Lawn and Landscaping

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troyguitar
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Desertbreh wrote: Tue May 29, 2018 5:19 pm Seriously, am I the only guy on this forum who hires out his yardwork? At $150/month base (not including overseeding, palm tree trimming, etc.) there is no way in hell I'm wasting my time with this stuff.
30 minutes a week and 2 gallons of gas a year takes care of the lawn here. If I could get paid $75 an hour for mindless labor like this, I'd do it for a living. The :math: is simple, it's way cheaper to DIY than to work enough extra hours to hire :manuel: who may or may not show up.

Also, there are at most 2 people here who make more money than you... of course you spend more than most of us on most things. This shouldn't be a surprise, counselor.
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troyguitar wrote: Sat Jun 02, 2018 11:51 am
Desertbreh wrote: Tue May 29, 2018 5:19 pm Seriously, am I the only guy on this forum who hires out his yardwork? At $150/month base (not including overseeding, palm tree trimming, etc.) there is no way in hell I'm wasting my time with this stuff.
30 minutes a week and 2 gallons of gas a year takes care of the lawn here. If I could get paid $75 an hour for mindless labor like this, I'd do it for a living. The :math: is simple, it's way cheaper to DIY than to work enough extra hours to hire :manuel: who may or may not show up.

Also, there are at most 2 people here who make more money than you... of course you spend more than most of us on most things. This shouldn't be a surprise, counselor.
I think it must have more to do with climate and age than $$. I didn't really start hating yardwork until I moved here. And to be clear, it's not the mowing I hate, its the rest of it. I mean, I'm a true blue midwesterner who started mowing the lawn when I was 9 and quit when I was....42? Part of the reason I'm on this forum is to keep in touch with different generational viewpoints, and I'm just surprised that at least some of you young guys don't hold a "yardwork is for chumps" ethos regardless of the cost. But you don't.

Maybe I just need to move somewhere where mowing the lawn might be considered enjoyable vs. a death wish. It's 106 today....I'm not happy about it.
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troyguitar
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Why do you even have a lawn? Let it rot if that's your climate. It's a stupid waste of water and money and time to create a lawn where it won't sustain itself.

FWIW there is nothing enjoyable about maintaining it here, I simply do not make $75+ per hour therefore I deal with my own shit.
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Desertbreh
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troyguitar wrote: Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:17 pm Why do you even have a lawn? Let it rot if that's your climate. It's a stupid waste of water and money and time to create a lawn where it won't sustain itself.

FWIW there is nothing enjoyable about maintaining it here, I simply do not make $75+ per hour therefore I deal with my own shit.
You're preaching to the choir brohanesburg. SOME of the neighbors have pulled out their lawns and installed desertscape, eg. rocks, sand cactus, etc.

The quick answer is because grass is cheap....an attractive hardscape front yard is like $20K. So the developer put in grass. We've looked at artifical turf (hot AF, burns dogs feet) and hardscape, just haven't done it.
I was not the original purchaser of this house, nor do I intend to reside in it in 5 years, so I'm not in a rush to blow the cash. But yes sir, grass in the desert makes a Johnny steak dinner look extremely efficient and frugal.
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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It actually gets worse. Bermuda (a weed in Kentucky) is the summer lawn. In October you scalp the Bermuda and overseed it with Winter Rye, so you have nice green grass in December. I opted out of that process for a couple of drought years.
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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I'll try and take a few pics of interesting desertscape front yards.
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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Desertbreh wrote: Sat Jun 02, 2018 9:26 pm It actually gets worse. Bermuda (a weed in Kentucky) is the summer lawn. In October you scalp the Bermuda and overseed it with Winter Rye, so you have nice green grass in December. I opted out of that process for a couple of drought years.
:wtf: :disgust:

I understand doing dumb things because of a short term ownershit situation :doe:
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I like the way desertscape looks.
Desertbreh wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
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Detroit wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:12 pm I like the way desertscape looks.
If you put in the effort and $$, it can me quite :amaze: Just throwing a bunch of red rock looks like shit :doe:
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:25 pm
Detroit wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:12 pm I like the way desertscape looks.
If you put in the effort and $$, it can me quite :amaze: Just throwing a bunch of red rock looks like shit :doe:
Yes. It certainly takes effort.
Desertbreh wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
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Detroit wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:28 pm
Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:25 pm

If you put in the effort and $$, it can me quite :amaze: Just throwing a bunch of red rock looks like shit :doe:
Yes. It certainly takes effort.
Image

Decent example. Spendy large boulders, "red rock river," topical relief, a few nice cacti. If I were building a new house here, this is the kind of thing I would do.
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:40 pm
Detroit wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:28 pm
Yes. It certainly takes effort.
Image

Decent example. Spendy large boulders, "red rock river," topical relief, a few nice cacti. If I were building a new house here, this is the kind of thing I would do.
:megusta:
Desertbreh wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
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Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:40 pm
Detroit wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:28 pm
Yes. It certainly takes effort.
Image

