Lawn Care Tips (2 Viewers)

[gianmarco]

I just laid zoysia sod about 1 month ago. It's growing well although there have been a few weeds that have grown through the seams as well as some nutsedge that was previously there (although significantly less).

I plan on doing both Sedgehammer as well as some weed and feed. Can I do it now (esp. with temps in the 90's) or should I wait a bit longer until the grass is more established? It's taken pretty well already but not sure if it's enough time.

 

[gethugefast1]

Gasoline... Match

 

[Dark Matter]

Gasoline... Match

:( How can we help, gethugefast1?

 

[rascal]

ignorant question...should I bag or does it matter?

 

[The Commish]

ignorant question...should I bag or does it matter?

I do during the spring, but not the summer. The clippings help retain moisture during the hot summer so I don't have to water as much. Also, I have discovered a new mulch. Here it's called "decomposed mulch". They basically make mulch like normal, but then let it sit for 3-4 months. The end product is like a dirt, mulch mix and it does an awesome job covering and staying in place. I normally have to weed once a month or so, but haven't had to do it yet this season.

 

[Osaurus]

Just replaced what was left of the Bahia in my swales with Zoysia to match my front lawn. Some old grass popping through at the seems, but minor overall. I have been watering it regularly for a couple of weeks, but thanks to Debby, I think it has been established more or less. I am keeping an eye on it, but it looks great. Zoysia pwns Bahia IMO. Some before and after pics (literally right after zoysia was put down):

Before 1

After 1

Before 2

After 2

No need to mow it yet and I intentionally set my edge on the street side as it is harder to edge. I will eventually edge the sidewalk and driveway sides to clean it up.

 

[gianmarco]

Just replaced what was left of the Bahia in my swales with Zoysia to match my front lawn. Some old grass popping through at the seems, but minor overall. I have been watering it regularly for a couple of weeks, but thanks to Debby, I think it has been established more or less. I am keeping an eye on it, but it looks great. Zoysia pwns Bahia IMO. Some before and after pics (literally right after zoysia was put down):

Before 1

After 1

Before 2

After 2

No need to mow it yet and I intentionally set my edge on the street side as it is harder to edge. I will eventually edge the sidewalk and driveway sides to clean it up.

Looks nice. I just did my backyard with zoysia sod and love the way it looks and feels. Can't wait to see what it looks like in a couple years when it's more established.

 

[Gamma1210]

How do you kill ground ivy? Stupid neighbor uses it for ground cover. Last two years it wasn't bad but all of a sudden this year it is spreading everywhere.

 

[FavreCo]

Just replaced what was left of the Bahia in my swales with Zoysia to match my front lawn. Some old grass popping through at the seems, but minor overall. I have been watering it regularly for a couple of weeks, but thanks to Debby, I think it has been established more or less. I am keeping an eye on it, but it looks great. Zoysia pwns Bahia IMO. Some before and after pics (literally right after zoysia was put down):

Before 1

After 1

Before 2

After 2

No need to mow it yet and I intentionally set my edge on the street side as it is harder to edge. I will eventually edge the sidewalk and driveway sides to clean it up.

Looks nice. I just did my backyard with zoysia sod and love the way it looks and feels. Can't wait to see what it looks like in a couple years when it's more established.

There is no substitute for Zoysia. It runs over and kills everything in its path. That neighbors yard is going to be zoysia wether he likes it or not. I would not use weed and feed. The growers here said not to. They say to use something like 9-0-24 or 24-0-9. I forget which. I used it and the stuff went nuts.

 

[The Commish]

How do you kill ground ivy? Stupid neighbor uses it for ground cover. Last two years it wasn't bad but all of a sudden this year it is spreading everywhere.

Roundup. Anything that creeps onto your property is fair game IMO. You can use some of those ground clear products too. They're designed to stay around longer after application.

 

[shuke]

ignorant question...should I bag or does it matter?

Never bag.

 

[shuke]

How do you kill ground ivy? Stupid neighbor uses it for ground cover. Last two years it wasn't bad but all of a sudden this year it is spreading everywhere.

Roundup. Anything that creeps onto your property is fair game IMO. You can use some of those ground clear products too. They're designed to stay around longer after application.

Don't put roundup in the yard. Try something safe for lawns.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Here's a problem that I've been having....I have 100ft of sidewalk in front yard. Since I mulch, I have the clippings that accumulate on the sidewalk and in the crevice b/w the sidewalk and the grass (on each side) that I created with the edger. I've tried multiple different strategies to blow the clippings into a big pile and the end of the sidewalk...but I feel like I'm always doing redundant work. Anyone have any insight? Here's my typical process:

Imagine breaking 100 foot line into 10 different 10-ft sections...

