H.O.W. Foundation

[TheArtist]

I have an insanely large back yard myself as I am on a corner lot.  I took a big chunk out of the back by creating a rose garden.  I used landscape timbers to form squares and long rectangles, then put mulch in the centers where the roses and trellises go, and chat on the 3' to 4' wide "trails" around and between them.  The chat acts as a grass barrier and helps with moisture issues.  I simply spray around the outer perimeter now and then to keep the grass at bay. I also have a studio out back and have some flower gardens to the left and right of the front door.  I laid pavers down the middle as a front porch and then went ahead and put pavers 3 feet wide to the left and right along the front of the garden areas so that its a straight shot to mow all across the front. The porch, studio and pavers frame in the flower garden and keep the grass out quite nicely.  

[heironymouspasparagus]

Timbers are good for squares.  I have used them in the past, but so much of what I have now is gonna have at least some veggies in it, I don't use them any more.  Or railroad ties for same reason.  Don't want any of those chemicals leaching into the soil around dinner.

[HoneySuckle]

We moved some old timber last year and saw what looked like a whole nest of termites!!!

I am leaning more toward the metal stuff.  Been looking at places where it's used and sure they get rusty, but should last a long time, not so? 

[heironymouspasparagus]

Metal lasts a long time.

Looking at both metal and plastic; which do you like the best?


Side question; your name is Honeysuckle - do you have any of the real plant around the yard?  (Pretty plant with a nice smell when in bloom.  Extremely invasive!)

[Conan71]

Timbers are good for squares.  I have used them in the past, but so much of what I have now is gonna have at least some veggies in it, I don't use them any more.  Or railroad ties for same reason.  Don't want any of those chemicals leaching into the soil around dinner.

Damn good point considering what is used to preserve the wood:

http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2531/NREM-5047web%20color.pdf

FMC and I both use the staked metal border material you buy in 8 ft. strips in the garden center at Lowe's or H-D.  It's flexible so you can create aesthetically-pleasing lines for your garden.  It's relatively inexpensive, easy to install and work with, and will last a long time.  The only downfall to the material is if the area you are wanting to install a border on is very uneven.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Honey,
Go with what you LIKE the best!!  Either material will give good service, so do what YOU like!  It's your house, so you should do it the way that makes you happiest and gives you the surrounding ambience that will make your time at home most enjoyable!!

[HoneySuckle]

Damn good point considering what is used to preserve the wood:

http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2531/NREM-5047web%20color.pdf

FMC and I both use the staked metal border material you buy in 8 ft. strips in the garden center at Lowe's or H-D.  It's flexible so you can create aesthetically-pleasing lines for your garden.  It's relatively inexpensive, easy to install and work with, and will last a long time.  The only downfall to the material is if the area you are wanting to install a border on is very uneven.

Yes, we have one hybrid Honeysuckle plant, and three smaller ones that we got last year at the garden show.  Don't remember what they were called.  It's kind of cheesy why I chose the name Honeysuckle.

There was a product at Bath & Bodyworks called "Honeysuckle" and everytime I used the lotion, wash or spray, everyone would compliment me.  My father in particular loved the scent.  Of course they don't carry it anymore!  Anyway, after my father passed away, I wanted to remember him so when prompted for a user name, I decided on Honeysuckle :-)

[HoneySuckle]

I wanted to give feedback on H.O.W. Foundation.

They came yesterday and spent about 4 1/2 hours.  I had them haul away some old firewood that had been under tarp for about 10 years!  The old, wooden swing set, was taken, as well as some branches, and other bits and pieces of garden stuff that was in a pile.

They worked on my hedges, plants, trimmed back a lot of stuff, uprooted some that I no longer cared about, dug up all the roots that were invading my front yard, and dug up a huge tree root that was like the size of a small tree trunk!  That thing was always in the way and we'd trip over it. Then they mowed and cleaned up.  A whopping $277 later, my yard looks better than before, and they are coming back on Sunday to help with the edging, filling in boxes with a truckload of soil I am having delivered today.

I may do the planting myself afterwards, but the hard work like digging, lifting, moving that soil to the backyard for future use etc., will be done by these able bodied men.

One thing I wanted to know is whether we are supposed to tip them?  I thought they said to me on the phone that they were not allowed to have money?  I was hesitant when asked for a tip by the supervisor yesterday.  He's also a recovering addict, but I guess worked his way up.  Since I wasn't sure, I didn't tip but then I felt badly     I don't want to encourage them to break the rules.  I paid by check just to avoid handing over all that cash also.

Somone with experience using H.O.W. please chime in and tell me what is proper procedure.


