Lawn Care

[CNS]

What do those run?

Mine is a dino that was a commercial level one and was rebuilt by a machine shop guy I used to live near.  Got it for $150.  have had to do another $150 in work on it in the last three years, but it is a monster and doesn't need weight on it to do it's job.

No clue what a new one runs.

As for further diff, and Dobbs feel free to correct this if wrong, I was told by grass pad ppl that blue grass will spread where as fescue won't unless it goes to seed.  So if you aerate and the seed gets dropped in the aerate hole, the grass plant will be too deep and won't spread to the surface if you are over seeding in fescue, which I do.  The guy told me that it works just fine if bluegrass is your thing.

Verticutting opens up a trench to let the seed in without it being inches deep.  Also, I have always had clay issues until last the new house and I was trying to open up as much surface area to get compost and fert in the as I could.  I don't know if any of this is backed up by actual scientific knowledge, but it makes sense to me and it worked at my old lawn.

[slobber]

DOBBER DO YOU THINK THIS IS A GOOD PLAN? WHY WON'T YOU LOOK AT MY PLAN DOBBER YOU SON OF A BITCH.  JUST KIDDING BUT SERIOUSLY LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW.  OR WHENEVER YOU HAVE TIME.

My Plan:

Spring
1.  Put down crabgrass preventer+fertilizer tonight (weather permitting) NO SUCH THING AS WEATHER PERMITTING, GET THAT crap OUT NOW!
2.  Spray lawn with orthro weed b gone broad leaf killer spray THAT IS 2,4-D. GET SOME CONCENTRATE AND MIX IT YOURSELF AND SPRAY THE WHOLE YARD IN A WEEK OR TWO

Summer
1.  Weed and feed once in mid summer on a very dewy morning FERTILIZE NOW AND THEN AGAIN IN 6 WEEKS WITH A LOW RATE AND THEN AGAIN IN 6 WEEKS WITH ANOTHER LOW RATE. FERTILIZE AGAIN PRIOR TO OR AT AERATION WITH A STARTER FERTILIZER
2.  Spot spray as needed to control weeds KNOCK YOURSELF OUT

Fall
1.  Use my dad's gas powered dethatcher to dethatch lawn SOME THATCH IS GOOD, BUT IF YOU HAVE .75 " OF THATCH OR MORE, THAT'S JUST TOO MUCH, MAN! DETHATCH THE HELL OUT OF IT.
YOU SHOULD LEAVE YOUR CLIPPINGS, BUT LETTING THE GRASS GET TOO TALL IN BETWEEN MOWINGS WILL LEAD TO A BUILDUP IN THATCH. NEVER MOW MORE THAN THE TOP 1/3RD OF THE HEIGHT.
2.  Aerate YES. IF YOUR YARD IS REALLY THIN, GO OVER IT ABOUT 4 or 5 TIMES.
3.  Overseed YES

Does anyone want to change or add anything?

[slobber]

I'd like for someone to tell me the pros/cons of aerate vs verticut.

Aeration reduces compaction. Verticut is mainly just for seeding, but may start more grass than just a single pass with an aerator. I usually aerate my lawn in 2-3 directions prior to overseeding. Verticut will also remove/breakup your thatch layer, which is good if it is too thick.

[slobber]

DOBBER DO YOU THINK THIS IS A GOOD PLAN? WHY WON'T YOU LOOK AT MY PLAN DOBBER YOU SON OF A BITCH.  JUST KIDDING BUT SERIOUSLY LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW.  OR WHENEVER YOU HAVE TIME.

My Plan:

Spring
1.  Put down crabgrass preventer+fertilizer tonight (weather permitting)
2.  Spray lawn with orthro weed b gone broad leaf killer spray

Summer
1.  Weed and feed once in mid summer on a very dewy morning
2.  Spot spray as needed to control weeds

Fall
1.  Use my dad's gas powered dethatcher to dethatch lawn
2.  Aerate
3.  Overseed

Does anyone want to change or add anything?

Changing your name to steve dave helps.  dobber is like my own personal landscaper now.

I missed the plan question. I thought you wanted me to answer the first post, which I did! Also answered this post!

[Tobias]

dobber, stud

[Mikeyis4dcats]

ASFAIK they are for two different purposes.

Verticutting is a way to remove thatch and ensure seed to soil contact.

