The infamous SNE lawn thread

[Logan11]

Regarding the chemicals on lawns, never mind the critters.... I'd be a little worried about that because it could get into the well water. I dunno if Kevin has a well, but you never know what is going to make it down there. I just figure use that kind of stuff in extreme moderation only if needed.

I take the same attitude to popping pills, antibiotics etc. Only if I really need it.....

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]

If you think about it the reason grass is a heavy N feeder like corn is that corn is also in the grass family. They both require lots of leafy growth which requires nitrogen. Corn's just a huge glorified grass.

[Ginx snewx]

If you think about it the reason grass is a heavy N feeder like corn is that corn is also in the grass family. They both require lots of leafy growth which requires nitrogen. Corn's just a huge glorified grass.

I interned with USDA teaching farmers how to reduce the chicken manure they put on fields, nitrogen, to reduce nitrates which are oxygen depleters in water. Excessive nitrogen is a huge watershed issue, over fertilizing has a deleterious effect on all of us indirectly, and I am not a hippy just an Env Science Grad.

[HIPPYVALLEY]

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.

First thing to do if you are going green is to get the soil tested. Umass extension program is quick and easy.

http://www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest/

It's always best to figure out what you don't need first.

Beyond that there are many organic options for fertilizing that are widely available and generally not more expensive. I've found that local independent farm and garden suppliers are more likely to have them than the big box stores.

Some good reading:

http://www.organiclawncare101.com/

http://www.extremelygreen.com/lawncareguide.cfm

[HoarfrostHubb]

I interned with USDA teaching farmers how to reduce the chicken manure they put on fields, nitrogen, to reduce nitrates which are oxygen depleters in water. Excessive nitrogen is a huge watershed issue, over fertilizing has a deleterious effect on all of us indirectly, and I am not a hippy just an Env Science Grad.

UML

[HIPPYVALLEY]

My experience is much more towards vegetable gardening than lawn care but as far as the above questions about compost teas the most gentle and effective are the teas made from worm castings.

Home worm bins are a cinch to set up and I would be happy to give all the instructions for making your own worm composting bin and how to get started if anyone is interested.

[Mr Torchey]

I did an experiment this winter also, everytime i cleaned out the fireplace i saved the ash, when the snow melted in earl march i began dumping it and raking it out in the back yard, wonderful results, just another way to nourish your lawn.

Steve is a mega hippie, I drove by mohegan the other day and saw him playing hackie sack.....not a bad player!

[Ginx snewx]

I did an experiment this winter also, everytime i cleaned out the fireplace i saved the ash, when the snow melted in earl march i began dumping it and raking it out in the back yard, wonderful results, just another way to nourish your lawn.

Steve is a mega hippie, I drove by mohegan the other day and saw him playing hackie sack.....not a bad player!

On the Quad with my cutoff jeans, Stones Tee Shirt, converse sneakers no socks, hair all the way down my back circa 1975

[moneypitmike]

Regarding the chemicals on lawns, never mind the critters.... I'd be a little worried about that because it could get into the well water. I dunno if Kevin has a well, but you never know what is going to make it down there. I just figure use that kind of stuff in extreme moderation only if needed.

I take the same attitude to popping pills, antibiotics etc. Only if I really need it.....

Anything I have going down is put down hill from the well area. Result is that the front of the house isn't as green as it might otherwise be, but it's heavily shaded anyway. But, things are greening a lot today. Amazing what 24 hours and some rain can do.

Feels like fall out; 58.3/37 with a wnw wind getting into the mid-teens.

[Ginx snewx]

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.

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[HoarfrostHubb]

I did an experiment this winter also, everytime i cleaned out the fireplace i saved the ash, when the snow melted in earl march i began dumping it and raking it out in the back yard, wonderful results, just another way to nourish your lawn.

Steve is a mega hippie, I drove by mohegan the other day and saw him playing hackie sack.....not a bad player!

My dad was a big fan of ashes from our woodstove for the garden. He kept a pretty good garden... I don't have the knack yet

[Damage In Tolland]

4 munks and 1 mouse so far

[moneypitmike]

My dad was a big fan of ashes from our woodstove for the garden. He kept a pretty good garden... I don't have the knack yet

I'd be more apt to dump it on the grass if it didn't make the snow look so crappy. Instead, I get a season's worth of 24/7 fire heaped in a pile behind the shed. Must be pretty fertile back there.

