"

Joanie

As for a Japanese Garden for your birthday this year. Very, very sweetly.

I'm getting a greenhouse.

Right in the middle of the lawn.

Husbands are easy to work with if you approach them right.

Joanie

__________________

ChrisM

the lawn/ landscaping is something we pride ourselves on amongst the neighborhood men. when they look at my lawn while mowing thier own, they are as green with envy as my lawn is!!! it's totally for unspoken bragging rights!! LOL

joanie, i asked for a greenhouse too. my wife has decided that would be a waste of money since she wants to build a solarium/sunroom off the side of the house. i did the right thing and we will be doing it her way, only bigger so that i can have my way too!!!

chris

__________________
A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

Joanie

That's okay as long as she gets her way, Chris. What's the difference between a greenhouse and a sunroom? Is a sunroom primarily for people, with plants as accents, and a greenhouse is primarily for plants, with people as accents?

Joanie

__________________

ChrisM

in her mind........yes! but, we have come to a middle ground, kinda like a coffee shop in the middle of a tropical greenhouse.

chris

__________________
A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!