Stone Gardens vs Grass Gardens

[Siani]

The problem I have is that I have a rai of garden and if I cover the whole lot with grass, I'm going to need a ridiculous amount of water every day to keep it alive, which might make it look green but isn't at all from an environmental point of view. I'm putting in a lot of trees and stone on the ground instead.

Maybe have some grass, enough to cope with and put your feet on Re: Watering, can't you get some water buts in to store up water? They is loads of rain in Thailand...also there are some special grasses suitable for hot climates such as Thailand and Australia.
I agree a vinyl base sheet is not so good. Maybe just in the main path, then shrubs either side of it.

[STEVE G]

Yes, I'll put a bit in at the back and from my experience of having a lawn back in England many years ago, I'll get to connect with it often to mow it, water it, feed it, pull moss and weeds out of it, replant dead patches and all that other stuff that grass requires. I remember my Father once coming around and tricking me into spending a Sunday afternoon poking a fork into it about a thousand times in a desperate attempt to make it prosper. To be honest, for something that is so renown for being green, grass takes an amazing amount of effort to acheive that state.

[midlandmike]

I think the vinyl sheet is a good idea. Does help to keep grass and weds from penetrating, helps but some determined little buggers will break through but MUCH cheaper than 3,500 baht per load of stones

[Siani]

Yes, I'll put a bit in at the back and from my experience of having a lawn back in England many years ago, I'll get to connect with it often to mow it, water it, feed it, pull moss and weeds out of it, replant dead patches and all that other stuff that grass requires. I remember my Father once coming around and tricking me into spending a Sunday afternoon poking a fork into it about a thousand times in a desperate attempt to make it prosper. To be honest, for something that is so renown for being green, grass takes an amazing amount of effort to acheive that state.

Glad you will keep a bit...it can be very rewarding. If you have pleanty of room..grow 2 trees (or more) and when they a tall you will have somewhere to put your hammock over the grass
I used to love it when the grass had been just freshly mown...still do.
You can make your own compost too.
Grass clippings, being mostly water and very rich in nitrogen, are problematic in compost bins because they tend to compact, increasing the chance of becoming soggy and emitting a strong ammonia-like odor. Follow these tips for composting this valuable "green", thereby minimizing odor and matting, and increasing quick decomposition:

Tip #1:Compost in thin layers, intermixed in a 2-to-1 ratio with "brown" materials such as dry leaves or plant debris (saving/bagging Fall's leaves is perfect for Spring/Summer grass composting). Always put a thick layer of course brown material at bottom of bin for aeration.

Tip #2:Let grass clippings dry out for a couple of days before composting.

Tip #3:If your bin is stuffed full of grass clippings, turn the pile (use a compost aerator tool) every few days for very fast results. Especially do this to bring air into matted, smelly piles.


It's a matter of getting organised really speaking. We kept a lovely lawn in Australia. There is no reason why you can't keep it green ...just look at the golf courses etc. It's lovely to create your own little piece of paradise.

[wpcoe]

That last post reminded me of something from my youth back in the dark ages. I recall being taught to not store closed bags of grass clippings unless they had first thoroughly dried out. Something about spontaneous combustion? Or, is that urban legend?

[STEVE G]

... Something about spontaneous combustion? Or, is that urban legend?

Apparently not!:

Home gutted by fire after compost bin spontaneously combusts in hot weather

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... lames.html

[Siani]

That last post reminded me of something from my youth back in the dark ages. I recall being taught to not store closed bags of grass clippings unless they had first thoroughly dried out. Something about spontaneous combustion? Or, is that urban legend?

Nothing quite like old remedies for success, especially with gardening Much cheaper than commercial modern products. Not from the dark ages at all...common sense... going back to basics

[Dannie Boy]

... Something about spontaneous combustion? Or, is that urban legend?

Apparently not!:

Home gutted by fire after compost bin spontaneously combusts in hot weather

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... lames.html

True, on a good compost heap, you would burn your hand if you put it a few inches into the heap.

Going back to one of the other comments, the problem with using grass cuttings on their own in compost is that instead of turning into a nice crumbly compost, you get a wet, smelly, soggy mess, but providing you mix other organic matter with it in regular layers, you should be ok.

[Dannie Boy]

Rightly or wrongly, I have a plot of 1.1/2 Rai and have dedicated nearly half of it to grass. The question is now about getting it cut and as I have plenty of time on my hands am happy to do it myself so the question is where and what type of lawn mower to buy.

It needs to be petrol and preferably of the self-propelled type (just in case the wife wants to help out occasionally ). The biggest I have seen so far have a 50 cm cutting blade which would probably do, but if anybody can recommend a shop with a good selection, I would be very grateful.

Thanks

[johnnyk]

The problem I have is that I have a rai of garden and if I cover the whole lot with grass, I'm going to need a ridiculous amount of water every day to keep it alive, which might make it look green but isn't at all from an environmental point of view. I'm putting in a lot of trees and stone on the ground instead.

Maybe have some grass, enough to cope with and put your feet on Re: Watering, can't you get some water buts in to store up water? They is loads of rain in Thailand...also there are some special grasses suitable for hot climates such as Thailand and Australia.
I agree a vinyl base sheet is not so good. Maybe just in the main path, then shrubs either side of it.

Hua Hin is one of the driest areas in Thailand.

[STEVE G]

Hua Hin is one of the driest areas in Thailand.

This is what I've found, we have a 40,000 litre underground tank connected to some guttering and when I was out there in September, it was just about empty when you would think there would be plenty of rain.
I could sit out the back of the house almost every afternoon and watch it rain a few kilometers away over past Black Mountain golf course but get nothing where we are in Hin Lek Fai.

[Nereus]

Rightly or wrongly, I have a plot of 1.1/2 Rai and have dedicated nearly half of it to grass. The question is now about getting it cut and as I have plenty of time on my hands am happy to do it myself so the question is where and what type of lawn mower to buy.
It needs to be petrol and preferably of the self-propelled type (just in case the wife wants to help out occasionally ). The biggest I have seen so far have a 50 cm cutting blade which would probably do, but if anybody can recommend a shop with a good selection, I would be very grateful. Thanks

You could get a couple of lactating nanny goats. Then you would have fresh milk for your cheese as well!

[Bristolian]

I hear that Geese are also excellent and will also help as “guard dogs” and keep the snakes at bay.

Benefits: trimmed grass, fresh eggs, no snakes, Christmas lunch sorted !!!

[Dannie Boy]

Thanks guys, you have been a great help

[STEVE G]

Thanks guys, you have been a great help

I'm sorry I couldn't help but if you read the above, you'll see that my five truck loads of stone don't need any mowing!