57.6/38

[moneypitmike]

4 munks and 1 mouse so far

Lelt me know when you've perfected a way to get rid of moles.

[Mr Torchey]

4 munks and 1 mouse so far

Nice! I got the trifecta this morning in the house, 3 old school mousetraps set with jiffy extra crunchy peanut butter, 3 dead mice.

[Damage In Tolland]

Lelt me know when you've perfected a way to get rid of moles.

It's hard to believe after getting 67 munks last year there's still more destruction in the yard and beds.

These things are just ruthless beasts.

I'm telling you..buy that mole poison I told Hunchback about yesterday. It looks like popcorn kernals.

Pour little piles into various areas of the tunnels and then cover with dirt

But don't stamp down the tunnels

[moneypitmike]

It's hard to believe after getting 67 munks last year there's still more destruction in the yard and beds.

These things are just ruthless beasts.

I'm telling you..buy that mole poison I told Hunchback about yesterday. It looks like popcorn kernals.

Pour little piles into various areas of the tunnels and then cover with dirt

But don't stamp down the tunnels

I missed the mole poison pellet post. Are you feeding them Scott's Plus fertilizer?

57.0/37

[wokeupthisam]

Just an amazing difference this spring vs last. I dug out two pics I took on 4/14/10 around 5-6pm, and took two more today 4/14/11 around 5pm:

Front yard 2010:

Front yard 2011:

Back yard 2010:

Back yard 2011:

Check out the difference in leaf production in the backgrounds, besides the obvious lawn (already had mowed a couple of times a year ago today. Wild.

[Ginx snewx]

Just an amazing difference this spring vs last. I dug out two pics I took on 4/14/10 around 5-6pm, and took two more today 4/14/11 around 5pm:

Front yard 2010:

Front yard 2011:

Back yard 2010:

Back yard 2011:

Check out the difference in leaf production in the backgrounds, besides the obvious lawn (already had mowed a couple of times a year ago today. Wild.

Best example yet of what I have been saying, this spring has lagged everywhere.

[HoarfrostHubb]

And both of those are way ahead of what I am seeing here...

[HoarfrostHubb]

Lelt me know when you've perfected a way to get rid of moles.

Insane moles here this spring.

I wonder if last fall's acorn bounty somehow impacts them... I don't think moles eat acorns.

Saw a moose tonight!!!

[Clinch Leatherwood]

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

Many lurk only because of the nonsense and I don't need to drop names like you always do to make that point.

You're supposedly a very good guy, time to end the instigation and take the high road.

[Clinch Leatherwood]

Best example yet of what I have been saying, this spring has lagged everywhere.

Yep awesome photos and the same here. My lawn is 2 weeks behind last year minimum.

[BowMeHunter]

Many lurk only because of the nonsense and I don't need to drop names like you always do to make that point.

You're supposedly a very good guy, time to end the instigation and take the high road.

The clown is a salesman.. You expect anything more from that special breed of human?

[free_man]

[Damage In Tolland]

Just an amazing difference this spring vs last. I dug out two pics I took on 4/14/10 around 5-6pm, and took two more today 4/14/11 around 5pm:

Front yard 2010:

Front yard 2011:

Back yard 2010:

Back yard 2011:

Check out the difference in leaf production in the backgrounds, besides the obvious lawn (already had mowed a couple of times a year ago today. Wild.

Nice looking lawn there last year. Give it about 2 more weeks and we'll be out there barefoot and mowing and enjoying it

[Damage In Tolland]

Many lurk only because of the nonsense and I don't need to drop names like you always do to make that point.

You're supposedly a very good guy, time to end the instigation and take the high road.

[Damage In Tolland]

Biting the bullet and having the 2 pronged Oak cut down today that hangs over the deck and has tormented me for yrs. Forces me to powerwash(which I'm doing tomorrow) and stain the deck every year..because it leaves that black, moldy residue all over everything.

I was hoping MRG would be a goo friend and come down and help..but that didn;t happen..so have to fork over 650 bucks to have someone come and do it today

[HoarfrostHubb]

Do you get to keep the wood?

(do not know if you have a stove)

Daffodils finally blooming here

[Damage In Tolland]

Do you get to keep the wood?

(do not know if you have a stove)

Daffodils finally blooming here

I have a fireplace..but we rarely use it..I'm giving them the wood