Yard Care for Dummies

[jdcyclone19]

I probably shouldn’t ask but what the heck it’s friday. Why do you use 2 4D but not anything with atrazine? Seeing how they are similar to each other in what is considered harmful.

Atrazine moves through the soil easier and has huge negative impacts on aquatic wildlife. It impacts surface body’s of water the most.

Also, not sure what you mean by similar to each other in what is considered harmful. What are you using to compare?

 

[khardbored]

So I bought a cheap dethatcher / scarifyer last week, and spent 4 hours removing dead grass from the front yard on Saturday. Got 7 lawn-mower bags of thatch out. Hoping that does the trick, the lawn was really slow to green up. I have some very thin spots that I hope fill in naturally, as I already put down my pre-emergent crabgrass stuff so can't seed.

 

[zarnold56]

I bought a house in January of last year and am losing the battle in the front yard with creeping charlie. There is a small amount in the back yard. I put down crabgrass preventer the last weekend in march and it says to wait 6 to 8 weeks before applying other weed stuff. The creeping Charlie is in bloom right now and read that weed-b-gone works decently in the spring when it is flowering. Can I put that stuff down now or do I have to wait still?

 

[jdcyclone19]

I bought a house in January of last year and am losing the battle in the front yard with creeping charlie. There is a small amount in the back yard. I put down crabgrass preventer the last weekend in march and it says to wait 6 to 8 weeks before applying other weed stuff. The creeping Charlie is in bloom right now and read that weed-b-gone works decently in the spring when it is flowering. Can I put that stuff down now or do I have to wait still?

Spray it. That battle is a tough one. Find a lawn weed spray with triclophr, works way better than most other sprays for creeping Charlie. I don’t think weed b gone has that in it.

 

[nocsious3]

I bought a house in January of last year and am losing the battle in the front yard with creeping charlie. There is a small amount in the back yard. I put down crabgrass preventer the last weekend in march and it says to wait 6 to 8 weeks before applying other weed stuff. The creeping Charlie is in bloom right now and read that weed-b-gone works decently in the spring when it is flowering. Can I put that stuff down now or do I have to wait still?

I would read the label again. It's pretty normal for a pre-emergent herbicide to recommend a window before applying again, but I haven't seen a label that directs you not to apply alternative herbicides. You can buy straight triclopyr at the hardware store and it's normally labeled poison ivy/brush killer. Look at the active ingredient on the front of the bottle. Triclopyr works better than 2,4-D on creeping charlie and it's great for clover too. Both creeping charlie and clover are tough to get rid of with standard weed 'b gone type products. Read the label and mix in a 1 gallon hand can sprayer and spot spray your problem areas. Remember to read the label for spot spraying and mix at the correct rate. You'll likely need 2 rounds of spray about 2 weeks apart but please do follow the label directions.

 

[nocsious3]

So I bought a cheap dethatcher / scarifyer last week, and spent 4 hours removing dead grass from the front yard on Saturday. Got 7 lawn-mower bags of thatch out. Hoping that does the trick, the lawn was really slow to green up. I have some very thin spots that I hope fill in naturally, as I already put down my pre-emergent crabgrass stuff so can't seed.

What kind of grass do you have?

 

[Gordilly]

Spray it. That battle is a tough one. Find a lawn weed spray with triclophr, works way better than most other sprays for creeping Charlie. I don’t think weed b gone has that in it.

There a version of Weed B Gon that is labeled for Chickweed, et al that uses Triclophr as the active ingredient. Even comes in a bottle with a hose attachment so you don't have to mix it manually. I just sprayed my patch of Creeping Charlie a couple hours ago...

 

[Acylum]

I would read the label again. It's pretty normal for a pre-emergent herbicide to recommend a window before applying again, but I haven't seen a label that directs you not to apply alternative herbicides. You can buy straight triclopyr at the hardware store and it's normally labeled poison ivy/brush killer. Look at the active ingredient on the front of the bottle. Triclopyr works better than 2,4-D on creeping charlie and it's great for clover too. Both creeping charlie and clover are tough to get rid of with standard weed 'b gone type products. Read the label and mix in a 1 gallon hand can sprayer and spot spray your problem areas. Remember to read the label for spot spraying and mix at the correct rate. You'll likely need 2 rounds of spray about 2 weeks apart but please do follow the label directions.

So applying at the spot spraying level won’t hurt turf grasses? Also, how would it work on violets?

