More points to ponder...

[wishing, hoping]

Thanks TL and KML. It is a bit overwhelming. I don't want to rip everything out. There are some evergreen shrubs in there too that I like. I saw some bees in the area around the buckthorn so I need to be cautious. There is some cabbage-looking plant behind the buckthorn that looks like it is rotting. The bees were swarming around that. They are gone now that the weather is overcast and cool. I can't get near it until the buckthorn is gone. I will have to get some heavy duty shears to prune that bad boy away. I don't know how I am going to get rid of it. I don't like pesticides and I don't have the equipment or strength to pull out that complex root system.

My co-worker said she has some hostas she could give me so that is a start. I don't want to put a lot of money or time into it since I am just renting. But I do want it to look nice. I bought some small garden tools at the dollar store but I need a large rake because there is a lot of dead grass and weeds. The bugs did not appreciate me invading their home though. They were scurrying all over. I am kind of excited to take this on, but yet a bit scared. I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew.

WH