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Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe
Rattlesnakes (and scorpions) are absolutely indigenous to Metro Phoenix, AZ. Whether they're on your property or not isn't the issue. The issue is that if you create a haven for them as you described - they will be happy to move in with you, sooner or later. Doesn't matter if you've never seen one there before. They live where (Phoenix, AZ.) you live.
Keeping your growth sparse and cut/trimmed close, discourages them from cribbing with you.
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Interesting! Never heard of them out here, including from the natives. When did you live out here?
What is the big issue with rattle snakes? My understanding is they give warning before striking.
B.T.W.,my great uncles lived in Kern County where there used to be a lot of rattle snakes and find them on the way to class. When they did, take a stick, kill them, cut the rattle off and put it in their pocket. When they got to school, rattle it as a prank and get folks looking scared and for the rattle snake.
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Originally Posted by engatwork
Anymore, if I don't see at least one rattlesnake a year in the yard something is amiss.
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But, that's Georgia? So, what is wrong with seen a rattle snake? Livestock doesn't know to leave them alone?
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Originally Posted by kerry
Native grasses which don't require water are nice. In Colorado I use buffalo grass. Don't know if such an option exists in your location.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elchivito
Buffalo is an option for the Phx. area, but it's crazy expensive.
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Thank y'all for this suggestion!
Phoenix area doesn't really have any native grasses anymore due to humans wiping it out. Up higher there is ornamental grass, which is sold in a Tucson nursery selling only natives. That is where I found out the invasive ornamental grass here is from South Africa and doing a lot of damage. So, took it and and all its seedlings out of the yard. Come to find out it broke the brick planter box.
I have considered Arizona native ornamental grass, but yes, be expensive, and
elchivito, how about the rattle snakes and mosquitos?
But, sure look a lot better than plain field of gravel! So much texture and color, moving in the slightest breeze.
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Originally Posted by TMAllison
Pre-emergent could work for the gravel area's. Use Roundup to kill weeds present currently and then apply the pre-emergent. Granular varieties require water to dissolve and form the protective barrier. Kills germinating seeds before they can sprout.
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I didn't now about the granular pre-emergent, good to know, thank you so very much!
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Originally Posted by SwampYankee
As a non-chemical solution (I'm guessing you're trying to avoid them because of the dog), lay some black plastic over the beds you're trying to rid of weeds for a week or so. The plastic will absorb the heat from the sun killing many weeds while depriving them from the sunlight needed for photosynthesis as a double whammy. Then rake out the mulch, put down some landscape/weed block fabric and put back the mulch. Obviously if there are desirable plants or bushes in the bed you don't want to cover them with the plastic.
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Swamp Yankee, you are close. The main reason is because I am concerned it will also kill natives since they too have broad leaves. If I had kept the front yard completely weed free, wouldn't have any globe mallows for example.
Good idea on the black plastic!
That be way easier on large areas, such as my Dad's place which has about an 1/8 acre. Hope some day to turn that into wildflower fields instead of weeds. They are self germinating/seeding and once established, they crowd out the weeds. Also for the R.V. parking I have here. But first need to get the '79 TD parted and out of the way.