Decent example. Spendy large boulders, "red rock river," topical relief, a few nice cacti. If I were building a new house here, this is the kind of thing I would do.
Couldn't $300/mo fund a setup like that within a couple of years? I guess that shit all costs more than I think since I don't care about rocks/plants. I'd be cool with gravel covering the property, then using gasoline to kill/prevent weeds.
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troyguitar wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:45 pm
Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:40 pm

Image

Decent example. Spendy large boulders, "red rock river," topical relief, a few nice cacti. If I were building a new house here, this is the kind of thing I would do.
Couldn't $300/mo fund a setup like that within a couple of years? I guess that shit all costs more than I think since I don't care about rocks/plants. I'd be cool with gravel covering the property, then using gasoline to kill/prevent weeds.
:nuke: :mahtroy: :thisisfine:
Desertbreh wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
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troyguitar wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:45 pm
Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:40 pm

Image

Decent example. Spendy large boulders, "red rock river," topical relief, a few nice cacti. If I were building a new house here, this is the kind of thing I would do.
Couldn't $300/mo fund a setup like that within a couple of years? I guess that shit all costs more than I think since I don't care about rocks/plants. I'd be cool with gravel covering the property, then using gasoline to kill/prevent weeds.
I don't know the precise cost of something like this. Rocks and mature cactus in particular are not free doe. TBH, it's just something I'd address if I had more time....it seems like household stuff goes pretty slow for us.

Your gravel and gasoline idea, while humorous is, :gtfo: The above is sort of a Scottsdale/Sedona "magical desert" type situ, what you are suggesting....flat gravel...adds an element of poverty and despair to someplace already too hot. Your gasoline idea would likely draw some comments from the HOA.
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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Yeah, I'm really only interested in poverty houses. $200k is the upper limit and an HOA is a straight up :nope:

Looking at listings in the Phoenix area (wife is interviewing at a plant in Glendale), it seems like anything affordable is beige and ugly regardless so why put any more effort into it?
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troyguitar wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 4:09 pm Yeah, I'm really only interested in poverty houses. $200k is the upper limit and an HOA is a straight up :nope:

Looking at listings in the Phoenix area (wife is interviewing at a plant in Glendale), it seems like anything affordable is beige and ugly regardless so why put any more effort into it?
Mmmmmm....have not really investigated the Phoenix market.

Here is a place with Poverty Rock. I am :disappoint: as to what's on offer for $369K. I think the housing market has gone full retard again. https://www.realtor.com/realestateandho ... 0540-31147
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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Arizona is a very 5/7 state :doe:, nothwithstanding swarthy flatbrim gasoline retailers.
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:25 pm
Detroit wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:12 pm I like the way desertscape looks.
If you put in the effort and $$, it can me quite :amaze: Just throwing a bunch of red rock looks like shit :doe:
But, as we learned, doing so is :wrong:
:wap: Where are these mangos?
Detroit wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:19 pm I don't understand anything anymore.
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wap
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Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:40 pm
Detroit wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:28 pm
Yes. It certainly takes effort.
Image

Decent example. Spendy large boulders, "red rock river," topical relief, a few nice cacti. If I were building a new house here, this is the kind of thing I would do.
That's 5/7.

So, does that just stay that way forever with minimal maintenance since those plants seem to be slow growing and there are no leaves to deal with?
:wap: Where are these mangos?
Detroit wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:19 pm I don't understand anything anymore.
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wap wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:20 pm
Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:25 pm

If you put in the effort and $$, it can me quite :amaze: Just throwing a bunch of red rock looks like shit :doe:
But, as we learned, doing so is :wrong:
Just toss on some gasoline and light it aflame. Arson charges :doe:
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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Desertbreh
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wap wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:21 pm
Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:40 pm

Image

Decent example. Spendy large boulders, "red rock river," topical relief, a few nice cacti. If I were building a new house here, this is the kind of thing I would do.
That's 5/7.

So, does that just stay that way forever with minimal maintenance since those plants seem to be slow growing and there are no leaves to deal with?
Correct. You still have to use a blower to get rid of the inevitable debris. The only truly maintenance free front yard is a concrete slab.
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:24 pm
wap wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:21 pm

That's 5/7.

So, does that just stay that way forever with minimal maintenance since those plants seem to be slow growing and there are no leaves to deal with?
Correct. You still have to use a blower to get rid of the inevitable debris. The only truly maintenance free front yard is a concrete slab.
I would totally do that if those plants would survive here.
:wap: Where are these mangos?
Detroit wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:19 pm I don't understand anything anymore.
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Desertbreh
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wap wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:29 pm
Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:24 pm

Correct. You still have to use a blower to get rid of the inevitable debris. The only truly maintenance free front yard is a concrete slab.
I would totally do that if those plants would survive here.
Yeah I need to get off my ass and get some bids.
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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Desertbreh wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:33 pm
wap wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:29 pm

I would totally do that if those plants would survive here.
Yeah I need to get off my ass and get some bids.
:doit:
:popcorn:
:wap: Where are these mangos?
Detroit wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:19 pm I don't understand anything anymore.
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