1. I start with the first section and blow the clippings out of the left side of the crevice - this typically blows all of the clippings onto the middle of the sidewalk and towards the right crevice

2. I then blow the first section clippings on middle of the sidewalk towards the right side of the crevice

3. I then blow the first section clippings on the right side of the crevice towards section 2

4. Rinse. Repeat.

Am I doing anything wrong? In a perfect world, there would be an attachment that you could put on the end of the blower that would get in the crevices and just "push" everything (sidewalk and each crevice) towards the end location....but as far as I know, that doesn't exist.

 

[shuke]

Here's a problem that I've been having....I have 100ft of sidewalk in front yard. Since I mulch, I have the clippings that accumulate on the sidewalk and in the crevice b/w the sidewalk and the grass (on each side) that I created with the edger. I've tried multiple different strategies to blow the clippings into a big pile and the end of the sidewalk...but I feel like I'm always doing redundant work. Anyone have any insight? Here's my typical process:Imagine breaking 100 foot line into 10 different 10-ft sections...1. I start with the first section and blow the clippings out of the left side of the crevice - this typically blows all of the clippings onto the middle of the sidewalk and towards the right crevice2. I then blow the first section clippings on middle of the sidewalk towards the right side of the crevice3. I then blow the first section clippings on the right side of the crevice towards section 24. Rinse. Repeat.Am I doing anything wrong? In a perfect world, there would be an attachment that you could put on the end of the blower that would get in the crevices and just "push" everything (sidewalk and each crevice) towards the end location....but as far as I know, that doesn't exist.

Wow. I'm not sure I'm even following what you're doing but it's obviously wrong.All I do is point the blower towards the sidewalk edge almost perpendicular to the and at about a 20 degree angle with the ground, so as the clippings get blown up they get blown into the yard. I usually just have to make two passes and it takes about 90 seconds total.

 

[The Commish]

How do you kill ground ivy? Stupid neighbor uses it for ground cover. Last two years it wasn't bad but all of a sudden this year it is spreading everywhere.

Roundup. Anything that creeps onto your property is fair game IMO. You can use some of those ground clear products too. They're designed to stay around longer after application.

Don't put roundup in the yard. Try something safe for lawns.

Oh, if this is in the yard (sorry, didn't realize that) you're going to have to do it by hand. I don't know of a product that will kill ground ivy but not the grass.

 

[The Commish]

Here's a problem that I've been having....I have 100ft of sidewalk in front yard. Since I mulch, I have the clippings that accumulate on the sidewalk and in the crevice b/w the sidewalk and the grass (on each side) that I created with the edger. I've tried multiple different strategies to blow the clippings into a big pile and the end of the sidewalk...but I feel like I'm always doing redundant work. Anyone have any insight? Here's my typical process:Imagine breaking 100 foot line into 10 different 10-ft sections...1. I start with the first section and blow the clippings out of the left side of the crevice - this typically blows all of the clippings onto the middle of the sidewalk and towards the right crevice2. I then blow the first section clippings on middle of the sidewalk towards the right side of the crevice3. I then blow the first section clippings on the right side of the crevice towards section 24. Rinse. Repeat.Am I doing anything wrong? In a perfect world, there would be an attachment that you could put on the end of the blower that would get in the crevices and just "push" everything (sidewalk and each crevice) towards the end location....but as far as I know, that doesn't exist.

Wow. I'm not sure I'm even following what you're doing but it's obviously wrong.All I do is point the blower towards the sidewalk edge almost perpendicular to the and at about a 20 degree angle with the ground, so as the clippings get blown up they get blown into the yard. I usually just have to make two passes and it takes about 90 seconds total.

Yeah, I make a pass on the left side all the way down, then the right side all the way down and blow the pile out to the street. Sometimes, if it's a windy day, then I follow up like shuke suggests and blow what's left onto the yard.

 

[shuke]

How do you kill ground ivy? Stupid neighbor uses it for ground cover. Last two years it wasn't bad but all of a sudden this year it is spreading everywhere.

Roundup. Anything that creeps onto your property is fair game IMO. You can use some of those ground clear products too. They're designed to stay around longer after application.

Don't put roundup in the yard. Try something safe for lawns.

Oh, if this is in the yard (sorry, didn't realize that) you're going to have to do it by hand. I don't know of a product that will kill ground ivy but not the grass.

