Landscaping/Gardening Thread.

[MacDaddy77]

absolutely would do AB one call just wondering about an actual permit

[DylanScores]

Any one here have synthetic turfs? Getting tired of mowing, watering the lawn plus I have developed allergy to grass the last few years. Thoughts, cost and good installers in town?

[llwhiteoutll]

Originally Posted by DylanScores

Any one here have synthetic turfs? Getting tired of mowing, watering the lawn plus I have developed allergy to grass the last few years. Thoughts, cost and good installers in town?

I used Rymar when I had mine installed in my backyard and am quite happy with the product and the installation. They used their Rymar 65 "grass".

The price covered the removal of the existing sod, grading/leveling of the ground, placing and compacting the crush required and then placing the actual "grass", as well as fitting around existing structures in the yard. Took them about 2 days and I think the all-in cost was about $9 per square foot. It comes on a big roll like carpet, so there will be a seam, but it's invisible.

Aside from looking a bit out of place in the winter and spring, I've had no issues with it. It's designed to drain water so there isn't pooling and my old roommate's dog didn't wreck it (aside from being confused). Feel wise, I can walk on it barefoot and not notice a huge difference in feeling.

Maintenance wise, I wash it off every few weeks with the hose and I'll probably get it power broomed this year to remove a few small flat spots.

If you want to come by to check it out, you're more than welcome to.

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

absolutely would do AB one call just wondering about an actual permit

No permit and you don't NEED to do OneCall for that depth. If you do, keep in mind that they won't mark private utilities. The suggestion to mark up a copy of your RPR with the locates is a good one though.

[Chingyul]

Anyone with general landscaper recommendations? Nothing fancy. Tearing out the front garden (overgrown) and sodding (7m x 7m ish). Grind out front hedges.

Got one quote so far, but wouldn't mind getting another to compare to.

And thoughts on just rototilling vs pulling everything up first?

[red sky]

Anyone use hose faucet timers? Looking to build some drip irrigation systems and would like to automate it.

[Iceman90]

Originally Posted by red sky

Anyone use hose faucet timers? Looking to build some drip irrigation systems and would like to automate it.

I use the simple ones by Orbit like this. I really like them, and the timer works well. This model specifically has the ability to have a "rain delay" which I really like.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

I use the simple ones by Orbit like this. I really like them, and the timer works well. This model specifically has the ability to have a "rain delay" which I really like.

Yeah, I was looking at the their dual valve one as I may try and set up some above ground sprinklers for my back yard as well. Reviews seem mostly positive and rain delay option is nice to have.

[Iceman90]

Originally Posted by red sky

Yeah, I was looking at the their dual valve one as I may try and set up some above ground sprinklers for my back yard as well. Reviews seem mostly positive and rain delay option is nice to have.

My Mom uses the triple valve and really likes it.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

My Mom uses the triple and really likes it.

*snort*

[Ironhorse]

Any advice how to get rid of Voles? I've got some of those little a-holes digging holes under my shed, and it looks like they're starting on my lawn also.

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Old guy tip...

if you have your utilities marked, find a copy of your Real property Report, google earth a shot of your backyard, or just make a sketch showing where everything is.

Thus the next time you have a project all your info is right there instead of having one call come out again.

I do think this is bad advice. Utilities can move around, and if you do hit something but didn't get it located you're going to be in trouble over it. Always get the locates done.

[Fuzz]

My advice is don't trust the locates as precise. I had a gas line done, and I knew judging from the point on the house to the valve in the alley roughly where a straight line was. The locate was a good 3 feet away. I had the supervisor come out and he marked it about where I thought it should be. I know they have some error in their locate, but always be careful in the vicinity.

[llwhiteoutll]

Originally Posted by metallicat

I do think this is bad advice. Utilities can move around, and if you do hit something but didn't get it located you're going to be in trouble over it. Always get the locates done.

I think marking up your RPR is fine, but agree that you should be getting locates done to confirm if you're going to be working in the vicinity. No need to if you can see the lines are far from your planned work space.

The other point to emphasize is that OneCall doesn't mark private utilities. So if you have added a power line to your garage or internet/TV lines, adding those in can be helpful down the line.

In addition to marking up my RPR with the garage power and data lines, I went one step further and basically did as-builts of my garage when I did all the wiring, along with pictures of all the walls. They'll stay with the house when I move, along with the original house plans and copies of all the permits. If the next owner needs a reference, they are there to use.

[Ashartus]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Any advice how to get rid of Voles? I've got some of those little a-holes digging holes under my shed, and it looks like they're starting on my lawn also.

I caught a lot using mousetraps by their holes, but I'm not sure I even put a dent into the population until my neighbour had an exterminator make multiple visits.

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

My advice is don't trust the locates as precise. I had a gas line done, and I knew judging from the point on the house to the valve in the alley roughly where a straight line was. The locate was a good 3 feet away. I had the supervisor come out and he marked it about where I thought it should be. I know they have some error in their locate, but always be careful in the vicinity.

It's been awhile since I took a ground disturbance course but you're also supposed to hand expose any utilities withing X distance of your dig zone as well.

[Fuzz]

Ya, I think they say within 1m of the locate must be hand exposed. But with my locate being almost 3 feet off, that could have gone bad.

[Tiger]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Any advice how to get rid of Voles? I've got some of those little a-holes digging holes under my shed, and it looks like they're starting on my lawn also.

Peanut butter in a trap worked great. Two voles down in an hour. put it by their holes or along a fence line

[Deviaant]

I'm trying to thicken up my lawn. I just bought some grass seed and I also want to fertalize the lawn. Should I lay the seed first, wait a week then fertalize? Or can I lay the grass seed and fertalize at the same time?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Old Yeller]

Where's the best place to buy sod in the city? Burnco?

[Reneeee]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

Where's the best place to buy sod in the city? Burnco?

I've ordered through bluegrass a few years now, always had good luck with their stuff.