The infamous SNE lawn thread

[Baroclinic Zone]

Anybody here try a Compost Tea Brewer for fertilizing their lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers? The thought intrigues me since it is all natural. Anything to do with harmful chemicals does not appeal to me given my disease and know links between chemicals and cancers. Anything to minimize the use of them I am all for.

[DavisStraight]

Anybody here try a Compost Tea Brewer for fertilizing their lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers? The thought intrigues me since it is all natural. Anything to do with harmful chemicals does not appeal to me given my disease and know links between chemicals and cancers. Anything to minimize the use of them I am all for.

That sounds interesting, Ive been asking the green team for advice in a chemical free lawn but it seems they would rather bust Kevins balls than actually give advice. Supposedly Scotts has some kind of organice fertilizer but I haven been able to find it around here yet.

[nzucker]

That is how it was last year..and what I intended it for this year.

You don't get to decide what other people post. If you don't like it, too bad. Cry to someone else.

You are deliberately trying to aggravate, it's obvious...so you've gotten the reaction you deserve. All this nonsense about moderators about to suspend me is just your not being able to deal with being criticized. Believe me, if one of us was going to be suspended, it'd be you for sure.

[Clinch Leatherwood]

Kevin was going on and on about his LESCO lawn...because he knows it will aggravate others so spare me the Kevin is a victim nonsense.

Give Bob a break unless you're here to see it played out over and over again you'd probably feel the same way. We could be talking about dishwashing detergent and we would have the same situation because it's never the content of what is said but the goal of causing a stir.

Kev I'm not aggravated. I honestly feel sorry for anyone that derives pleasure from tweaking others. Enough time is passing that most know the game. Just like when in march I tossed the exact words back at you from your comments to me in feb and you ran to the teacher/mods. Two sets of rules here one for you and one for all the rest of us.

From a weather standpoint I find what nzucker writes to be infinitely more useful from a weather standpoint and actually backed with some meteorology.

Bob/Taunton. I don't think people see the connection until it happens to them. There are people and animals extremely sensitive to chemicals thru genetics. I'm not one of them but I respect those that are.

Minimizing our impact on others is part of being in a worthwhile society. I'd argue this forum really skews towards those that do care more than the average populace.

Lost in all of this is the promotion of slow release lesco as an alternative over the green in 3 days stuff is actually a move towards environmentally friendly if the only other option is vigoro.

[nzucker]

That sounds interesting, Ive been asking the green team for advice in a chemical free lawn but it seems they would rather bust Kevins balls than actually give advice. Supposedly Scotts has some kind of organice fertilizer but I haven been able to find it around here yet.

I think MiracleGro might have an organic lawn fertilizer, I've certainly used their other organic products before.

Here is an article about making compost tea:

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/tea/tea1.htm

My other advice as a longtime vegetable gardener is the obvious: get the weeds you don't want out of there early, and meticulously. If you plant fast-growing grass strains and immediately pull out things like crabgrass and clover, you'll out-compete them naturally.

[Baroclinic Zone]

I think MiracleGro might have an organic lawn fertilizer, I've certainly used their other organic products before.

Here is an article about making compost tea:

http://www.dep.state...le/tea/tea1.htm

My other advice as a longtime vegetable gardener is the obvious: get the weeds you don't want out of there early, and meticulously. If you plant fast-growing grass strains and immediately pull out things like crabgrass and clover, you'll out-compete them naturally.

Yeah, I've read up on all the information regarding the brewers. It's seems relatively simple to do.

[Baroclinic Zone]

Give Bob a break unless you're here to see it played out over and over again you'd probably feel the same way. We could be talking about dishwashing detergent and we would have the same situation because it's never the content of what is said but the goal of causing a stir.

Kev I'm not aggravated. I honestly feel sorry for anyone that derives pleasure from tweaking others. Enough time is passing that most know the game. Just like when in march I tossed the exact words back at you from your comments to me in feb and you ran to the teacher/mods. Two sets of rules here one for you and one for all the rest of us.

From a weather standpoint I find what nzucker writes to be infinitely more useful from a weather standpoint and actually backed with some meteorology.

Bob/Taunton. I don't think people see the connection until it happens to them. There are people and animals extremely sensitive to chemicals thru genetics. I'm not one of them but I respect those that are.

Minimizing our impact on others is part of being in a worthwhile society. I'd argue this forum really skews towards those that do care more than the average populace.

Lost in all of this is the promotion of slow release lesco as an alternative over the green in 3 days stuff is actually a move towards environmentally friendly if the only other option is vigoro.

