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Lawn Care Tips (2 Viewers)

man, wish i saw this thread before. few quick questions and apologize if answers are in here (hard to catch up on 40 pages)?

1) anybody use that Hydro Mousse stuff? i ended up buying a bunch so i can give the results when i try, but i have heard it blows (after i bought it at first). if this is the case, can i see and use this at the same time to help?

2) also, any advice for dog pee spots. I got quite a few. DO you really have to dig up like an inch or 2 of the ground before you do anything cause the acidity. 

all tips in here are nice though, i'm in the boat with a lot in here with yard looking like #### right now (and all my neighbors have a lot nicer, makes it worse). i know my soil is kind of crappy too, but had sod done a year ago and have weeds and a bunch of dead/dry spots i need to figure out what to do with. I think my backyard isn't top soil and has a bunch of rocks, so need a plan maybe for this too. 

 
The Commish said:
I'll do the seed, aeration etc all myself.  I just need help getting the weeds under control.  There's some stuff here I've never seen before and a lot of fire ants.
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Exactly. Seeding, aerating, etc, is easy. I just for the life of me can't seem to get rid of the weeds. I've tried different fertilizers, different weed killers, keeping the grass higher, etc. Nothing seems to be working.

 
I will say that weed free zone knocked everything out of my lawn but crabgrass and nutsedge.  I tried the weed killer/fertilizer mixture this year and it was nowhere as good as the straight weed killer.  I could only find it at local hardware stores.

PSA: LSU will sample my soil for me to tell me if it is to acidic, etc.  It may be worth looking into to see if some of your local Universities have a similar program.

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/departments/spess/servicelabs/soil_testing_lab

 
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ragincajun said:
I will say that weed free zone knocked everything out of my lawn but crabgrass and nutsedge.  I tried the weed killer/fertilizer mixture this year and it was nowhere as good as the straight weed killer.  I could only find it at local hardware stores.

PSA: LSU will sample my soil for me to tell me if it is to acidic, etc.  It may be worth looking into to see if some of your local Universities have a similar program.

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/departments/spess/servicelabs/soil_testing_lab
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Never hurts to get a soil test done.   Rutgers does it for $20.   

 
Warm season grass: TifTuf bermuda

Put it in the front yard this season and it's killing it. Initial water and it's held up like a boss w/ temps in the upper 90s. Much softer feel than traditional bermuda, it'll go in the back yard in Sept. 

 
If I spray weed free zone - anyone know how long before I can seed?  I have a big patch where my pool used to be that was seeded at beginning of June.  It now has some grass and a lot of weeds.  I'd like to spray for the weeds but will want to seed this fall.  

Also - sill sledghammer hurt landscaping bushes?

 
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If you're trying to build up/level low spots in your lawn, roughly how much dirt can you put down on the grass underneath it and still have the grass grow through the dirt? Can you cover the grass completely? What's the best way to level the lawn? I don't want to tear up all the grass in the low spots and add topsoil that way, I just want to bring them up to even with the rest of the lawn.

 
joker said:
If you're trying to build up/level low spots in your lawn, roughly how much dirt can you put down on the grass underneath it and still have the grass grow through the dirt? Can you cover the grass completely? What's the best way to level the lawn? I don't want to tear up all the grass in the low spots and add topsoil that way, I just want to bring them up to even with the rest of the lawn.
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If we're talking waves or mole mounds, try a lawn roller first.  Just a big barrel filled with water or sand that you roll over high spots.  They work relatively well, especially after a rain.

If you're dead-set on adding topsoil, I've done this in very small spots (2' in diameter, no bigger) and i've just dumped LOOSE soil down.  I had to do it again a few weeks later after a few rains made it settle out.  My grass grew up through it easily.  I poured probably 2" of soil on at a time.  I'd bet if you did it gradually, you could probably fill in a foot or so in a year.  Anything more than that, and I'd mix in some seed to give it a head start.  If you're mixing seed, just wait another month or two.  Fall is the best time to plant seed.

 
Briman said:
Also - sill sledghammer hurt landscaping bushes?
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Not sure about this.  You'd have to read about the active ingredient and figure that out.  I didn't spray it over bushes because I wasn't sure.  There were certainly some places I wish I could have.

 
dumb question here.  I just moved into a new place with sod out front only.  I want to extend my driveway to make it 3 cars wide in the parking area.  Can I move the sod or am I SOL?

