ROund-up leads to emergence of new pathogneic organism

[PRBuzz]

Cheapest mulch you can get: stop picking up and bagging the grass clippings, let them go back into the grass and build up the soil and attract worms.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[justplugit]

There are organic ways to have a nice lawn but it
will always have some weeds. Secret is to fertilize at the
right time so you don't feed the weeds. Best time to fertilize is fall and
late March, if you want it greener feed 1/2 rate in early July as crabgrass
will flourish if you fertilize in June.

Dig out crabgrass before it goes to seed as it is an annual and
can only grow from it's seed the following year. As Rav mentioned
keep the grass cut high so the weeds need to compete for light.

Use a propane torch on weeds in the driveway or walk.

Deep water so the grass can compete against the shallow rooted weeds.
If you absolutely need to, just spot kill the weeds with a herbicide.
Keep a sharp blade to prevent tearing the grass and prevent disease.

[Raven]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Cheapest mulch you can get: stop picking up and bagging the grass clippings, let them go back into the grass and build up the soil and attract worms.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Originally Posted by justplugit

There are organic ways to have a nice lawn but it
will always have some weeds. Secret is to fertilize at the
right time so you don't feed the weeds. Best time to fertilize is fall and
late March, if you want it greener feed 1/2 rate in early July as crabgrass
will flourish if you fertilize in June.(NOT WHEN YOU FERTILIZE WITH LEAVES)

Dig out crabgrass before it goes to seed as it is an annual and
can only grow from it's seed the following year. As Rav mentioned
keep the grass cut high so the weeds need to compete for light.


Deep water so the grass can compete against the shallow rooted weeds.
If you absolutely need to, just spot kill the weeds with a herbicide.
Keep a sharp blade to prevent tearing the grass and prevent disease.

the only time i use an herbicide is when fighting poison IVY my Arch enemy... BUZZ has the right idea on not bagging the grass clippings but an even better approach and of course you'll think i'm NUTS except for maybe Fisherman Tim is to take your bagged maple leaves that you SAVED and stock piled the previous fall and dump them in a "wind row" on a non windy day and the run your mower over them back and forth until the pieces disappear between the blades of grass. Do this in areas where your lawn turns brown or is having trouble.

these pieces the earth worms will suction cup attach their mouth to
and then they'll drag them into their burrow and LINE it with leaves as walls
where they can eat in relative safety from the skillful robins.

the most beneficial substance your lawn can have is Humus not something
out of a scott's fertilizer BAG.

IT holds ten times it's weight in water so when things get real dry
your lawn still has plenty of water on hand.

when dandelions appear i pop their tops but leave them alone because i want the root to get bigger and stronger,,,for pulling out easier and i sometimes even use my shop vac in my garden for bugs (works pissah) and to vacume up dandelion seeds that have matured or i instantly bag them.

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by Raven

the most beneficial substance your lawn can have is Humus not something
out of a scott's fertilizer BAG.

IT holds ten times it's weight in water so when things get real dry
your lawn still has plenty of water on hand.

That is one of the best ways, but you have to screen the leaf mold
very fine to get even distribution with a spreader.
If you use an aerator before spreading the mulch it really works well.
But it is time consuming.

[Raven]

if i have a "problem area" that's where i grind up the leaves with the mower

then i simply rake them in, so to speak....yeah an aerator is the cats meow

wish i owned one... this isn't my place...mind you, and if it was my ENTIRE LAWN would be IVY of many types with flower beds scattered around....

to be a SLAVE to one's lawn is "NOT" worth my time.

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by Raven

... BUZZ has the right idea on not bagging the grass clippings but an even better approach and of course you'll think i'm NUTS except for maybe Fisherman Tim is to take your bagged maple leaves that you SAVED and stock piled the previous fall and dump them in a "wind row" on a non windy day and the run your mower over them back and forth until the pieces disappear between the blades of grass.

Haven't bagged leaves in years either, always ground up with the lawn mower and re-deposited back into soil. Maple/oak leaves doesn't matter, and yes every couple years throw out some lime to neutralize the acidic oaks...

[afterhours]

Monsanto, these guys are brutal .