We use a compost tumbler which avoids any critter issues. We compost as long as temps are above freezing. In winter months, we still collect compost but drop it off at the city site.
Fertilizing my lawn for initial spring application
- Thread starter spierceisu
- Start date
We use a compost tumbler which avoids any critter issues. We compost as long as temps are above freezing. In winter months, we still collect compost but drop it off at the city site.
Just finished dethatching my front yard. Holy cow!! I used a metal leaf rake (great upper body work out!) Raked it in like different direction and I know there is still more there yet. Had to quit as it filled my yard waste bin. Probably a 35' x 50' area. After doing that, I don't know if I want to do the back yard. Probably could have gotten a bale off of this.
I bought a Sun Joe electric dethatcher and did my yard 2 springs ago and got a whole truck bed full of grass clippings. It was really impressive. It stunted my yard that summer since it turned super dry after that but it came back pretty thick the next spring.
Do you bag clippings? All you’re doing is picking up mulched grass that hasn’t broken down. It prevents new grass from filling in bare dirt because it chokes it out or seed never reaches the soil surface.
I'm confused -- are you pro-bagging or anti-bagging?
Seems like both here. I probably am missing something.
MOLES!!!!
Long story short -- due to sickness, I didn't mow for about 3 weeks, late Aug into mid Sept. Not too bad, it was still hot. When I finally do, I see them -- the telltale streaks of dead grass, like paths all over the place -- A MOLE!!!! I get them about every other year, but this one was particularly bad.
I'm pleased to report the mole is now dead. I have been testing and I don't believe there are any more. Amazing how much damage 1 can do!
My question is this -- how do I make the ugly streaks go away quickly where the mole killed (or at least partially killed) the grass below the surface?
Long story short -- due to sickness, I didn't mow for about 3 weeks, late Aug into mid Sept. Not too bad, it was still hot. When I finally do, I see them -- the telltale streaks of dead grass, like paths all over the place -- A MOLE!!!! I get them about every other year, but this one was particularly bad.
I'm pleased to report the mole is now dead. I have been testing and I don't believe there are any more. Amazing how much damage 1 can do!
My question is this -- how do I make the ugly streaks go away quickly where the mole killed (or at least partially killed) the grass below the surface?
I’m not really anything. There are pros and cons and multiple ways to go about things. The original question was why haven’t I needed to dethatch my lawn. Bagging clippings on a regular basis would mean it’s probably not necessary.
He’s losing the nutrients from the organic matter not breaking down but also leaving areas for grass to come up when overseeding. Most people mulch clippings and then dethatch what doesn’t break down, then overseed.
Aren’t those voles that you are describing?MOLES!!!!
Long story short -- due to sickness, I didn't mow for about 3 weeks, late Aug into mid Sept. Not too bad, it was still hot. When I finally do, I see them -- the telltale streaks of dead grass, like paths all over the place -- A MOLE!!!! I get them about every other year, but this one was particularly bad.
I'm pleased to report the mole is now dead. I have been testing and I don't believe there are any more. Amazing how much damage 1 can do!
My question is this -- how do I make the ugly streaks go away quickly where the mole killed (or at least partially killed) the grass below the surface?
Just rake up the dead grass and it will fix itself in few weeks. There is no quick fix unless you put seed in the streaks. But then the new grass may be a little bit different color so then you have a different problem.
Depends. Above ground path = vole, underground tunnel=mole. Moles dig under the grass which leaves to yellow lines and tunnels all over. Voles just make small trails above ground in the grass canopy. Those little trails can also make yellow lines. If its moles, make sure to collapse/step on the tunnels to get rid of the empty space.
Yeah I read something that said moles are actually good for aerating your lawn. I just leave them alone.
Alright, got a lot of rain the last week and a few warmer temp days this week. Wait a couple weeks still for winterizer (high nitro) or do it now? My yard has bounced back, even the areas I thought were dormant from the drought and looks largely ok to really good depending on the area.
At this point of the year do you think hitting a lawn with weed chemicals before or after a mow is going to get best result on weed kill? My thought is if you leave the weeds alone there is more coverage area for chemical to apply to while also been told if I mow the damaged/wounded weeds will kill easier.
I am planning on winterizing my lawn next week since there is a chance of rain for about 4 days in a row later in the week so maybe it will get watered in well. I am not sure if this is right or not, but that's my plan. I thought the grass was dormant too, but the last bit of rain really spruced it up.
I'm planning 2 more apps - one this coming weekend and then another mid-november.
I just use the Menards lawn food for most applications (30-0-3): https://www.menards.com/main/outdoo...p-1444429568620-c-1463608034795.htm?exp=false
In the spring I'll use the Lesco from Lowe's that has Stonewall (prodiamine) as a pre-emergent: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lesco-LESCO-Stonewall-Crabgrass-Preventer-0-0-7/5001213041
This is the correct answer. Keep applying every 4 weeks as you normally would until you see hard cold extended temps coming.