 
Al Czervik said:
andy_b said:
3) Cutting: c) Keep your grass long (think plush carpet, not old fashioned astro turf). A longer blade will shade out weeds and be more drought resistant
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Cutting the grass long is key. I cut mine long and it looks so much better than all my neighbors. 
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I learned my lesson a few years ago when I cut my grass tight one weekend and Wisconsin went on to have one of the driest, hottest periods in their history.  Won't get fooled again.

 
Ive been battling moles for nearly a year now. Lived in my house for 15 years and never saw one, now my yard is infested.

At any given time, I have 5-10 active mole tunnels in my yard. I have been using the gummy-worms (drop down hole, mark it, come back a few days later and tamp it down, re-check a few days later). It seems to put an end to that specific tunnel, but another one will re-appear nearby soon enough. I live on a wooded lot, so my entire yard is surrounded by woods. I also have many mulched "islands" in my yard (which they also seem to love). Id say Ive used about a dozen boxes (10 each) and for most of them, I have been breaking the worm in two. That's like 200 worms Ive dropped in holes over the past 10 months. Im starting to think this is a losing battle. Anyone ever battled moles on this scale before? Someone told me I should be treating for whatever (grubs?) they are eating rather than trying to treat them directly? Not really seeing grubs, but I have noticed holes that some sort of cicada is coming out of? Maybe they are after them? Any advise?

 
I never dealt with moles on that scale, but after getting some new sod on part of my yard, I noticed some come in.  That area of my yard had been overgrown/woods previously.  I had someone clear it an put down sod.  Once I saw some tunnels, I put down a grub treatment, and they disappeared.  Granted, I'm talking a few holes spotted, and no nearby woods so I can't guarantee it would work with you being surrounded by woods, but it is worth a shot.

 
E-Z Glider said:
Ive been battling moles for nearly a year now. Lived in my house for 15 years and never saw one, now my yard is infested.

At any given time, I have 5-10 active mole tunnels in my yard. I have been using the gummy-worms (drop down hole, mark it, come back a few days later and tamp it down, re-check a few days later). It seems to put an end to that specific tunnel, but another one will re-appear nearby soon enough. I live on a wooded lot, so my entire yard is surrounded by woods. I also have many mulched "islands" in my yard (which they also seem to love). Id say Ive used about a dozen boxes (10 each) and for most of them, I have been breaking the worm in two. That's like 200 worms Ive dropped in holes over the past 10 months. Im starting to think this is a losing battle. Anyone ever battled moles on this scale before? Someone told me I should be treating for whatever (grubs?) they are eating rather than trying to treat them directly? Not really seeing grubs, but I have noticed holes that some sort of cicada is coming out of? Maybe they are after them? Any advise?
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did you throw down some grubex for the hell of it?   Maybe give this a shot.  I got one, but I haven't had to use it.   Saw some mole tunnels last year, but I grubexed it this year and only saw a few minor tunnels so far.   But if they come back, I'm giving them the victor.  There's some videos on the tube on some different ways to set it up.

 
NutterButter said:
did you throw down some grubex for the hell of it?   Maybe give this a shot.  I got one, but I haven't had to use it.   Saw some mole tunnels last year, but I grubexed it this year and only saw a few minor tunnels so far.   But if they come back, I'm giving them the victor.  There's some videos on the tube on some different ways to set it up.
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I have not tried grubex yet, but guess its my next step. Says to apply spring to early summer... too late now? 

I looked at those traps, but I would need like 10 of them and it would add another step in my process as Id have to dispose of the mole instead of just tamping them into the ground. I feel like the worms are working, but there are just too many moles to get ahead.  :wall:

 
E-Z Glider said:
Ive been battling moles for nearly a year now. Lived in my house for 15 years and never saw one, now my yard is infested.

At any given time, I have 5-10 active mole tunnels in my yard. I have been using the gummy-worms (drop down hole, mark it, come back a few days later and tamp it down, re-check a few days later). It seems to put an end to that specific tunnel, but another one will re-appear nearby soon enough. I live on a wooded lot, so my entire yard is surrounded by woods. I also have many mulched "islands" in my yard (which they also seem to love). Id say Ive used about a dozen boxes (10 each) and for most of them, I have been breaking the worm in two. That's like 200 worms Ive dropped in holes over the past 10 months. Im starting to think this is a losing battle. Anyone ever battled moles on this scale before? Someone told me I should be treating for whatever (grubs?) they are eating rather than trying to treat them directly? Not really seeing grubs, but I have noticed holes that some sort of cicada is coming out of? Maybe they are after them? Any advise?
Click to expand...
So a guy I work with is a huge farming/landscaping nerd. Do you happen to have a Japanese beetle problem? Or grubs? Moles are attracted to the grubs and if you can get rid of them, the moles will eventually move on since they'll have nothing to eat.