Thanks Scott. I'm not going to preach to anyone out there but there are connections to the stuff we use and how it impacts our bodies. LESCO products are certainly better than most commercially sold products, if not the best. I just try to minimize my impact to society as best I can.

[S&P]

another option (i use) to jump start is to purchase a battery charger . Mine has a charge setting and a start setting and can charge most size bateries. if it will hold the charge you should be ok. some (Deere) mowers have an alternator that will charge the battery as it runs, some don't. you can usually get an extra season or two out of battery if it will self charge. eventually it will need to replaced

Yeah 2 yrs ago..my John Deere battery was dead in the spring when i tried to fire it up.

I called my local garage that services our cars..and they sell the tractor batteries. Just bring the dead one down there and they can test it for you..and then recommend what to replace it with if it needs to be replaced.

Or you can jump it with your car..I wasn't sure you could..but made some phone calls..and it does work..if it simply needs a jump start

[Tropopause_Fold]

Yeah 2 yrs ago..my John Deere battery was dead in the spring when i tried to fire it up.

I called my local garage that services our cars..and they sell the tractor batteries. Just bring the dead one down there and they can test it for you..and then recommend what to replace it with if it needs to be replaced.

Or you can jump it with your car..I wasn't sure you could..but made some phone calls..and it does work..if it simply needs a jump start

yeah i tried that over the weekend with no luck - but not sure it was really getting the charge from the car. i know there's still a bit of juice left because it almost turns over the 1st time but then just fails worse each additional attempt. trying to avoid buying a new battery if i can.

[skierinvermont]

Yeah, I've read up on all the information regarding the brewers. It's seems relatively simple to do.

I don't know much about this.. but wouldn't it be better to use some kind of composted manure that is higher in NPK than regular compost? I'm not really sure what the nutrient content of regular compost is, but I'd guess that composted chicken manure has more. Horse manure might too and if you have a truck you can probably get the stuff for free. I feel like a tea of regular compost would be pretty dilute.. but I have no knowledge of this.

[Damage In Tolland]

You don't get to decide what other people post. If you don't like it, too bad. Cry to someone else.

You are deliberately trying to aggravate, it's obvious...so you've gotten the reaction you deserve. All this nonsense about moderators about to suspend me is just your not being able to deal with being criticized. Believe me, if one of us was going to be suspended, it'd be you for sure.

I dish out alot of ball busting..so i can certainly take it as well. no issues there. My issue is with you up on your green soapbox preaching your environmental agenda.. Again..you are entitled to do what you want to do..and so am I.

This is not the place to preach to us about how you voted for Obama for president, or about polluting the environment.

If you like to do that, feel free to go to AP with it.

And BTW...what would i get suspended for? What have done I wrong? I'm anxious to hear this one

[Damage In Tolland]

Give Bob a break unless you're here to see it played out over and over again you'd probably feel the same way. We could be talking about dishwashing detergent and we would have the same situation because it's never the content of what is said but the goal of causing a stir.

Kev I'm not aggravated. I honestly feel sorry for anyone that derives pleasure from tweaking others. Enough time is passing that most know the game. Just like when in march I tossed the exact words back at you from your comments to me in feb and you ran to the teacher/mods. Two sets of rules here one for you and one for all the rest of us.

From a weather standpoint I find what nzucker writes to be infinitely more useful from a weather standpoint and actually backed with some meteorology.

Bob/Taunton. I don't think people see the connection until it happens to them. There are people and animals extremely sensitive to chemicals thru genetics. I'm not one of them but I respect those that are.

Minimizing our impact on others is part of being in a worthwhile society. I'd argue this forum really skews towards those that do care more than the average populace.

Lost in all of this is the promotion of slow release lesco as an alternative over the green in 3 days stuff is actually a move towards environmentally friendly if the only other option is vigoro.

I have never once..not one time have i ever ran to the mods and asked that anyone be suspended. I have never complained about you or Zucckerman or anyone else. Send a PM to all of them and ask them. I don't do that.

I am referring specifically to other posters and /or mods on this board that have approached me with these ideas about suspensions/bannings etc.

[skierinvermont]

I don't know much about this.. but wouldn't it be better to use some kind of composted manure that is higher in NPK than regular compost? I'm not really sure what the nutrient content of regular compost is, but I'd guess that composted chicken manure has more. Horse manure might too and if you have a truck you can probably get the stuff for free.

