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7th Annual New England Lawn Thread

CoastalWx

By CoastalWx,
in New England

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CoastalWx

CoastalWx

Posted
Posted

I know it's early, but I have a few questions and it's getting to that time of year, no matter what the weather has in mind for us.

 

 

1) Does anybody have rain barrels?

 

2) I have these annoying little clovers that did not die over the winter. Do I have to kill them now, or can I wait? I also want to put seed down where the clovers are, so my guess is waiting?

 

 

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Baroclinic Zone

Baroclinic Zone

Posted
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Post a picture of the "clover".

Rain barrels are nice if you're looking to capture some runoff. Nothing too elaborate about them. Just divert off your downspout into the barrel.

http://www.plowhearth.com/stand-for-rain-wizard-water-conservation-barrel.htm?aff=6443&CAWELAID=884082716&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=530007710000069784&cadevice=t&gclid=Cj0KEQiA0sq2BRDRt6Scrqj71vQBEiQAg5bj09JPsiPog3Dm_O7vD9WlKvGzjL9lwZrKpITd5lX0KooaAurB8P8HAQ

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eekuasepinniW

eekuasepinniW

Posted
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They do when you get charged for sewer.

Not unless you can get free or near-free barrels, or preferably underground storage tanks.

 

The math just doesn't work out any other way. Assuming your water/sewer rate is similar to mine, a typical 50 gallon barrel holds 41 cents worth of water. Looking at the prices of them on Home Depot's website, you're looking at 200-350 full tanks before it pays for itself.  Assuming it consistently rains enough for you get two full tanks each week (thus eliminating the need to water in the first place) over a roughly 12 week possible watering season, we're looking at an 8-15 year return period on something that will probably leak long before then unless it's steel.

 

What are you going to water?  It's fine for watering a few planters, but if you're talking lawn, you'll need a TON of barrels.  Fifty gallons is good for like 80 square feet at 1" of water, IIRC.

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backedgeapproaching

backedgeapproaching

Posted
Posted

I'm sick of looking at our awlful lawn. Wanted to overseed last fall, but didn't rain enough. Thinking of doing it this spring. I know weeds tend to compete, but I'm really sick of looking at the garbage we call a lawn and really don't want to wait till fall. Is it too risky to overseed in spring?

 

 

 I would just do it in the fall.  You honestly could start in early mid-Aug since you are so far North.  Like you said, get some loam down and overseed into you existing grass.  You may want seed blankets (Lowes/HD has them I think) for the really hilly/steep parts so you don't get wash out.  Also use some peat moss if you can also to help with washouts/moisture control.

 

The absolute most important thing is to keep the seeds moist until they sprout, no question about it.  They have to stay moist.  That is where the Peat can help a lot.

 

.23 acre doesn't seem to big to me, but everyone is different.  I renovated .75 all at once at my old place with no irrigation.  All sprinklers---I had hoses and sprinklers everywhere.

 

But Fall is far and away the best time to plant grass seed. No question. Plant in Spring you may be asking for trouble--competing with weeds, if summer is hot/dry you need to water ALOT through the whole summer to get it established and survive.

 

 

Same answer I gave you last year :)

 

Obviously the fall seeding didn't happen.  Spring seeding has a better chance for you than say someone in DC.  Fall is optimal, but its not impossible to get good results from spring seeding.

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dendrite

dendrite

Posted
Posted

How can there be ticks around now after the -20 degree temps 2 weeks ago? A couple my daughters friends pulled ticks off their clothes this weekend. Are they impenetrable to cold?

I saw mosquitoes on the first 50+ day after the cold shot. As soon as the snow is gone and the cold is outta here the insects are out.
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S&P

S&P

Posted
Posted

I know it's early, but I have a few questions and it's getting to that time of year, no matter what the weather has in mind for us.

 

 

1) Does anybody have rain barrels?

 

2) I have these annoying little clovers that did not die over the winter. Do I have to kill them now, or can I wait? I also want to put seed down where the clovers are, so my guess is waiting?

regarding rain barrels, you might want to check with your local recovery agency or town, my town offers them and compost barrels at a discount

 

regarding clover or other, I would kill it now (or soon) so you can seed when appropriate. lowes/HD have stuff like weed b gon that you can spray on and not damage the grass. its pretty mild though and depending on how pervasive the clover is you may have to apply more than once (takes a couple of weeks to see results). there are other topical solutions you can apply that don't damage your lawn that you can get on line that are more effective. the turf guy who posted on here a couple of years ago dropped some links in an old lawn thread. of course there is also good old fashioned elbow grease , get out there and rip it out roots and all by hand.

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CoastalWx

CoastalWx

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Not unless you can get free or near-free barrels, or preferably underground storage tanks.

The math just doesn't work out any other way. Assuming your water/sewer rate is similar to mine, a typical 50 gallon barrel holds 41 cents worth of water. Looking at the prices of them on Home Depot's website, you're looking at 200-350 full tanks before it pays for itself. Assuming it consistently rains enough for you get two full tanks each week (thus eliminating the need to water in the first place) over a roughly 12 week possible watering season, we're looking at an 8-15 year return period on something that will probably leak long before then unless it's steel.

What are you going to water? It's fine for watering a few planters, but if you're talking lawn, you'll need a TON of barrels. Fifty gallons is good for like 80 square feet at 1" of water, IIRC.

It was mostly for plants. I was going to make one myself, not spend 100 bucks on one. My water rates are sky high.

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JC-CT

JC-CT

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Posted

I'd go mesotrione first if you want to reseed concurrently, triclopyr second if you can wait a couple weeks before reseeding (which you should - a freeze will effectively reset the germination process). A general broadleaf with 24d and dicamba is going to prevent new grass germination for about six weeks.

I'd go with the triclopyr now on a nice morning, rake it up in a few weeks and use Scott's starter fertilizer plus weed control around the start of April, hit it again with the starter fertilizer with weed control in 4 weeks, then use dimension in another 4-6 weeks. Just don't drink the water.

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WhiteLawns

WhiteLawns

Posted
Posted

I know it's early, but I have a few questions and it's getting to that time of year, no matter what the weather has in mind for us.

 

 

1) Does anybody have rain barrels?

 

2) I have these annoying little clovers that did not die over the winter. Do I have to kill them now, or can I wait? I also want to put seed down where the clovers are, so my guess is waiting?

http://www.ortho.com/smg/goprod/ortho-weed-b-gon-max-weed-killer-for-lawns/prod70206?&

works wonders for clovers and such.

As for the seeding I would wait a while.

Man I'm gonna love this thread.

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