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sycophantman
I don't suppose anyone here is into gardening?
July 17, 2007 at 01:24PM View BBCode
I'm just curious. I have a few questions that I am hoping to get some answers to. I'm a beginner gardener myself...
barterer2002
July 17, 2007 at 01:28PM View BBCode
Syco, I have done a little, I grew up with gardening and then married a landscaper so have some second hand knowledge.
DeVeau31
Would love to know how to get a nice, full, green lawn though. Would need step-by-step assistance however...starting in the fall.
July 17, 2007 at 01:38PM View BBCode
I have no flowers and my grass has more weeds in it than my father's top drawer when I was a kid.Would love to know how to get a nice, full, green lawn though. Would need step-by-step assistance however...starting in the fall.
sycophantman
One, my Lilac has a troubling two-tone effect in the leaves. A full branch or two have pale green leaves next to the normally dark green leaves. Is this a disease?
Two, I think I have a minor Japanese beetle problem, what would be the best way to completely eradicate this dillemma? I don't want to lose my lovely plants that I've planted this year. My hydrangea has suffered the most, but the coral bells are starting to get damaged as well...
July 17, 2007 at 01:42PM View BBCode
So I have a few problems.One, my Lilac has a troubling two-tone effect in the leaves. A full branch or two have pale green leaves next to the normally dark green leaves. Is this a disease?
Two, I think I have a minor Japanese beetle problem, what would be the best way to completely eradicate this dillemma? I don't want to lose my lovely plants that I've planted this year. My hydrangea has suffered the most, but the coral bells are starting to get damaged as well...
Admin
I'd start with figuring out how to get a weed-free lawn though. Any tips out there would be appreciated. Our yard is very small, so I've been thinking of ripping everything up and starting over with Sod. But I want to know how to keep it nice first before I do that.
My problem is that if I pull up all the weeds, we have large dirt patches where we'd need to plant new grass.
Tyson
July 17, 2007 at 01:42PM View BBCode
The wife and I are always debating about which are weeds and which are plants that just haven't blossomed flowers yet.I'd start with figuring out how to get a weed-free lawn though. Any tips out there would be appreciated. Our yard is very small, so I've been thinking of ripping everything up and starting over with Sod. But I want to know how to keep it nice first before I do that.
My problem is that if I pull up all the weeds, we have large dirt patches where we'd need to plant new grass.
Tyson
sycophantman
July 17, 2007 at 01:46PM View BBCode
A big thing to do first, in my experience, is to test how rich your soil is. If you have a good balance of organics and such in the soil then it should be able to easily accept new grass seed in the spring. If your soil is malnourished, you'd be best served by putting down a thin layer of fertilizer in the fall. The best way, I was told, is to wait until your raking is about at it's end. You put down the fertilizer first, then you take the leaves you've raked up in the fall, shred them up as much as possible, and then layer the leaves over the fertilizer. This is sure to replenish your soils health. In the early spring you should be able to put down seed without having to resort to sod...
sycophantman
July 17, 2007 at 01:49PM View BBCode
This first piece of advice is assuming you tear up the weeds you have, which I fully suggest you do. Weeds have a way of ruining the soil and robbing it of most of its nutrients. You will have a harder time growing things with the weeds in the way. If the weeds are too plentiful and you worry that there will be too much dirt exposed, you could consider putting down some plants in its place. Something hardy, like day lilies, which are about impossible to kill...
barterer2002
As for a weed free lawn to some extent it depends on the lawns around you (at least if you don't want to be constantly working on it). If your neighbor's lawn is full of weeds the seeds are going to be spread into your lawn as well so you're either going to have to be vigilent or accept the weeds. On my own house, I've tried to keep up the front and let the back go to clover.
If you want to be vigilent you have to start by getting rid of the weeds. Most weed killer spreads will tell you what they kill. In my area we have issues with dandylines as well as clover so the weed killers I use have to take care of those. Most of them will need to be applied at a time when you're going to have no immediate rain although there are some that work immediately on rain. You can use a spray but I find that to be time consuming if you've got a large lawn. I prefer to use a spread that combines weed killer and grass seed and they'll come in a variety of grades. Don't bother with the low grades, go for the contracter grade. The low grade just won't give the coverage you want.
You don't need to buy a spreader if you want to. I tend to spread by hand myself.
You'll also want to know what kind of grass seed you're using. I tend to go with Rye's simply because I find them heartier for the winters meaning they'll survive and return better in the spring but you can use a bluegrass variety if you prefer.
The final tip is to let it grow a bit give it an extra week and let the roots grab in before cutting it off. Go as long as you can stand it.
July 17, 2007 at 02:08PM View BBCode
Syco, have you tried a Japanese Beatle trap? They're generally available at any gardening store or even the gardening section of your local Wal*Mart.As for a weed free lawn to some extent it depends on the lawns around you (at least if you don't want to be constantly working on it). If your neighbor's lawn is full of weeds the seeds are going to be spread into your lawn as well so you're either going to have to be vigilent or accept the weeds. On my own house, I've tried to keep up the front and let the back go to clover.