There's also this option I came across recently:

The Humanure Handbook

[Baroclinic Zone]

I don't know much about this.. but wouldn't it be better to use some kind of composted manure that is higher in NPK than regular compost? I'm not really sure what the nutrient content of regular compost is, but I'd guess that composted chicken manure has more. Horse manure might too and if you have a truck you can probably get the stuff for free.

You definitely need to have the correct mix of organic material. Leaves, grass clippings, mulch, food scraps. They all come into play.

[Mr Torchey]

For those looking for a good lawn and perennial fertilizer.

Its called Sustain, medium blend slow release.

Promotes healthy deep root growth, its as good as it gets.

[Mr Torchey]

You definitely need to have the correct mix of organic material. Leaves, grass clippings, mulch, food scraps. They all come into play.

Composte is wonderful to spread on the lawn, but make sure its FINISHED compost, very important, spread an 1/8 to 1/4 inch across the lawn works wonders.

[Baroclinic Zone]

Composte is wonderful to spread on the lawn, but make sure its FINISHED compost, very important, spread an 1/8 to 1/4 inch across the lawn works wonders.

I actually referring to a compost tea. A liquid application onto the lawn that is brewed using air, compost, and water. An all natural fertilizer.

[Mr Torchey]

I actually referring to a compost tea. A liquid application onto the lawn that is brewed using air, compost, and water. An all natural fertilizer.

I know, just another form.

Just got a order of corn gluten in, put down sustain today, compost went down on my properties last week and blended in beautifully timed perfectly with the rain, lawns are just super happy right now.

I would love to do the tea, just not cost effective for my business yet on a contractor scale, but i yields wonderful results.

Will overseed properties in a couple weeks, fantastic way to crowd out weeds along with a mower height of 3 inches which shades the weed and does not allow it to grow.

Horticultural vinegar and citrus blends are wonderful for spot weed removal.

Enjoy the day everyone!!

[skierinvermont]

You definitely need to have the correct mix of organic material. Leaves, grass clippings, mulch, food scraps. They all come into play.

I just looked it up.. animal compost (especially chicken but also cow and horse) have close to 2X the nitrogen concentration as typical yard compost. Maybe 2-3X the phosphorous. I would just worry that a tea of regular yard compost would be pretty dilute for doing a whole yard but I don't know anything about this.

[nzucker]

I just looked it up.. animal compost (especially chicken but also cow and horse) have close to 2X the nitrogen concentration as typical yard compost. Maybe 2-3X the phosphorous. I would just worry that a tea of regular yard compost would be pretty dilute for doing a whole yard but I don't know anything about this.

It is not just about NPK though in this case...you don't need massive amounts of nitrogen to grow grass like you do for corn...

The yard compost probably does deliver some of the micronutrients pretty effectively, and that's what allows the plant to derive 100% benefit from the NPK present in the soil.

I worked at a sustainable agriculture center for a summer, and their two favorite fertilizers for vegetable and flower beds were kelp (seaweed powder) and sulfur pellets, both of which are considered organic. Not sure if this works for lawns but checking your sulfur might be a good idea as it's often deficient.

[Tropopause_Fold]

I actually referring to a compost tea. A liquid application onto the lawn that is brewed using air, compost, and water. An all natural fertilizer.

bob i think Harvard has a demonstration of this. it's probably online...i know there was a tv special on it - think it was PBS. the stuff is like molasses but supposedly works pretty darn well.

[Baroclinic Zone]

I just looked it up.. animal compost (especially chicken but also cow and horse) have close to 2X the nitrogen concentration as typical yard compost. Maybe 2-3X the phosphorous. I would just worry that a tea of regular yard compost would be pretty dilute for doing a whole yard but I don't know anything about this.

Yeah, your standard home compost bin may not have the proper mix.

[Baroclinic Zone]

bob i think Harvard has a demonstration of this. it's probably online...i know there was a tv special on it - think it was PBS. the stuff is like molasses but supposedly works pretty darn well.

Yeah I saw it done on TOH. It was pretty sweet.

http://www.uos.harvard.edu/fmo/landscape/organiclandscaping/

Kev's lawn and got nothing on this on Harvard's.

[Clinch Leatherwood]

I have never once..not one time have i ever ran to the mods and asked that anyone be suspended. I have never complained about you or Zucckerman or anyone else. Send a PM to all of them and ask them. I don't do that.

I am referring specifically to other posters and /or mods on this board that have approached me with these ideas about suspensions/bannings etc.

Whenever someone points out your hypocrisy (like I did a month ago in tossing your own words back at you) you go into some spiel about how/why people should get suspended. You are often the biggest offender when it comes to bending rules which puts your friend mods in a tough spot. Just look at way you wrote towards nzucker today.

