You know those plastic owls that a lot of people put out? Get a plastic hawk and hang it up there somewhere.
Yard Care for Dummies
- Thread starter wxman1
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You know those plastic owls that a lot of people put out? Get a plastic hawk and hang it up there somewhere.
As BillyClone suggested, replacing it with vinyl is your best bet. They are either trying to create a nesting site (likely based on your description), drumming (woodpecker twitter), or foraging for insects.
Just got a bag at Theisens in Ames for $9/bag. A guy was looking at the bag and goes, "You have to put down multiple applications." He picked up bag of Scotts for like $41. You can do the math if you put down four applications.
Just keep in mind Milorganite isn't a balanced fertilizer with an analysis of something like 6-4-0. That Phosphorus can build up over time so I'd suggest a soil sample analysis, especially if you've been using it for a couple of seasons. It also has no Pottassium which is a needed for healthy turf. I still use it on occasion, but I find it to be too expensive given the 6-4-0 analysis.
Siding is on our short list for home improvement projects. We'll go with the Hardy cement board siding when that time comes, which may be sooner than I want, and as excited I am for that day, I am not ready for the cost. Replacing our siding simply because of woodpeckers really bothers me as well
I have tried a plastic owl, once they determined the owls eyes didn't move they were back at it. Also the sight of an owl attached to my tailgate flag pole did not meet my wife, or neighborhood's landscaping requirements. We had flashers placed on the corners of the house and chimney (pest control professional recommendation) that would blow in wind, with the thought that the reflection, movement, and sound the blowing flashers make would spook them.
I recently found this (link below), for my next attempt. Anyone have thoughts? Like I said above, Id like to put off new siding as long as possible.
https://dbzon.com/products/woodpeck...currency=USD&gclid=CJHQgaOd1eICFcK1wAod26EGdw
I've read a lot that woodpeckers like chimneys, whats strange to me is they seem to like the bathroom window area of my house, which is about 10 feet away from the chimney, the chimney rarely has damage.
Now that it's getting into the 90's, I'm starting to get a lot of weeds popping up. The grass is going semi-dormant.
I've had a lot of success with Scott's Weed-n-Feed (liquid) in the past -- is it OK to to use that in very hot weather?
I've had a lot of success with Scott's Weed-n-Feed (liquid) in the past -- is it OK to to use that in very hot weather?
This link is saying you shouldn’t apply herbicide above 85 degrees.
https://www.scotts.com/en-us/library/other-lawn-problems/how-prevent-lawn-burn-summer
Edit: I’m getting a few weeds too. I was planning to wait until next week when the temps are back in the 80s. But that was more because I don’t want to be outside in this heat.
Chemicals will work basically anytime, the issue become absorption by the weed. During hot times, weeds will create like a hard wax that will keep chemicals from being absorbed well. You have a few options. Water your lawn well for a day or two and then spray once the lawn becomes dry enough, wait for a decent rain to occur and the spray , or use a non-ionic surfactant and a sticking agent to affix the chemical to the plant and then help it get absorbed.
The 85 degrees thing is due to vaporization. Many lawn products contain banvel and at 85 that thing can get legs for about a week after spraying if done at recommenced rates. Done at a higher rate and that may increase. You can also get vaporization immediately at that temp especially since lawns generally get too many chemicals and not enough carrier with them, guys can get more done without refilling. The other chemical that is widely used is 24D. Should use amine and not ester to avoid drift and as much volitility.
If you have a backpack sprayer, or pump sprayer, put down some Bio-Advanced Crabgrass and Weed Killer here after the temps drop a bit. Can also put down at night when temps are cooler. Add in 2 oz of baby shampoo per gallon as a surfactant. Stuff works well. If you plan to overseed in the fall you will want to do weed control soon or not at all. The Bio-Advanced product recommends waiting at least 4 weeks before overseeding.
Be careful with weed and feeds at this time of year. You don't want to push a ton of top growth in the summer heat.
Be careful with weed and feeds at this time of year. You don't want to push a ton of top growth in the summer heat.
You should be fine if you follow the bag rate and application, but it is easy to get heavy handed with a recommended rate of 2.86 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. This equates to .8 lbs of nitrogen/1000 sq ft with Scott's weed and feed containing 28% nitrogen.
They have recommended spreader settings on the bag. Apply to wet grass and don't irrigate for 24 hours. I'd make sure it gets watered in after that though.
In summary, it is tough on grass to try and push a ton of growth during tough heat.
I only use the liquid stuff that comes in the hose attachment. Does that matter?
It's not the best idea. If you can wait to spray when the grass isn't as stressed and temps come down. Weed control doesn't work as well when things aren't growing quickly. If you water this week a bunch and wake everything up with the lower temps you can spray this weekend with likely good results.
Applying nitrogen in the heat is not recommended. Nitrogen drives leaf growth, but often the plant doesn't have the root depth to support the leaf growth. Also, synthetic fertilizers are salts. Salts pull water out of the soil at the expense of the plant. You don't want to dry out soil further in the heat.
When should one think about doing their fall aeration?
What does it cost to have a service come out and do it vs the rental companies $90/day?
What does it cost to have a service come out and do it vs the rental companies $90/day?