Try this

 

[Gamma1210]

How do you kill ground ivy? Stupid neighbor uses it for ground cover. Last two years it wasn't bad but all of a sudden this year it is spreading everywhere.

Roundup. Anything that creeps onto your property is fair game IMO. You can use some of those ground clear products too. They're designed to stay around longer after application.

Don't put roundup in the yard. Try something safe for lawns.

Oh, if this is in the yard (sorry, didn't realize that) you're going to have to do it by hand. I don't know of a product that will kill ground ivy but not the grass.

Yeah its in the yard now. Its growing it patches and taking out the grass in those areas.

 

[Gamma1210]

How do you kill ground ivy? Stupid neighbor uses it for ground cover. Last two years it wasn't bad but all of a sudden this year it is spreading everywhere.

Roundup. Anything that creeps onto your property is fair game IMO. You can use some of those ground clear products too. They're designed to stay around longer after application.

Don't put roundup in the yard. Try something safe for lawns.

Oh, if this is in the yard (sorry, didn't realize that) you're going to have to do it by hand. I don't know of a product that will kill ground ivy but not the grass.

Try this

Thanks

 

[The Commish]

How do you kill ground ivy? Stupid neighbor uses it for ground cover. Last two years it wasn't bad but all of a sudden this year it is spreading everywhere.

Roundup. Anything that creeps onto your property is fair game IMO. You can use some of those ground clear products too. They're designed to stay around longer after application.

Don't put roundup in the yard. Try something safe for lawns.

Oh, if this is in the yard (sorry, didn't realize that) you're going to have to do it by hand. I don't know of a product that will kill ground ivy but not the grass.

Try this

I've used this....you'll want two or three bottles and treat it once a week for several weeks for it to actually kill what it's suppose to. Doing it in one swoop will kill your grass...trust me

 

[beer 302]

.

 

[fasteddie_21]

We just spent an arm and a leg to get our front and backyards 100% redone. However, prior to that, they were huge thistle patches. Needless to say, the landscapers apparently didn't dig them out deep enough and today, I just noticed the start of about 5-6 of them.

Our lawns are brand new and just trying to establish themselves (Kentucky bluegrass sod). We're watering 25 mins per zone (6 zones), twice a day. But how/what do we buy to get rid of the thistle for good? I've read that there are some known herbicides that work, albeit over time. That would be fine, we just need to make sure that whatever we use doesn't kill the grass because these damn things are right in the middle of the grass/yards.

TIA.

 

[Da Guru]

How do you kill ground ivy? Stupid neighbor uses it for ground cover. Last two years it wasn't bad but all of a sudden this year it is spreading everywhere.

Roundup. Anything that creeps onto your property is fair game IMO. You can use some of those ground clear products too. They're designed to stay around longer after application.

Don't put roundup in the yard. Try something safe for lawns.

Oh, if this is in the yard (sorry, didn't realize that) you're going to have to do it by hand. I don't know of a product that will kill ground ivy but not the grass.

Try this

Thanks

Never will understand how it kills the weeds but not the lawn.

 

[fasteddie_21]

We just spent an arm and a leg to get our front and backyards 100% redone. However, prior to that, they were huge thistle patches. Needless to say, the landscapers apparently didn't dig them out deep enough and today, I just noticed the start of about 5-6 of them.

Our lawns are brand new and just trying to establish themselves (Kentucky bluegrass sod). We're watering 25 mins per zone (6 zones), twice a day. But how/what do we buy to get rid of the thistle for good? I've read that there are some known herbicides that work, albeit over time. That would be fine, we just need to make sure that whatever we use doesn't kill the grass because these damn things are right in the middle of the grass/yards.

TIA.

We found this: http://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?proId=prod70200&itemId=cat50064&tabs=general

But it says not to use on new lawns. From what I've read about thistle it's a motherbear to get rid of and will spread like wildfire if left unchecked. Do we just mow it down until the lawn is established, then Ortho it?

 

[fasteddie_21]

bump

 

[shuke]

If you've spent all that time and money on the lawn I would wait until it is establish then hit the thistle with a lawn-safe weed killer.

I'm not a fan of those things you attach to the hose. I'd recommend a concentrate and a 2 gallon pump sprayer and spot treat.

 

[fasteddie_21]

If you've spent all that time and money on the lawn I would wait until it is establish then hit the thistle with a lawn-safe weed killer.I'm not a fan of those things you attach to the hose. I'd recommend a concentrate and a 2 gallon pump sprayer and spot treat.

