some things I've learned as a tenant
Having moved 10 times in 10 years, I've learned a thing or two about homeowning in this area, or at least renting in places. When the time comes for me to buy, there are some things I know I will do better, if financially possible, than some of my landlords did. Here are some common mistakes I've seen:
- Tile and grouting: no, you can't tile yourself. Sorry. I've seen far too many sloppy first attempts, tripped on too many uneven tiles, or seen far too many grout goop residue splashed here and there. Unless tiling is your profession, hire a professional. You can do drywall and you can paint, but that's about it;
- Don't use Roundup herbicide. Ever. It kills everything and makes the existing plants you want to keep looking weak and, well, poisoned ever after. It's poison, people, and the poison enters all life forms in your garden. The substance stays in the tissues of most plants forever. Just pull the goddamn weeds after a rainstorm. Plus, the term 'weed' is relative. Roundup is evil, destructive, and against creation, understand?;
- Most of the appliances they sell at Home Depot is cheap crap. Use Home Depot for raw materials and tools only. Do not furnish a home from Home Depot. If you buy cheap crap appliances that fall apart in a year, what was the point in buying it in the first place? Get good sturdy stuff that will last and serve you, rather than you servicing the crap appliance;
- As for plants and shrubbery, just because it's sold at Home Depot doesn't mean it's optimal for this climate. A good rule of thumb is that if you see a plant thriving on your block, it's a good choice. A lot of stuff sold at Home Depot or any given mall joint may be better suited for, say, Maine or South Carolina than for DC;
- A neighborhood will not change just because you will it to be that way. It is what it is and when you move there you subscribe to it, not the other way around. Think of a neighborhood as a person with a personality. And people are hard to change, and if they do, it takes time. Be patient.
Thanks for the advice.
Jimbo, Speaking of communities - are you coming down to the Shaw Community Day tomorrow (6/23) at the NJ and O Street Park? It's from 11 am to 3 pm and a great place to meet some more folks in your 'hood. /rob
When I remodel my bathroom I'm going to use dark gray or black grout. No fucking white grout ever. It just gets dirty and is impossible to clean.
I also refuse to use herbicides or pesticides- poisonous stuff can't be good for anything.
I only use round up in the cracks in the sidewalk. Also if you have a Menards in the area, get your home improvement stuff there. Its much better quality than Home Depot. Seriously my bf works at Home Depot and we shop at Menards. How sad is that.
Heloise says you can use vinegar to kill weeds instead of Round Up. I've never tried it though.
I like Lowes better now. They are cleaner and less ignant in my experience. I do like that you can return plants that die to Home Depot. Now I just need a house with some dirt to garden in. I love my condo don't get me wrong, but I really longing for a small house of my own that I can do little projects in, garden, become a lesbian etc. That and I want a basement where I can finally install a sli...er..nevermind
Hey it was going to be my 2nd attempt at tiling and I thought my 1st attempt wasn't that bad. But I did leave it to the paid labor and they did ok.
Round-Up is the best weed (only) killer on the market if used in the one shot applicator. It only lasts on the plant for 4 hours because it evaporates and doesn't get into the water supply by ran off as does Weed&Feed.
Yeah, but most people don't use RoundUp properly. Like applying it from three feet away during high winds. An entire half of my garden was once destroyed by a well-meaning RoundUp addict. And again, if any plants that you want are downwind, the substance stays in those plants and stunts their growth forever. Pull the damn weeds by hand. Elbow grease is far better than RoundUp.
As for getting plants for gardens/yards and aren't sure what's suitable with the environment yer city's in, one good possibility is to contact the School of Agriculture at the local University (if they've got an Aggie school) and get info from them as well as contacting the local botanical gardens.
Friends don't let friends buy annuals and humans shouldn't use poisons in their yards. I'm 100% in agreement with you Jimbo - we practice benign neglect/IPM at our casa - but I suggest that hort heads go to the National Arborteum for some inspiration and amazing peace in the city ...
Glad to hear the new place is coming along hon.