 
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E-Z Glider said:
I have not tried grubex yet, but guess its my next step. Says to apply spring to early summer... too late now? 

I looked at those traps, but I would need like 10 of them and it would add another step in my process as Id have to dispose of the mole instead of just tamping them into the ground. I feel like the worms are working, but there are just too many moles to get ahead.  :wall:
Click to expand...
Too late for the grubex.

As far as the trap, my thought was if the trap is triggered, open it again before pulling it up so that the mole just stays in the ground.   Sounds like with trapping, its a lot of trial and error.  You first need to tamp down the tunnel to determine if its still active.  Then if it is, set the trap and see if you get lucky.   Repeat.

 
MattFancy said:
So a guy I work with is a huge farming/landscaping nerd. Do you happen to have a Japanese beetle problem? Or grubs? Moles are attracted to the grubs and if you can get rid of them, the moles will eventually move on since they'll have nothing to eat.
Click to expand...
I have not noticed grubs or an abundance of *** beetles. I have seen small holes in the yard though and found cicada shells. Im wondering if they're going after them? Would treating the yard for grubs get rid of these as well?

 
E-Z Glider said:
I have not noticed grubs or an abundance of *** beetles. I have seen small holes in the yard though and found cicada shells. Im wondering if they're going after them? Would treating the yard for grubs get rid of these as well?
Click to expand...
When you say you haven't noticed grubs, have you pulled up a small section of your lawn to see if there's any?

 
E-Z Glider said:
Ive been battling moles for nearly a year now. Lived in my house for 15 years and never saw one, now my yard is infested.

At any given time, I have 5-10 active mole tunnels in my yard. I have been using the gummy-worms (drop down hole, mark it, come back a few days later and tamp it down, re-check a few days later). It seems to put an end to that specific tunnel, but another one will re-appear nearby soon enough. I live on a wooded lot, so my entire yard is surrounded by woods. I also have many mulched "islands" in my yard (which they also seem to love). Id say Ive used about a dozen boxes (10 each) and for most of them, I have been breaking the worm in two. That's like 200 worms Ive dropped in holes over the past 10 months. Im starting to think this is a losing battle. Anyone ever battled moles on this scale before? Someone told me I should be treating for whatever (grubs?) they are eating rather than trying to treat them directly? Not really seeing grubs, but I have noticed holes that some sort of cicada is coming out of? Maybe they are after them? Any advise?
Click to expand...
I had the exact same scenario.  Also had the mulched areas, woods surrounding me etc.  I was about to roll up my sleeves and going at it, but we up and moved.  Caster oil seems to be the most popular solution for such a big problem.  If you look at the bottles of treatment in the store, that's what the primary ingredient is usually.  Soaking the areas seems to do the trick.  My dad had a couple holes and this is what he did.  I've also heard human hair is a big turn off.  Getting rid of their food source is probably a big help also.

 
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NutterButter said:
When you say you haven't noticed grubs, have you pulled up a small section of your lawn to see if there's any?
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No I havent. Ill take a closer look.

The Commish said:
I had the exact same scenario.  Also had the mulched areas, woods surrounding me etc.  I was about to roll up my sleeves and going at it, but we up and moved.  Caster oil seems to be the most popular solution for such a big problem.  If you look at the bottles of treatment in the store, that's what the primary ingredient is usually.  Soaking the areas seems to do the trick.  My dad had a couple holes and this is what he did.  I've also heard human hair is a big turn off.  Getting rid of their food source is probably a big help also.
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I would have to soak my whole yard. Its really, really bad. I will literally start tamping in the front yard and work my way around the whole house, tamping down tunnels as I go, and by the time I get back to the original spot in the yard, the tunnels are back. One time I could see one of the little bastards moving in the tunnel and I started chasing it and smashing it with my foot. Starting to feel like Carl Spackler.

 
E-Z Glider said:
I have not noticed grubs or an abundance of *** beetles. I have seen small holes in the yard though and found cicada shells. Im wondering if they're going after them? Would treating the yard for grubs get rid of these as well?
Click to expand...
I'm sure they have some sort of grub-ex that works for cicadas and stuff.