If you want to be vigilent you have to start by getting rid of the weeds. Most weed killer spreads will tell you what they kill. In my area we have issues with dandylines as well as clover so the weed killers I use have to take care of those. Most of them will need to be applied at a time when you're going to have no immediate rain although there are some that work immediately on rain. You can use a spray but I find that to be time consuming if you've got a large lawn. I prefer to use a spread that combines weed killer and grass seed and they'll come in a variety of grades. Don't bother with the low grades, go for the contracter grade. The low grade just won't give the coverage you want.
You don't need to buy a spreader if you want to. I tend to spread by hand myself.
You'll also want to know what kind of grass seed you're using. I tend to go with Rye's simply because I find them heartier for the winters meaning they'll survive and return better in the spring but you can use a bluegrass variety if you prefer.
The final tip is to let it grow a bit give it an extra week and let the roots grab in before cutting it off. Go as long as you can stand it.
folifan19
July 17, 2007 at 04:30PM View BBCode
There's a gardening show on the radio here in Columbus, Gardening with Denny. I think it's a national program. He always says, get rid of weeds, and get yourself a nice, thick lawn, and there's no room for the weeds to grow. I like to use Weed Be Gone, sprayed through a hose applicator. I guess pulling by hand is the best way if you're opposed to chemicals, which I suspect you might be syco.
FuriousGiorge
July 17, 2007 at 04:38PM View BBCode
The neighborhood I used to live in when I was little always stunk like Japanese beetle traps in the summer, everyone had those little bags on their front lawn. I don't know if they still use those traps today.
rollman1
Plus you will have a distinctive and if done well, very appealing area.
July 17, 2007 at 04:54PM View BBCode
Or even just get rid of the lawn, use native plants and many many of your problems go away including the water bill.Plus you will have a distinctive and if done well, very appealing area.
sycophantman
July 17, 2007 at 04:58PM View BBCode
I'm fortunate to live in a climate like the midwest, all sorts of plants can flourish here.
folifan19
[Edited on 7-17-2007 by folifan19]
July 17, 2007 at 04:58PM View BBCode
kudzu, very attractive[Edited on 7-17-2007 by folifan19]
sycophantman
July 17, 2007 at 05:02PM View BBCode
You cannot suggest someone use Kudzu, unless they just want to give up on their yard and let it take care of itself...
folifan19
July 17, 2007 at 05:05PM View BBCode
It'll take over your house too, if you let it. You'll never have to paint again!!
sycophantman
July 17, 2007 at 05:06PM View BBCode
It'll take over your housepets if you aren't careful...
bobcat73
This always makes you like like a tool. You can't go play catch in you native plant area.
July 17, 2007 at 08:41PM View BBCode
Originally posted by rollman1
Or even just get rid of the lawn, use native plants and many many of your problems go away including the water bill.
Plus you will have a distinctive and if done well, very appealing area.
This always makes you like like a tool. You can't go play catch in you native plant area.
rollman1
Only if you are insecure about who you are...;)
but really, in the Bay area, unless you bought pre 1998 or so, or have lots of dough, ones yard wouldnt be big enough to play catch in.
July 18, 2007 at 01:18AM View BBCode
Originally posted by bobcat73
Originally posted by rollman1
Or even just get rid of the lawn, use native plants and many many of your problems go away including the water bill.
Plus you will have a distinctive and if done well, very appealing area.
This always makes you like like a tool. You can't go play catch in you native plant area.
Only if you are insecure about who you are...;)
but really, in the Bay area, unless you bought pre 1998 or so, or have lots of dough, ones yard wouldnt be big enough to play catch in.
DW_Geoff
Syco - your lilac has a disease. If it is the one I think it is just keep the leaves away from the tree as they fall so the disease won't propogate next year.
Tyson - If you long is or will eventually be a heavy traffic area, you'll always be playing catch-up. I have a 5 year old boy, so my back yard lawn is constantly being trampled, which is especially harmful in spring. If not then topsoil, some turf, fertiliser should do the trick
July 20, 2007 at 02:20PM View BBCode
Usually I hand pick the beetles off and squish them...Syco - your lilac has a disease. If it is the one I think it is just keep the leaves away from the tree as they fall so the disease won't propogate next year.
Tyson - If you long is or will eventually be a heavy traffic area, you'll always be playing catch-up. I have a 5 year old boy, so my back yard lawn is constantly being trampled, which is especially harmful in spring. If not then topsoil, some turf, fertiliser should do the trick
sycophantman
July 21, 2007 at 01:55AM View BBCode
My lilac has a disease? That's terrible, should I do something more than remove the fallen leaves? I don't want to risk losing my lilac, it's a centerpiece...
DW_Geoff
July 23, 2007 at 04:17PM View BBCode
If it what I think it is....I is a type of Mold, likely non fatal, Just pick up the leaves as they fall, and that should be enough to prevent a reoccurance next year
sycophantman
July 23, 2007 at 07:57PM View BBCode
Alright, it seems to be holding steady. I wonder if it is indeed a disease, not a single leaf has fallen off yet and it's looked odd for a couple of weeks now...
XSwabbie
July 24, 2007 at 11:19PM View BBCode
I usually cultivate my weeds in a closet lined with aluminum foil and an untraviolet light installed :lol::puzzled::saint::oPages: 1 2