Noted, thanks. I just spent 90 minutes pulling up all the weeds by hand. Almost completely filled a 5-gallon bucket :(From what our landscaper said, however, is that once the lawn gets established, the weeks won't be able to come thru since the lawn will be so healthy. Let's hope so!

 

[joker]

Just got a new house in MN and want to get the lawn up to speed. I've noticed dandelions, crabgrass, some clover, and probably a few other types that I not familiar with. What can I do right now in late July to get some of these weeds under control? Can I use the weed killers, etc? I already cut my grass high (2nd highest setting on my mower) and have a sprinkler system that waters my grass regularly at night. In addition, with the tree cover that we have there are some bare spots that I'd like to grow grass on. Can I seed right now or should I wait?

 

[Da Guru]

What is a good fertilizer to use right now? Hit the Scotts Crab in April, then Scotts Weed & Feed in June.

The high heats have taken a toll on the lawns in Michigan but lots of rain last week brought them back a little. Lawn still looks a little stressed so I don`t want to burn it. Was think about Milorganite? Any other options..maybe a high iron fertilizer?

 

[Keerock]

My lawn has gone to #### this summer. Used to be the envy of the neighborhood, and now it looks crappy. Unable to keep up with watering over the last 2 very hot summers. Had some very bad weed issues that required heavy doses of weed killer, which in turn have affected the lawn. Result is that my current lawn is stressed, spotty brown, sparse in some areas, thinning in most areas. About 3/4 acre, corner lot.

Long story short, I think it needs aeration, some over-seeding and possibly some topsoil(?).

I have two estimates to do the aeration and over-seeding... both are right around $400. Does this sound right? I realize I could possible rent the equipment and do it myself cheaper, but for a job this size, I'm resigned to farming it out. Thoughts?

 

[FavreCo]

My lawn has gone to #### this summer. Used to be the envy of the neighborhood, and now it looks crappy. Unable to keep up with watering over the last 2 very hot summers. Had some very bad weed issues that required heavy doses of weed killer, which in turn have affected the lawn. Result is that my current lawn is stressed, spotty brown, sparse in some areas, thinning in most areas. About 3/4 acre, corner lot.Long story short, I think it needs aeration, some over-seeding and possibly some topsoil(?).I have two estimates to do the aeration and over-seeding... both are right around $400. Does this sound right? I realize I could possible rent the equipment and do it myself cheaper, but for a job this size, I'm resigned to farming it out. Thoughts?

I was really close to aerating or vertical cutting my zoysia. Then I called the resellers of the zoysia and they pointed me to a local guy that knew zoysia inside and out. Not one of the big companies like Scotts or Tru-green.They don't know jack ####. All they want to do is spray and fertilize and set you up on some plan to keep the $ flying out of your wallet and into theirs. The local guy came out, took one look and said if you aerate or vertical cut, you will wish you never did. He also said there is no fungus and no bugs in my yard that need sprayed. Just add 9-0-24 Florikam 4 times a year and you will be fine.

 

[fasteddie_21]

My link

These have started sprouting up in various spots in our backyard. Very simple and easy to pull out of the lawn, but we're curious what kind of weed this is.

TIA.

 

[LittleLarry]

My lawn is in really sad shape so I was hoping someone could offer some tips.

It's been unusually dry here in NW Oregon this year. I've been watering the lawn twice a week but I guess this isn't enough. I've got brown spots everywhere and the grass has stopped growing. Some spots look so dead I don't know if they'll return.

I fertilized at the start of the year with heavy nitrogen, and fertilized again mid-year with balanced fertilizer.

Shouldn't I do a fall fertilizer? Not sure which kind would be best. Any other ideas would be most appreciated.

 

[Pick]

OK the dandelions are all gone for months now. Sweet. However, some fringe weeds have been showing up. Mostly on the perimeter. Look a little like dark green cabbage I guess. Other stuff looks like white trash grass or something. The stuff I used on the dandelions obviously doesn't work but need something safe for grass unless I want to brush on the kill everything stuff.

What say ye?

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Question:

This fall I want to over-seed the entire lawn. To do this I am first going to aerate the lawn.

Before I over-seed, should I remove the aerated plugs or lets them break down into the soil? I have read conflicting opinions online regarding seeding after you aerate.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Anyone know how to get rid of squirrels from digging up the mulch around my oak tree. Shooting them is not an option

 

[The Commish]

Question:

This fall I want to over-seed the entire lawn. To do this I am first going to aerate the lawn.