One thing I want to add is that you MUST be there to oversee everything.  Some of these guys have very low attention span and their memory seems to be bad because I told them something and they forgot within 5 minutes.  Something made me think to go outside and check on them and I realised that they needed to be talked through certain things, and reminded a lot.  But I am pleased with the results.

[nathanm]

For that price, I don't think I'd mind supervising. 

[Red Arrow]

For that price, I don't think I'd mind supervising. 

$61.55/hr for the group is a good deal.

[HoneySuckle]

I went to HD and Southwood nursery, but didn't see the same heavy duty metal border material that is used by landscapers.

Is it better to go with the stuff from HD than try to find same material as landscapers?  Is what they use better quality?  I was reading about installation and seems like you have to dig a trench.  I gather that the border they have at HD & Lowes does not require a trench?  You kind of hammer it in and connect with stakes?

[HoneySuckle]

The group today was OUTSTANDING!  OMG.  LIke day and night.

Friday guys worked well, but needed a lot of supervision.  This crew was very professional and knew what they were doing.

I'm stunned.  Will use them again.

[heironymouspasparagus]

We are happy for you!  That's good news!  I know nothing about tipping them - will ask around the family.  I think everyone forgot to mention the "adult supervision" aspect... sorry!

No, that is not cheesy story - that is a great reason (Honeysuckle name).  Honors his memory, gives you a happy little memory every time you use it, with the attendant 'warm fuzzy' feeling.  

Can't help with 'heavy duty' border - I use the Lowe's stuff.  That way, I can move it around if needed (SWMBO likes variety) and if damaged, it doesn't cost too much to replace.  Start with a little place and use it.  Maybe repeat another little area with plastic.  If you choose small place wisely, you are only $15 or 20 if you scrap it and go a different direction.  And if you decide you don't like, take it out, give it to a friend, set it at the curb with a sign that says "Free", or see if HOW or maybe even Habitat would want it as a donation for their yard work efforts.  It should not go to waste!

Experiment on small spaces a lot.  It is research, practice, tuition, and gives a cheap indication of whether you like or not.  (And lest you see "$20" and think, OMG, that's a lot, well what did it cost to fill the tank to go to each of those places??  So far.)

[HoneySuckle]

Actually, I ended up liking the metal actually.  We had plastic before and it sort of got warped in some areas, and tended to fall over.  Maybe it wasn't installed correctly?

Anyway, I got so excited about using metal, that once they were done with the larger area, I sent hubby back to HD to buy some more so they could put it in three areas!  If we were trying to install this, we would have taken several days, and several hours each day.  These 4 guys got to work and I was stunned at how quickly they got through.

Now the bigger thing I need/want is to have raised beds, but using bricks to build them. Sort of like the Linnaeus teaching garden.  Have you been there?  I love those higher beds, but may not go quite as high, though certainly raised to where I don't have to bend so much.  I injured my back several years ago, and while a little bending is fine, spending hours bending in the garden is murder on my back.

Now to find plants!  I so wish I had the time before to choose my plants so they could put them in the ground for me, but I was just too busy all week. 

Where would you all buy mulch?  I have used the stuff at HD and Lowest, but wondered if there was somewhere better, or are they about the same everywhere?

[Conan71]

Actually, I ended up liking the metal actually.  We had plastic before and it sort of got warped in some areas, and tended to fall over.  Maybe it wasn't installed correctly?

Anyway, I got so excited about using metal, that once they were done with the larger area, I sent hubby back to HD to buy some more so they could put it in three areas!  If we were trying to install this, we would have taken several days, and several hours each day.  These 4 guys got to work and I was stunned at how quickly they got through.

Now the bigger thing I need/want is to have raised beds, but using bricks to build them. Sort of like the Linnaeus teaching garden.  Have you been there?  I love those higher beds, but may not go quite as high, though certainly raised to where I don't have to bend so much.  I injured my back several years ago, and while a little bending is fine, spending hours bending in the garden is murder on my back.

Now to find plants!  I so wish I had the time before to choose my plants so they could put them in the ground for me, but I was just too busy all week. 

Where would you all buy mulch?  I have used the stuff at HD and Lowest, but wondered if there was somewhere better, or are they about the same everywhere?

About the same anywhere, but be really careful.  I use only pure cypress, but we discovered this year one of the big box stores was selling a "cypress blend" which contained "other forrest products".  No idea what those products are but when the Future Mrs. couldn't get a good answer on what those products were, I was unloading 15 bags off a flat cart back to the pallet.  Good call on her part.  Last thing I want on my property is termite treats.