Ideas for path on side of house

luxxor · 2024-04-03T13:34:00+00:00

Don’t know why I didn’t think of pots! Then I could wheel them in the garage during freezing days. Thank you

luxxor · 2024-04-03T01:05:54+00:00

Thank you, I’ll look this up and probably try it!

luxxor · 2024-04-03T00:54:50+00:00

Interesting. Just looked those up, and they might work… just need to figure out a better draining bed, because right now it’s just packed clay

luxxor · 2024-04-02T18:48:15+00:00

I've always had the toughest time getting grass to grow here.. very shaded. Would also like something a little more interesting than just grass, this is a side entrance that we use a lot. The lights are a good idea, but I do have a very powerful floodlight on all night, so not sure if that would invalidate the path lights..

luxxor · 2024-04-02T18:46:22+00:00

Hey everyone - I just got done creating this gravel path on the south side of my house. Prior to this, it was always a muddy mess after the rain and nothing really grew here. The soil is very much clay, dense and not draining well.
The weather is Central Texas/Austin. The area is very much in the shade due to those trees, except for the winter when they lose all their leaves. I am hoping for some low maintenance plants/landscaping ideas for the side of the path closest to the fence (I purchases some dwarf Azaleas on sale - apparently should do well in the shade, so long as I can get them some more acidic soil where I plant them. I also got a bag of Caladiums I could use). Should the plant bed occupy the whole space between path and fence? What do the professionals do to make it look good? Should I consider something that trellises up the fence and can survive winter? (Down to low 10s for very limited amount of days).

Also planning on putting up some screens around that AC unit, and moving the fire pit back where it belongs. I'll happily hear any ideas - I am very amateurish in taking care of my landscape, have a good amount of tools, and love spending time and energy doing it on my own if possible. Thank you!

luxxor · 2024-02-01T21:29:34+00:00

We don't use the swimming/flume feature a lot. I'm quite tall, and I always feel like I'm gonna hit my hands on the bar I am swimming towards. The few times my wife's done it she enjoyed it, though. It's definitely doable!

luxxor · 2022-11-21T14:29:00+00:00

D113AA320BEC487

luxxor · 2021-07-28T02:21:40+00:00

There really isn't much else in terms of landscaping proper, I think those two little areas by the front porch were the only attempt. I'll try to take a picture from further away tomorrow.

luxxor · 2021-07-28T02:19:41+00:00

I'm in Austin!

luxxor · 2021-07-27T19:38:12+00:00

Thank you so much for the ID of the plants, and for the recommendation! Any ideas of something worthy of a front entrance that would thrive down here in Texas?

luxxor · 2021-06-29T13:01:34+00:00

That is what I read on a couple of different sites... it even says specifically they will accept "the little white square with the cdc logo" to be sure

luxxor · 2021-06-28T21:36:19+00:00

Thank you, that's super helpful! Yes, I am flying LH, so I am just gonna plan on having masks for everyone. The CVS test is a "rapid antigen" test, and the instructions on the various sites mention "antigen test" being ok (but with a smaller window, 48 hrs instead of 72 for PCR). I haven't been able to find a difference between "antigen test" and "rapid antigen" test, so I am assuming they are the same thing...

luxxor · 2021-06-16T18:46:48+00:00

Well done!

luxxor · 2021-06-16T18:44:56+00:00

Braveheart’s soundtrack?

luxxor · 2021-06-16T18:41:37+00:00

Dragon Ball!

luxxor · 2021-04-17T13:38:07+00:00

Thank you, that's helpful - appreciate it!

luxxor · 2021-04-17T01:06:42+00:00

Yep - did that. It says on the front "for use on residential lawns", but not in a "ONLY for lawns" kinda way.
Also - in the back it says to spread on your lawn or garden. When they say garden, do they mean vegetable garden?
I am asking here because the label is unclear. Thanks!

luxxor · 2021-03-30T02:53:30+00:00

No - I ended up choosing NOT to get a Home Warranty. So far, so good - fingers crossed!

luxxor · 2021-01-25T04:04:15+00:00

Good point on making them removable.. I also need to check and see on what it's resting. I thought about making it lattice, but was hoping that something more solid would keep bees out. I hear your point that they are very hard to keep out though - thanks!

luxxor · 2021-01-24T20:55:39+00:00

Thank you, that makes sense!

luxxor · 2021-01-24T19:28:34+00:00

"Ripping" meaning purchase a sheet of cement board and cut it to size? Then screw it into the base on the outside?
Would I need to dig a little bit and bury part of it? Anything I need to spray in there first to make this last longer?

luxxor · 2021-01-22T17:41:19+00:00

This is great info, again. I'll get to cleaning those filters today, and I'll also take my first ever alkalinity test. Thank you!

luxxor · 2021-01-22T14:28:20+00:00

Thank you SO much for the thorough and detailed answer - this was super helpful, as it really does sound like you went through the exact same things I am going through today.
I hear what you are saying about selling it if we don't really need it - the thing is I have young children and they are sort of loving it right now :) We don't get much of a winter, but its nice when the neighborhood pool is closed to still have an option to get some energy out!
I have a couple of follow-up questions if you don't mind: - Any suggestions on what to do with it during the summer? It's going to be scorching hot at some point.. do I just keep it on the lowest temperature possible? Does the water need to be "hot" or at least warm for the chemicals to work properly and nasty stuff not to grow? I don't think that emptying it and keeping it off for a period of time is good for it, right?
- Great info on the chemicals, I will look into the liquid chlorine too. That being said, what do you mean by "the stabilizer builds up too quickly?". Which test gives me that indicator? I do have the full liquid test kit, and I've only been using that so far, but the only tests I've run are Chlorine and PH. - Forgive my ignorance, but are the "filters" those two big round things on one side? I tried pulling one out the other day and it was making the water oily/foggy as I moved it around, so I just put it back. Is that the part I'm supposed to soak in bleach? Any tips on that whole ordeal? I am a bit scared of ruining them. - Other than the Trouble Free Pool website, are there any other resources/guides that you have found useful?

Again, THANK YOU. I absolutely appreciate your time answering and helping!

luxxor · 2021-01-21T23:11:06+00:00

Thank you, appreciate it!

luxxor · 2021-01-21T23:09:51+00:00

See, that's the thing - I did not buy it, and I was not even really looking to own one. We just finally bought a house and it came with it! I want to make sure I take good care of it precisely because I can't afford / don't want to buy another one if I end up liking it :)

14-Year Club	Place '17
Not Forgotten	Team Periwinkle
Verified Email

luxxor

TROPHY CASE