 

[jdcyclone19]

There a version of Weed B Gon that is labeled for Chickweed, et al that uses Triclophr as the active ingredient. Even comes in a bottle with a hose attachment so you don't have to mix it manually. I just sprayed my patch of Creeping Charlie a couple hours ago...

Good to know! Let us know how it turns out on the creeping charlie. I also just sprayed a large patch yesterday.

 

[nocsious3]

So applying at the spot spraying level won’t hurt turf grasses? Also, how would it work on violets?

It shouldn't hurt the grass assuming the herbicide you're using is compatible with your type of turf and you spray at the right rate, and during the right temperature windows. Triclopyr is great on violets too. Triclopyr is fine for tall fescues and bluegrass. It's probably fine on rye grass too, but honestly I don't remember without looking at the label.

I like using a surfactant in your tank mix but once again "read the label". Any Ace Hardware should have a surfactant. It's normally about $8 for a small bottle but it really helps make the spray more effective at killing weeds. Surfactant in this case is basically just a soap to break water tension which will create find drops on the weeds. Bigger drops aren't as effective as they tend to join up into globs of liquid and then flow off the leaf surface. Finer drops stick and the plant absorbs the herbicide better.

I would advise against most homeowners combining triclopyr and other herbicides like 2,4-D in the same tank mix. It's possible, but introduces greater chances of turf injury for those not versed in herbicide use. In other words, don't home brew your own weed killer.

 

[khardbored]

What kind of grass do you have?

... the regular kind????

Sorry, I don't know. It was sod laid in 2017 by a professional company. It was super lush in the spring of 2018, and I think my downfall was that I didn't bag the first several months last year so there were huge chunks of dead, thick grass all over that laid there for all of the past summer, Fall, and Winter. When the snow melted, I noticed it.

 

[Acylum]

It shouldn't hurt the grass assuming the herbicide you're using is compatible with your type of turf and you spray at the right rate, and during the right temperature windows. Triclopyr is great on violets too. Triclopyr is fine for tall fescues and bluegrass. It's probably fine on rye grass too, but honestly I don't remember without looking at the label.

I like using a surfactant in your tank mix but once again "read the label". Any Ace Hardware should have a surfactant. It's normally about $8 for a small bottle but it really helps make the spray more effective at killing weeds. Surfactant in this case is basically just a soap to break water tension which will create find drops on the weeds. Bigger drops aren't as effective as they tend to join up into globs of liquid and then flow off the leaf surface. Finer drops stick and the plant absorbs the herbicide better.

I would advise against most homeowners combining triclopyr and other herbicides like 2,4-D in the same tank mix. It's possible, but introduces greater chances of turf injury for those not versed in herbicide use. In other words, don't home brew your own weed killer.

Thanks, great info. Ground Ivy and violets are my biggest problems, thanks to my neighbors. I have some surfactant that I’ve already been combining with a Fertilome product in an attempt to combat the ivy and violets. I noticed a slight improvement last year but it was still a lost cause. I’ll be looking for a Tryclopyr product soon. I’ve seen Baby shampoo suggested as a cheaper alternative to a dedicated surfactant. Do you think that would be viable?

 

[nocsious3]

... the regular kind????

Sorry, I don't know. It was sod laid in 2017 by a professional company. It was super lush in the spring of 2018, and I think my downfall was that I didn't bag the first several months last year so there were huge chunks of dead, thick grass all over that laid there for all of the past summer, Fall, and Winter. When the snow melted, I noticed it.

If it's bluegrass it should fill in. As far as slow green up, it could be a number of factors including a specific variety or "cultivar" that's just slow. I'm making some assumptions, but typically fescue doesn't accumulate that much thatch so my best guess would be you have bluegrass. If you have fescue it won't fill in, however the fescue plant does sort of get bigger and more full during good growing conditions.

If you really need to fill in some areas, I can give you some tips on how to grow grass even after putting down pre-emergent.

 

[nocsious3]

Thanks, great info. Ground Ivy and violets are my biggest problems, thanks to my neighbors. I have some surfactant that I’ve already been combining with a Fertilome product in an attempt to combat the ivy and violets. I noticed a slight improvement last year but it was still a lost cause. I’ll be looking for a Tryclopyr product soon. I’ve seen Baby shampoo suggested as a cheaper alternative to a dedicated surfactant. Do you think that would be viable?

Baby shampoo or even a small squirt of dish soap works fine. Try not to create too many bubbles.