Chadstroma said:
One more follow up question on dethatching and aerating. Should you do one before the other or does it matter?
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I would dethatch first and then aerate

 
Getting ready for my later summer application and want to try something different.  Been using Scotts forever and 10 years ago seemed like I was getting great results but the last couple years so-so.  Was thinking about hitting it with Milorganite this time.  Anyone been using it?  We have an acre lot so it will probably end up costing more since it needs to be put down heavier.

 
Paid $180 to have a company come out and spray for me.  Once a month for 6 months.  Lawn looks better than it ever has.

 
Wondering if you guys could take a look at these photos and offer any tips.  This is my backyard.  It has looked like this since I purchased the house about two years ago.

Photo album:  https://imgur.com/a/ToAQ0

About 1/2 of the yard has grass (not really pictured here) and this other 1/2 next to my garage looks like this.  It is a shaded area both due to the garages on both sides and the shade cover from the trees which I attempted to photograph.  This section of the yard has a weed-blocking fabric and small stones covering it.

I am trying to figure out if I can get grass to grow here.  The fall is the best time around here to seed the lawn in the northeast, so if I'm going to try to grow grass, this is the time to try it.  Obviously I would have to get rid of the stones and pull up the weed fabric, which will be annoying.  I have considered trying to put in a little patio area with brick pavers, but I think I'd rather have grass if I can get it to grow.

Do you guys think grass will grow here?  Or would I be wasting my time?  I can't tell if the previous owners tried to grow grass and gave up, or had, like, an above-ground pool in this area.  The area in question is about 16' x 24'.

 
Steve Tasker said:
Wondering if you guys could take a look at these photos and offer any tips.  This is my backyard.  It has looked like this since I purchased the house about two years ago.

Photo album:  https://imgur.com/a/ToAQ0

About 1/2 of the yard has grass (not really pictured here) and this other 1/2 next to my garage looks like this.  It is a shaded area both due to the garages on both sides and the shade cover from the trees which I attempted to photograph.  This section of the yard has a weed-blocking fabric and small stones covering it.

I am trying to figure out if I can get grass to grow here.  The fall is the best time around here to seed the lawn in the northeast, so if I'm going to try to grow grass, this is the time to try it.  Obviously I would have to get rid of the stones and pull up the weed fabric, which will be annoying.  I have considered trying to put in a little patio area with brick pavers, but I think I'd rather have grass if I can get it to grow.

Do you guys think grass will grow here?  Or would I be wasting my time?  I can't tell if the previous owners tried to grow grass and gave up, or had, like, an above-ground pool in this area.  The area in question is about 16' x 24'.
Click to expand...
What type of grass are you trying to put in?  Fescue?  You'd be able to get it to grow, but it's going to take a LONG time to get it to take.  If the budget permits, this seems like an area appropriate for sod.  Oh, and whatever PITA you think it's going to be to remove that #### multiple by 5.  Rent a bobcat for a few hours....trust me.

 
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Steve Tasker said:
Wondering if you guys could take a look at these photos and offer any tips.  This is my backyard.  It has looked like this since I purchased the house about two years ago.

Photo album:  https://imgur.com/a/ToAQ0

About 1/2 of the yard has grass (not really pictured here) and this other 1/2 next to my garage looks like this.  It is a shaded area both due to the garages on both sides and the shade cover from the trees which I attempted to photograph.  This section of the yard has a weed-blocking fabric and small stones covering it.

I am trying to figure out if I can get grass to grow here.  The fall is the best time around here to seed the lawn in the northeast, so if I'm going to try to grow grass, this is the time to try it.  Obviously I would have to get rid of the stones and pull up the weed fabric, which will be annoying.  I have considered trying to put in a little patio area with brick pavers, but I think I'd rather have grass if I can get it to grow.

Do you guys think grass will grow here?  Or would I be wasting my time?  I can't tell if the previous owners tried to grow grass and gave up, or had, like, an above-ground pool in this area.  The area in question is about 16' x 24'.
Click to expand...
First question is do you even want grass there?  What are you going to use the spot for?  Are those both your garages? Looks like the perfect spot for a garden or small patio with a fire pit.