I just wish all the instigation would end. People can disagree. The fact that you admittedly enjoy aggravating other posters.....some would call that trolling.

There is a reason we aren't significantly adding to the core mass of professional posters in our region and many point the finger specifically at that activity.

[Clinch Leatherwood]

Yep it's Harvard and it was featured on an episode of this old house which you can find on the PBS site

[skierinvermont]

It is not just about NPK though in this case...you don't need massive amounts of nitrogen to grow grass like you do for corn...

The yard compost probably does deliver some of the micronutrients pretty effectively, and that's what allows the plant to derive 100% benefit from the NPK present in the soil.

I worked at a sustainable agriculture center for a summer, and their two favorite fertilizers for vegetable and flower beds were kelp (seaweed powder) and sulfur pellets, both of which are considered organic. Not sure if this works for lawns but checking your sulfur might be a good idea as it's often deficient.

Lawns are pretty heavy nitrogen feeders, at least for if you want it bright green which is why a common ratio of NPK is around 4-1-2. It's rare that lawns require an application of secondary or micronutrients. Rarely iron may be beneficial and reduce the need for nitrogen. Calcium and magnesium are occasionally needed in acidic soils. Sulfur is almost never needed except in western alkaline soils. It's important to check because a deficiency can cause big problems, but in general most lawns will have adequate levels of secondary and micronutrients. Everybody should check because it's cheap and easy.

[Damage In Tolland]

Whenever someone points out your hypocrisy (like I did a month ago in tossing your own words back at you) you go into some spiel about how/why people should get suspended. You are often the biggest offender when it comes to bending rules which puts your friend mods in a tough spot. Just look at way you wrote towards nzucker today.

I just wish all the instigation would end. People can disagree. The fact that you admittedly enjoy aggravating other posters.....some would call that trolling.

There is a reason we aren't significantly adding to the core mass of professional posters in our region and many point the finger specifically at that activity.

i responded that way when he called me and I quote an" idiot" and a pathetic one at that".

We are adding to the amount of pro mets each and every week on this forum. More and more mets are joining..Many just lurk unbeknownest to you. hint hint

[nzucker]

Lawns are pretty heavy nitrogen feeders, at least for if you want it bright green which is why a common ratio of NPK is around 4-1-2. It's rare that lawns require an application of secondary or micronutrients. Sometimes iron may be beneficial and reduce the need for nitrogen. Calcium and magnesium are occasionally needed in acidic soils. Sulfur is almost never needed except in western alkaline soils.

Yeah kelp is 1-0-2 so it has the higher nitrogen/potassium but it looks like it may contain some growth hormones that are helpful to plants, not sure about grass however:

http://naturalfarmers.com/benefits.html

We have a very lush lawn in PA and we've never had to add any fertilizers to the soil, even though the Pocono Plateau has very nutrient-poor, rocky soils that are often pH unbalanced...I personally think one of the factors is sunlight, it seems a mix of sun/shade really helps the grasses that we have..the lawn burns out much more easily in the exposed areas near the lake which don't have any trees.

[nzucker]

. Everybody should check because it's cheap and easy.

LOL I feel like such a hypocrite because I love to garden and am always saying people should check their soil, yet mine has never been tested here in Dobbs Ferry. I know the Hudson Valley has pretty good soil quality so I don't worry too much but I should still probably at least stick the pH strip in.

We had our soil tested in PA, but it was such a horrible fail that I think we just gave up...rock is pretty much lacking in every nutrient, so what can you do? We did manage to grow green beans and herbs when I was a kid in the ground, though.

[skierinvermont]

LOL I feel like such a hypocrite because I love to garden and am always saying people should check their soil, yet mine has never been tested here in Dobbs Ferry. I know the Hudson Valley has pretty good soil quality so I don't worry too much but I should still probably at least stick the pH strip in.

We had our soil tested in PA, but it was such a horrible fail that I think we just gave up...rock is pretty much lacking in every nutrient, so what can you do? We did manage to grow green beans and herbs when I was a kid in the ground, though.

I know my soil is probably a little deficient but I'm not going to spend the money to do everything to fix it and I don't use fertilizer anyways so it's unlikely I will do too much. I'm just going to get as much composted horse manure as possible but it probably won't be enough. Better than nothing though. If I was trying to get great soil or was going to use fertilizers, then I would test. My goal is to spend less than $80 on the garden which goes towards seeds and plants.. I'm not going to spend money to buy soil amendments.. just horse manure and leaves from the yard.