|
|
NO THIS IS NOT A THREAD ABOUT POT
I thought that since I have quite extensive knowledge about growing grass (sod) I would offer my advice here for anyone that has questions about having the best looking lawn you can have. I can also answer some questions about landscape plants but those are a bit more tricky. So fire away if you have any questions or concerns about your lawn or landscape.
How and when do you attempt to kill crabgrass?
Every spring I get these nasty sandburs in the back yard. They get in the dog, shoelaces, etc, get tracked in the house and you step on them in the middle of the night (ouch). My back yard is really too big to sod and water consistently. I would prefer a method that I could treat it once a year and forget it. I don't care what other weeds I get back there, as long as it is not THAT weed.
Originally Posted by atobulldog
Ato, the best way to get rid of crabgrass is to never let it germinate. You do this by applying a pre-emergent before it comes up, usually about the time most people start to take interest in their lawn for the year. Once the soil temp hits about 65 crabgrass will start to come up. I put down a single application on St. Aug, Centipede in Feb and I do split applications on Bermuda in Feb and March. Once it is up it's tough to get rid of. MSMA works on Bermuda.
There used to be a great herbicide for sand bur called Confront (chloropyrilid, triclypor). The EPA restricted it to golf courses. If you know some one you might find it. You can try a product called Spotlight or look for something with a that is labled for that weed. I'll check to see what you might be able to buy at a garden center.
Any way to get bahayah (sp?) out other than just digging it up? I've thought about using a ropewick/roundup contraption on it.
Best grass in shade (approx. 75%)?
I got rid of most of the bahia in my yard by putting out lime to increase the pH and by mowing it frequently to keep it very short. This got rid of the majority of it.
For what was left I went to a farm co-op store and got a chemical designed for bahia and sprayed it on the remaining bahia. Most of it is still there. Digging it up also works.
I took samples of soil to the county agent and he sent it off for analysis. The analysis told me how much lime to put out. For the bahia area I put our more lime than recommended.
metsulfuronmethel, goes by the brand name Manor. Works great on bahaia.
There is nothing better than St. Aug in the shade. 75% though is about the max you can grow St. Aug. Sounds like you are not having success with that so there is another option. With that much shade you could plant Tall Fescue. It will stay green all winter and you will have to mow it during the winter months but it will survive the hot summers in heavy shade. Most of the time when I have a customer that is dealing with that type of situation I recomend that they stop trying to grow grass where it doesn't want to grow and landscape the area. Azaleas are great in shade and paving stones and ground cover are another option.
Depending on the herbicide they gave you it was either the wrong one or it was misapplied. One thing that most do it yourselfers commonly do is miscalculate the rate to apply. You also have to reapply some herbicides a second or third time within a timeframe. A lot of people miss that as well. If you have a particular herbicide that you are trying to apply and you are not sure let me know and I will give you detailed instructions.
My backyard is more of a New Orleans style courtyard. It gets plenty of sun but I can't keep it from dying. I've had it sodded 3 times before and it always dies. First there are a couple of bare spots then the whole yard croaks. I do have three little dogs that use it frequently and I tried using pellitized lime but it only killed the grass.
“Towie Barclay of the Glen, Happy to the maids, But never to the men.”
We have fescue at our place in Atlanta and it is awesome. Great to walk on barefoot.
Used to pull bahia out of my front yard with my fingers every Saturday morning in the summer when I lived in Florida.
Jordan Mills on choosing Tech:
“It’s a great experience seeing them play. It was a good atmosphere. The fans stood up the whole game and never sat down. They have a great fan base.”
Let's get together and I will help you come up with a plan.
We have fescue at our place in Atlanta and it is awesome. Great to walk on barefoot.
Used to pull bahia out of my front yard with my fingers every Saturday morning in the summer when I lived in Florida.
Fescue is great but is not good for this far south. It just will not survive the summer. There is a variety of Bahia that is grown in Fla. and used as turf. I don't recommend it. Anyone that has every had to cut the variety we have here knows it's a bit like trying to cut baling wire with a dull knife.
Sounds good. Give me a quote on regular service and we'll do some bidness fer sure.
“Towie Barclay of the Glen, Happy to the maids, But never to the men.”
No problem. I got a really good deal for you.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
