Summertime and the Living is Good....

Summer has really set in here in Atlanta. Work around the house recently has been focused on the backyard. This work is preliminary work for the deck that we are about to start. The back portion of what we now know is our property is completely covered in kudzu and other awful vines, scrub, and other various evil vegetation. People that know me understand that I have a deep appreciation for nature and a true love for backpacking, camping, and just about anything that keeps me outside. I can now say, that for the first time in my life, I truly hope that plants feel pain, real pain. Let me explain.

Before

This picture shows the horror that is the backyard. In order to deal with it, Jordan and I have developed and implemented a multi-focus plan of attack to reclaim what is rightly ours. Our D-Day was roughly two weeks ago. Armed with all sorts of implements of destruction, herbicides, and determination, we stormed the hillside. I even looked on Ebay for any remaining left over Vietnam era Agent Orange to no avail.

The Battle Begins

Some of The Victims of a Senseless War

Where we stand today

While battling away on the frontline, I started to think about where on earth this stuff came from. After doing some reading, kudzu had a very innocent arrival in America. In 1876, Philadelphia held a Centennial Expo to celebrate the 100th birthday of our country. Various countries from around the world were invited to build exhibits to highlight important elements of their culture. Japan installed beautiful gardens using native plants to their country. Included in these gardens was the infamous kudzu that was also used in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicines. Interest in the plant by Americans was almost immediate due to the plant’s large leafs and fragrant summertime flowers.

During the 1930’s, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Conservation Service viewed the plant as having limitless potential for controlling erosion. During the 30’s, approximately 85 million seedlings were planted by the CCC across the country. Later in the decade, farmers were paid upwards of $8.00 an acre to grow the vine. The 1940’s saw kudzu’s champion come on the scene. Georgia’s own Channing Cope praised the plant and sung it’s virtues on radio shows, newspaper articles, and even went as far as starting Kudzu Clubs across the southeast to promote what he called a “miracle vine”. However, by the 1950’s, the U.S. government finally came to its senses and began to recognize it as a problem and quickly stopped promoting the plant. Finally, in 1972 the USDA declared kudzu a weed (to nice a word in my opinion).

The southeast maintains the perfect climate for this awful creature. Anyone that has driven along just about any road in the south has seen this pest quickly taking over the countryside. One hero in a war against this silent enemy was Dr. James H. Miller who worked for the United States Forest Service in Auburn, AL. He spent 18 brave years trying to identify a successful weapon for killing this stuff. Basically he found that it takes multiple salvos of herbicide over multiple years to really kill kudzu. He even identified one herbicide that kudzu loves and actually helps it to grow! If you are currently engaged in battling this vine, take a look here for up to date battle plans.

So, we are slowly making some headway in taking back our backyard. In addition to kudzu, we are also under attack by English Ivy. I see this stuff in just about every garden shop and I think to myself “Why are you allowed to sell this weapon of mass destruction?”. Currently, Jordan and I are engaged in a jihad against this waxy leafed terrorist.

This bank next to our car port was once covered with ivy. We removed it all and were able to create a nice space that we are no longer afraid to walk in. Enough about the evils and on to the fun stuff.

One of our new found loves is Northcrest’s Swim and Tennis Club. This oasis is located in the center of our neighborhood and at least once a month holds a social dinner for all the members. This month’s event was on the 4th of July and allowed us all to express the tacky tourist side of our personality. In addition to a great meal and really fun conversation, we were all treated to a great firework show.

The club is run by a great group of neighbors. When I try and explain our neighborhood to friends and so forth, I don’t think they really get it. Really, only people here in Northcrest understand what it is like to live here. The neighbors we have met so far are simply some of the nicest and most interesting people I have met. One great example of our neighbors are Brian and Kevin.

They are currently working on a very well done addition to their house. As a result, the are losing their Hollywood bathroom. They made the effort to save all the vintage pieces from the bathroom for others in the neighborhood that may want to use them. You may remember in an earlier post I made reference to the wonderful vintage bathrooms found here in Northcrest. Well, I can now say thanks to Brian and Kevin, Jordan and I are proud new parents of an original bathroom sink and faucet.

The faucet will need some work, but this beauty is going in our basement bathroom in the near future. All we can say is thanks to Brian and Kevin and to all of our Northcrest neighbors for making this such a wonderful place to call home.

One last thing to mention…..if you like the chance of winning free stuff for your home, check back Thursday for a great opportunity!