 

[Tailg8er]

Anybody try Sunday for lawn care? It's a fairly new company (I believe) that you send a soil sample to & they send you nutrients for your lawn. Cost is $179 for the year, which includes the soil test & 3 mailings of products. Somewhat limited so far, as it doesn't appear they include weed control & have a max effective yard size of 7,500 sq ft.

https://www.getsunday.com/

 

[jdcyclone19]

Thanks, great info. Ground Ivy and violets are my biggest problems, thanks to my neighbors. I have some surfactant that I’ve already been combining with a Fertilome product in an attempt to combat the ivy and violets. I noticed a slight improvement last year but it was still a lost cause. I’ll be looking for a Tryclopyr product soon. I’ve seen Baby shampoo suggested as a cheaper alternative to a dedicated surfactant. Do you think that would be viable?

I use a drop or 2 of dawn dish soap in the hand sprayer.

 

[jdcyclone19]

It shouldn't hurt the grass assuming the herbicide you're using is compatible with your type of turf and you spray at the right rate, and during the right temperature windows. Triclopyr is great on violets too. Triclopyr is fine for tall fescues and bluegrass. It's probably fine on rye grass too, but honestly I don't remember without looking at the label.

I like using a surfactant in your tank mix but once again "read the label". Any Ace Hardware should have a surfactant. It's normally about $8 for a small bottle but it really helps make the spray more effective at killing weeds. Surfactant in this case is basically just a soap to break water tension which will create find drops on the weeds. Bigger drops aren't as effective as they tend to join up into globs of liquid and then flow off the leaf surface. Finer drops stick and the plant absorbs the herbicide better.

I would advise against most homeowners combining triclopyr and other herbicides like 2,4-D in the same tank mix. It's possible, but introduces greater chances of turf injury for those not versed in herbicide use. In other words, don't home brew your own weed killer.

Agree 100%.
Triclophr is great but homeowners shouldn't make home brew out of it and instead buy a premixed herbicide that you only need to add water. It will definitely yellow the lawn if you put too much on it.

 

[jdcyclone19]

For those looking for something for creeping charlie, this is what I recommend to my family and friends and it works fantastic. Will also work on most other lawn weeds. Can buy it at bomgaars and fleet farm. DO NOT OVER MIX or use near trees, bushes or brush! It is very potent, if you overmix it, you can yellow your grass for a few weeks. Its $15 for a quart, so $1/gallon mixed.

2oz/gallon for creeping charlie and other lawn weeds.

https://www.gordonsusa.com/products/lawn-garden/brush-no-more-brush-killer-concentrate/

 

[clone511]

If it's bluegrass it should fill in. As far as slow green up, it could be a number of factors including a specific variety or "cultivar" that's just slow. I'm making some assumptions, but typically fescue doesn't accumulate that much thatch so my best guess would be you have bluegrass. If you have fescue it won't fill in, however the fescue plant does sort of get bigger and more full during good growing conditions.

If you really need to fill in some areas, I can give you some tips on how to grow grass even after putting down pre-emergent.

So, I live in the western suburbs in a newer development, moved in during the fall of 2016. The lawn was sodded back in 2013 when the house was built. From what my neighbors have told me, it's essentially all clay directly beneath the sod. I do my normal fertilizers/milorganite 4 times a year and aerate/over seed each fall. The bare spots and weeds that were present when I moved in have pretty much cleared up and the lawn looks great (minus the dormant stages in the summer), however, it still seems that if I were to take a heavy rake to the lawn I could tear up the sod pretty easily. I'm the type that mows at the same height pretty much all year long (3 inches), so it seems like in the early spring when the grass is starting to green up, it takes awhile longer than the rest of the neighborhood to green up. I've been contemplating renting a dethatcher to take out the thicker dead grass from the prior year, but I'm afraid that if I do that I'll tear the heck out of the sod. Should I drop the mower deck down to a lower setting to mulch up the brown stuff or just be patient with it and let it come in?

 

[nocsious3]

For those looking for something for creeping charlie, this is what I recommend to my family and friends and it works fantastic. Will also work on most other lawn weeds. Can buy it at bomgaars and fleet farm. DO NOT OVER MIX or use near trees, bushes or brush! It is very potent, if you overmix it, you can yellow your grass for a few weeks. Its $15 for a quart, so $1/gallon mixed.

2oz/gallon for creeping charlie and other lawn weeds.

https://www.gordonsusa.com/products/lawn-garden/brush-no-more-brush-killer-concentrate/

Gordon's makes great stuff. This is a potent combo though of 2,4-D amine, triclopyr, and dicamba. That's a harsh and powerful mix of herbicides but should knock down just about anything in your average yard except sedges. I would be careful applying this product in hot weather.