Welcome to my journal of trying to get my front lawn and garden under control. I’m no expert, just a homeowner who wants a nice-looking lawn and garden. I’m writing this down so maybe it will help someone else in a similar situation. And I’d love to hear any advice you have on how to make it happen. I have a degree in natural sciences, so I’ll be trying to use some of that knowledge in this project. I inherited a large garden that was unkept for a few years, so I need first to catalog plantings and clean weeds, vines etc. My front garden faces east and is shaded after three pm. I live on an otherwise wooded lot so I get some “creep” from the forest plus shade from the forest. The rear garden is mostly grass and vegetable garden with the most space taken up by an in-ground pool. In the rear planting areas i have few hours of direct sunlight.
I don’t use pesticides or chemical fertilizers on my lawn or garden. However, I do apply lime in the spring to adjust the pH of the soil. I know that New Jersey soil is acidic, so I just have to decide how much lime to add. I also use herbicide to get rid of poison ivy, just cause poison ivy!
I am going to write about my experiences with animals and birds in my garden. I will also share methods for keeping pests away from the garden. Common visitors to the garden include deer, groundhogs, woodchucks, mice, voles, crows, and even the occasional black bear. Domestic animals such as cats and dogs can also be a problem, as well as rabbits, which I believe have two warrens in my yard. I do not consider rabbits to be a nuisance because they seem to enjoy eating dandelions. However, there are numerous ways to encourage pests to stay out of a garden.