Aeration removes core plugs which allow for some seed to soil contact when overseeding by dropping those soil plugs on the surface which in turn break down when watered, but has the intent if promoting an avenue for water and fertilizer (and other amendments) to penetrate deeper into the soil.  It also looses the soil and reduces compaction which is bad for root growth.   

[ben ji]

Everytime I read these lawn care threads I think about that planet earth where some exotic bird meticulously clears a patch of earth then dances on it to attract a mate.


Male Bluegill do this as well to attract a mate, they will create a little circle in along the bank with rocks in the middle. Then the females come along and get super choosey and will only lay eggs in the best circles.



In the grand scheme of thigns we are all just animals trying to find/keep a mate and pass our seed along.

[_33]

Thanks, dobber.  You've really given me the the knowledge and confidence I need to tackle this lawn issue.

[kso_FAN]

Thanks, dobber.  You've really given me the the knowledge and confidence I need to tackle this lawn issue.

Yeah, I feel better too. Thanks for coming up with a dobber approved plan. Seems doable.

[Dr Rick Daris]

you guys, i just had a funny thought. what if we went to dobbers house and his yard was all horrible. that would be pretty funny.

[Mr Bread]

you guys, i just had a funny though. what if we went to dobbers house and his yard was all horrible. that would be pretty funny.

The guy that came up with crossfit looks like crap. 

[Tobias]

my lawn (front) looks fantastic today - thanks nature (and science)!

[Cire]

Any benefit to spring seeding?  or just wait until fall?

[CNS]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/John-Deere-48-in-Tow-Behind-Plug-Aerator-PA-48JD/100609654?N=5yc1vZbx8w

May pick one of these up this spring.

Pretty reasonable.

Anyone ever use one of these before? 

The guy with the absolute best retired-guy lawn on my street uses one of these.

[Dr Rick Daris]

better yet, what if he didn't even have a yard. like he lives in a downtown new york loft or something. that would also be pretty funny.

[kso_FAN]

better yet, what if he didn't even have a yard. like he lives in a downtown new york loft or something. that would also be pretty funny.

Hey guys, check out my yard. This stuff really works!

[Mikeyis4dcats]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/John-Deere-48-in-Tow-Behind-Plug-Aerator-PA-48JD/100609654?N=5yc1vZbx8w

May pick one of these up this spring.

Pretty reasonable.

Anyone ever use one of these before? 

The guy with the absolute best retired-guy lawn on my street uses one of these.

check into just renting one, the local place here has a nicer Bluebird model with weights and everything.  I think they charged me $50, and I didn't have to store it the other 364.

[CNS]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/John-Deere-48-in-Tow-Behind-Plug-Aerator-PA-48JD/100609654?N=5yc1vZbx8w

May pick one of these up this spring.

Pretty reasonable.

Anyone ever use one of these before? 

The guy with the absolute best retired-guy lawn on my street uses one of these.

check into just renting one, the local place here has a nicer Bluebird model with weights and everything.  I think they charged me $50, and I didn't have to store it the other 364.

Yeah, but renting is a pain in the ass to pick up and drop off, and if you think you are going to do it sat while planning on Fri but then Sat gets here and you don't feel like it, you still pay for the rental, etc. 

Also, the reviews are pretty decent and note that it is heavily built, so it should last a while.  Also, if you use it twice a year as some above have noted, this thing pays for itself in 5 yrs and even quicker if you counter in the fact that I hate dealing with the above rental stuff. 

Going to buy it tonight.   Free shipping!

[Mikeyis4dcats]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/John-Deere-48-in-Tow-Behind-Plug-Aerator-PA-48JD/100609654?N=5yc1vZbx8w

May pick one of these up this spring.

Pretty reasonable.

Anyone ever use one of these before? 

The guy with the absolute best retired-guy lawn on my street uses one of these.

check into just renting one, the local place here has a nicer Bluebird model with weights and everything.  I think they charged me $50, and I didn't have to store it the other 364.

Yeah, but renting is a pain in the ass to pick up and drop off, and if you think you are going to do it sat while planning on Fri but then Sat gets here and you don't feel like it, you still pay for the rental, etc. 

Also, the reviews are pretty decent and note that it is heavily built, so it should last a while.  Also, if you use it twice a year as some above have noted, this thing pays for itself in 5 yrs and even quicker if you counter in the fact that I hate dealing with the above rental stuff. 

