Radine Star

I honestly don't know, John. Nobody else has any kind of fencing around their property line, in my neighborhood. Grumpy to my south did attach a couple of those directly to the side of his deck, so we can't see each other when he sits out there. So maybe. However, I'm really kinda excited about the grasses and bamboo. Thanks for the suggestion, though. If they don't end up costing a fortune, I'll try to get them planted this year, and I'll be sure to update this, so you all can see. Thanks to everyone, again.

Lol, Abbey. If only I dared. Talking isn't an option. Atleast it wasn't before. I haven't tried since I've moved back. Most of our previous conversations were one way, them to me, via some agent of government. Ex. The sheriff shows up to tell me there's a complaint about my music. I can't even hear it ,working in my garden, but my neighbor says he can, SITTING IN HIS HOUSE? ?? The dog warden shows up. Same neighbor said my dog wasn't on a leash. She never left my yard. Doesn't matter, if he feels threatened, just by her existence, a judge could rule she needs to be surrendered. Keep her on a chain. *sigh*
Zoning officer, " Your nieghbors ( notice both) complained that you have chickens. You can't have chickens in the village" we're in a dairy community, I say. There's "right to farm" signs everywhere, I say. There's a huge arsed corn field right behind my property, that gets sprayed with stinky shit (literally ) twice a year, I say. "Doesn't matter" he says "you can't have any livestock in the village, and definitely not in THE SUB-DEVELOPMENT" He goes on to tell me they both were demanding he issue me a citation , but he talked them into giving me a week or so to find them new homes. Love thy neighbor, indeed.

Ranson, I've been looking into ornamental grasses. Bamboo also. There are some really pretty varieties, and there are some that grow to 12 feet. Think I'm going to enjoy planting this boarder. What's best is they are low maintenance, which means I'm less likely to kill them. Win, win😄

Abbey, chem lawn, or tru green is an American lawn care company, that sprays chemicals and fertilizer on your lawn. Then they would stick little yellow flags around it, warning people to keep pets and children off for a day or so. There's alot of people who believe it caused cancer in customers pets and family. Stinks too.

I definitely will look up ballerina. And thanks for mentioning bamboo. I forgot its a grass. A really useful grass.
Do you think a 2 foot swathe would be a wide enough barrier, so that I could try to grow edibles? It's the northern boundry, so I wouldn't need to worry about the grasses throwing shadows.

I've actually considered that, Tyler. It wasn't an option when I had retrievers. I could also do that for the part of the property that's not fenced.
Thanks for the idea Jessica. Do either of you know if espalier trees can be grown in containers? Then I could plant ornamental grasses inbetween.

My neighbors use chem-lawn, and the few things I've planted, always died. *grapes, blueberries, bush cherries. Even ivy on the chain link part* Dead all of it.
When I moved away, 7ish years ago, it no longer was a problem. Now I'm back, and I'd really like some privacy, from the yuppies from hell.
I was thinking containers. The dogs I had before would have used them as escape routes, but the great Pyrenees I have now, not an issue. However, that would be alot of containers . Anyone have any better ideas?

Hi Emily . Everyone has already given you great advice, so I just wanted to add that you might be able to utilize the five acres behind you as well. My first group of chickens were kept in a not so portable chicken tractor. It kept them secure at night and while I was at work, but the weather permitting, I would let them out to free range the woods behind where they were. I'd hang out with them, toss a ball for our yellow lab (who never even looked at them) and after an hour or so would clap my hands and call to them . Back they'd all run, right into their enclosure, no problem. I think I used some feed the first couple times, just to train them. They loved running around, I found the time to be great for unwinding and chickens do a great job hunting down ticks and fleas. Just make sure none of your neighbors or their dogs are running in there first.

First, I want to thank you Tyler, for your suggestion. When I had originally listened to Paul and Diana 's podcasts, I didn't think her book would apply to what I'm intending. However, only 10% into it, I've already learned things, I never even considered.
Andrew, I'm not sure my house would fit into your set up. I'm visualizing a live-in learning center . Where people gain knowledge and experience ,while reducing living expenses, so that when they finally buy their land, they are way better prepared.
As for my acreage, while I don't mind allowing limited usage to a few people, the fact that I would be responsible if problems arose between them and my neighbor's, would make me very picky in who I'd allow. If what your proposing is more a pooling of everyone's property, and members co-own all the properties together, there's no way I'd feel comfortable with that. As I'm under a land contract , I don't think it would be allowed, even if I was ok with it. All that being said, if I'm misunderstanding what you have in mind, I'm willing to hear more.

If I remember correctly, the very first thing you are going to want to do is become intimately familiar with your land. Take a year and watch how the season's play out through it. Try not to do much, just observe.
You might want to go through and catalog what grows where, as the native plants tell you alot about the conditions of the soil and the microclimate they are growing in.
You are also going to want to give it some time ,to get to know your neighbors. If there's potential for problems, your going to want to know, before you spend money on improvments. Case in point, most of the people who own the land around my property are friendly and we get along fine. The one guy to my east, is alittle more stand offish , but for a couple of years, no one was under contract for my lots, and he was using them as he saw fit. The previous guy, who had the land contract, pissed everyone off. Ive heard stories of how they banded together to drive him away. Glad no ones shooting over my head. 😮
In the mean time, you can start to gather some of the plants and trees your going to want to use in your design. Seedlings you can grow in small containers that you can transplant once you know where you want to put them. HTH Ray