Before I over-seed, should I remove the aerated plugs or lets them break down into the soil? I have read conflicting opinions online regarding seeding after you aerate.

Leave them

 

[The Commish]

Anyone know how to get rid of squirrels from digging up the mulch around my oak tree. Shooting them is not an option

Are they causing a problem? We have a pretty large hill in the back of our yard that's mulched and I see little pockets all over the place from where the squirrels and deer dig, but it's not hurting anything so I leave it.

 

[Oscar]

Too late to treat the lawns to get rid of dandelions and crab grass?

 

[fasteddie_21]

Too late to treat the lawns to get rid of dandelions and crab grass?

I hope not. We just weed 'n feed'd for the 2nd time this spring, 2 days ago. You're supposed to do it in the early and late spring. I'd think you'd be fine.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Anyone know how to get rid of squirrels from digging up the mulch around my oak tree. Shooting them is not an option

Are they causing a problem? We have a pretty large hill in the back of our yard that's mulched and I see little pockets all over the place from where the squirrels and deer dig, but it's not hurting anything so I leave it.

Well they dug up all the mulch around the base of the tree, and exposed all of the mesh netting that i had preventing the weeds. I can band aid it by reapplying the mulch, but was looking for a more permanent solution

 

[Sarnoff]

.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Too late to treat the lawns to get rid of dandelions and crab grass?

there are two ways to treat.

One is to use a per-emergent. This works best on crab grass. You put it down in early spring. Scotts makes a fertilizer that combines "Halts" which acts as the preventative.

If you missed the per-emergent or still have weeds growing you want to kill, I would recommend using the Bayer Advanced All in One weed killer. It kills over 200 types of weeds and you can just hook it up to your hose. The normal size bottle goes for under $10 and will treat about 5k yards.

http://www.bayeradvanced.com/lawn-care/products/all-in-one-lawn-weed-crabgrass-killer

 

[NewlyRetired]

Question:

This fall I want to over-seed the entire lawn. To do this I am first going to aerate the lawn.

Before I over-seed, should I remove the aerated plugs or lets them break down into the soil? I have read conflicting opinions online regarding seeding after you aerate.

Leave them

ok thanks. I was worried that some of the seed would stick to the plugs.

 

[Pick]

I think I'm due for a new sprayer. The old one just doesn't have much pop anymore. Recommendations?

 

[The Commish]

Question:

This fall I want to over-seed the entire lawn. To do this I am first going to aerate the lawn.

Before I over-seed, should I remove the aerated plugs or lets them break down into the soil? I have read conflicting opinions online regarding seeding after you aerate.

Leave them

ok thanks. I was worried that some of the seed would stick to the plugs.

They will, but that's not an issue. When they break down, they will become part of the ground.

 

[Da Guru]

Weed and feed will take care of the dandelions. Right about now is perfect time to apply.

Too late for the crab grass..going to have to spot treat that.

Too late to treat the lawns to get rid of dandelions and crab grass?

 

[The Commish]

Anyone know how to get rid of squirrels from digging up the mulch around my oak tree. Shooting them is not an option

Are they causing a problem? We have a pretty large hill in the back of our yard that's mulched and I see little pockets all over the place from where the squirrels and deer dig, but it's not hurting anything so I leave it.

Well they dug up all the mulch around the base of the tree, and exposed all of the mesh netting that i had preventing the weeds. I can band aid it by reapplying the mulch, but was looking for a more permanent solution

Gotcha...how big is your tree area? I've found when I plant a tree...I'll mulch up to where the roots break away from the trunk (if that makes sense)...I don't do the "mound o' mulch" a lot of folks do. I've killed a lot of trees by over mulching and covering the roots with the weed barrier. Took me a while to figure out what the heck was going on

 

[Ned]

Too late to treat the lawns to get rid of dandelions and crab grass?

there are two ways to treat.

One is to use a per-emergent. This works best on crab grass. You put it down in early spring. Scotts makes a fertilizer that combines "Halts" which acts as the preventative.

If you missed the per-emergent or still have weeds growing you want to kill, I would recommend using the Bayer Advanced All in One weed killer. It kills over 200 types of weeds and you can just hook it up to your hose. The normal size bottle goes for under $10 and will treat about 5k yards.

http://www.bayeradvanced.com/lawn-care/products/all-in-one-lawn-weed-crabgrass-killer

Put it in a small sprayer and spot spray the weeds. Works very well.