Going to buy it tonight.   Free shipping!

some talk online that the JD is most likely pretty much the same as this one with a paint job.   http://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Outdoor-Power-Equipment-Riding-Mower-Tractor-Attachments-Aerators/N-5yc1vZbx8w
 Now THAT price is probably worth buying one.

[XocolateThundarr]

Everytime I read these lawn care threads I think about that planet earth where some exotic bird meticulously clears a patch of earth then dances on it to attract a mate.


Male Bluegill do this as well to attract a mate, they will create a little circle in along the bank with rocks in the middle. Then the females come along and get super choosey and will only lay eggs in the best circles.



In the grand scheme of thigns we are all just animals trying to find/keep a mate and pass our seed along.

Check out those rocks.....   

[Dugout DickStone]

front row in center has the best nest bed.  he is like KState.  Way up int he upper right is the ku bluegill with his old, broke down rock nest that no female will stop to lay eggs in.

[CNS]

Very bottom right is MU.  Plenty of rocks, nice shallow water, but the fish just left for a shittier hole.

[HerrSonntag]

Everytime I read these lawn care threads I think about that planet earth where some exotic bird meticulously clears a patch of earth then dances on it to attract a mate.


Male Bluegill do this as well to attract a mate, they will create a little circle in along the bank with rocks in the middle. Then the females come along and get super choosey and will only lay eggs in the best circles.



In the grand scheme of thigns we are all just animals trying to find/keep a mate and pass our seed along.

Check out those rocks.....   

I want to walk barefoot through those rocks!

[sys]

dobber, several questions.

1)  i have this big bag of 15:15:15 and an urge to put it everywhere (nonlawn, other plant question).  is there anything that won't like it? PROBABLY SOMETHING WON'T LIKE IT- I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ALL HAVE! YOU SHOULD BE FINE. JUST DON'T POUR IT OUT AT AN INSANE RATE. IT IS JUST FERTILIZER (NUTRIENTS FOUND IN THE SOIL).
2)  i have white clover in my lawn and want to keep and encourage it.  anything i can use to kill other crap that will leave the clover alone? WHAT?!?!?!?!? I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS!!!!!  (SINCE KC IS KIND OF ON THE N. EDGE OF THE TRANSITION ZONE, YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING IN THE STORE THAT WILL KILL POA (fescue), JUST MAKE CERTAIN IT DOESN'T KILL ANY BROADLEAVES (READ THE LABEL AND SEE IF IT CONTROLS DANDELIONS, IF IT DOES, IT WILL ALSO KILL YOUR WHITE CLOVER) (ARE YOU AN APIARIST?)
3)  my entire property is infested with more earwigs than anyone would believe possible.  any good way to kill them that won't render my edible plants inedible? SEVIN GRANULES or LIQUID SEVIN AROUND YOUR FOUNDATION. PROBABLY MORE THAN ONE APPLICATION. SEVIN IS REGESTERED TO USE ON MOST FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, WHICH IS WHY I RECOMMENDED IT FOR YOU. LOTS OF PRODUCTS CONTROL EARWIGS.

1.  thank you.
2.  i wasn't clear.  i don't want to kill my fescues.  i'd like to kill everything but the fescue and the white clover (i know i can't, but i'd like to).  i just want to be sure not to kill the clover.  i'd rather live with some of the other weeds than kill the clover, but if i can kill them without hurting the clover then they gone.  i'm in california, btw (hot dry part).

followup to 2.  is there any way to kill all this invasive bermuda crap that everyone else has in their lawns and probably was in my lawn before i lived here?  without killing my fescues and clover, that is.

3.  perfect, thank you (if i die of sevin poisoning, i will haunt you, tho).

[sys]

3:   http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/earwigs-c-147.html

that's a great list of stuff that kills insects, but it doesn't provide any information about how they measure on the two criteria i specified - good way to kill lots of earwigs and safe for vertebrates to eat.

sorry I assumed being a KSU fan you could a) read where it states those are the best products for earwig control and b) weren't so lazy you couldn't review the products recommended for those compatible with a vegetable garden.  carry on!

well, jfc, mikey.  if i wanted to research which product to use myself i wouldn't have posted in this thread.  i'm not here to fanningbrag about how many earwigs i have.