 
The Commish said:
What type of grass are you trying to put in?  Fescue?  You'd be able to get it to grow, but it's going to take a LONG time to get it to take.  If the budget permits, this seems like an area appropriate for sod.  Oh, and whatever PITA you think it's going to be to remove that #### multiple by 5.  Rent a bobcat for a few hours....trust me.
Click to expand...
Yes, it would be some kind of fescue, shade grass of some kind.  I've heard how brutal it is to take out that weed barrier, seems like it will be a total #####.  I haven't looked into the cost of sod, I kinda figured it'd be out of the budget.

 
shuke said:
First question is do you even want grass there?  What are you going to use the spot for?  Are those both your garages? Looks like the perfect spot for a garden or small patio with a fire pit.
Click to expand...
I don't really need grass there, it's just an eyesore and I'd like to do something with the area.  We have a pretty decently-sized covered back deck which is a more than adequate patio, so I don't NEED a patio area back there but it'd be pretty nice.  My main concern with that area is getting it level - you can't see in the photo but there are some tree roots roughly above-ground underneath that weed barrier.  I know that you should excavate a little bit to grade the ground for a brick patio - my concern is that it may not be possible.  In all honesty, I'd probably prefer that instead of grass, in general.

ETA - only the garage on the left is mine.  The one on the right is my neighbor's, my property line butts up to the side of his garage.

 
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Steve Tasker said:
Yes, it would be some kind of fescue, shade grass of some kind.  I've heard how brutal it is to take out that weed barrier, seems like it will be a total #####.  I haven't looked into the cost of sod, I kinda figured it'd be out of the budget.
Click to expand...
That's not 400 square feet of space.  It should be a couple hundred bucks (you aren't Otis, right?).  You'll spend that easily over the next two/three years on seed getting it filled in.

 
The Commish said:
That's not 400 square feet of space.  It should be a couple hundred bucks (you aren't Otis, right?).  You'll spend that easily over the next two/three years on seed getting it filled in.
Click to expand...
It is roughly 400 sq feet, it's like 16' x 24'.  I thought it was smaller myself until I measured it today.  Sod is cheaper than I was expecting, to be honest.

 
get a roto-tiller. clean up the rocks/whatever the hell that is covering the ground now and till it. get some fresh dirt from Home Depot and seed it with shade loving grass. 

you'll have grass next summer

i've had to do this to a few different areas at 2 houses now. definitely doable.

 
Its overseeding season in the northern part of the country.  This is your small window to do the most for your lawn.   Who's with me?  

 
Steve Tasker said:
It is roughly 400 sq feet, it's like 16' x 24'.  I thought it was smaller myself until I measured it today.  Sod is cheaper than I was expecting, to be honest.
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If you want grass, that's how I'd go.  With shade areas, you have 2-3 growing seasons minimum to get it filled in and thick (and sometimes that doesn't do the trick...I've struggled with seed in shade).  You can prep the soil by getting all the junk, rocks etc out, get a couple yards of top soil from your local guy (might cost $30), starter fert and then lay the sod.  Water the crap out of it for two weeks and you're good to go.

 
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Best thing ever happened couple weeks ago. Outsourced it all.

 The leaves and debris from last year that were rotting, gone. The crap I hacked down on a Saturday but couldn't take to the dump bc closed on Sunday, gone. The barren mulch and erosion areas, fixed. The lawn that got pummeled putting on an addition and was reseeded with weed seed, getting aerated and fertilized and fixed up this fall.  Paver driveway with mad weeds popping through the cracks, plucked and sprayed and ready to resand. 6 dudes spent 10 hours in my nightmare jungle yard 2 weeks ago and it might as well have been an episode on a yard makeover tv show.

I am not the man for the job at this house, I know this now after 3 years of doing a crappy job.

Came home yesterday and the weeds were mowed. Awesome. 

 
less tip seeking and more #####ing :hot:

bought a new home this summer. yard came with two grass berms that we knew to be covering tree stumps. 

previous owner decided he didn't like the pine trees that ringed the yard so he cut them down. we would have done the same. however, instead of grinding out the stumps.......... he buried them in dirt, then seeded over the top to grow grass.

it, apparently, causes water to pool during heavy storms and at spring snow melt.

we determined that we were going to dig them out. got a guy to come over with a tractor and dig the berms out. found 8 stumps. big, thick, heavy stumps. not terribly surprising. got 6 out. two are near buried gas lines so we have to sort that out. might just leave them.

the #####ing part comes because this stupid ##### decided to bury rocks, flagstone, bricks, old cable, plastic, etc. in the berms. basically any home reno garbage he didn't want to throw out he buried under the ground.

what a ####### ####ty thing to do. just on  general purposes. i'm throwing out all kinds of trash. 

gotta go out there again tonight to pull rocks from my yard. there are.... thousands?

 
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