griteater Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Mack and Powerstroke, I didn't realize that pre-emergent was used for broadleaf weeds. Can you get that kind at Lowes or does it have to be at a specialty lawn shop? I.e. Is it part of std pre-emergent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerel_sky Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 10 hours ago, griteater said: Mack and Powerstroke, I didn't realize that pre-emergent was used for broadleaf weeds. Can you get that kind at Lowes or does it have to be at a specialty lawn shop? I.e. Is it part of std pre-emergent? That's probably pretty specialized, might have to go to like a feed and seed type of store, where they sell heavier duty agricultural stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frazdaddy Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 12 hours ago, griteater said: Cold Rain, I agree with the Pack's and Mack's of the forum, but one thing - is the spot near big trees? Turf and weeds will really struggle under the umbrella/near big trees. The trees seem to suck up not only the majority of the groundwater, but my own theory is that they suck up all of the nutrients as well. You might consider just mulching it if possible. Big trees and grass simply don't mix. This is crazy, don't we have some warm noses to analyze? I read somewhere that a large Oak tree can remove 300+ gallons of water a day from the surrounding soil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerel_sky Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 30 minutes ago, frazdaddy said: I read somewhere that a large Oak tree can remove several hundred gallons of water a day from the surrounding soil. Yeah, could have been a walnut tree there at some point?? So much acid in the nuts, nothing can grow under walnut trees! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frazdaddy Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 21 minutes ago, mackerel_sky said: Yeah, could have been a walnut tree there at some point?? So much acid in the nuts, nothing can grow under walnut trees! I have had those spots. I usually remove all the dirt to 8 inches of depth and replace with suitable topsoil with a known PH. I once found a 4x8 sheet of OSB 6 inches below the surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Rain Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 15 hours ago, griteater said: Cold Rain, I agree with the Pack's and Mack's of the forum, but one thing - is the spot near big trees? Turf and weeds will really struggle under the umbrella/near big trees. The trees seem to suck up not only the majority of the groundwater, but my own theory is that they suck up all of the nutrients as well. You might consider just mulching it if possible. Big trees and grass simply don't mix. This is crazy, don't we have some warm noses to analyze? Both of the big areas of dirt are near or between trees. That said, I have plenty of other adjacent areas in a similar situation to trees (and even the same trees), where weeds and grass grow. I will throw down some compost and top soil and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FallsLake Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 30 minutes ago, Cold Rain said: Both of the big areas of dirt are near or between trees. That said, I have plenty of other adjacent areas in a similar situation to trees (and even the same trees), where weeds and grass grow. I will throw down some compost and top soil and see what happens. Years back, the state threw out Bermuda grass seed along the right-of-way of my house. It has since spread over a majority of my yard. I love it. It's drought tolerant and doesn't grow that high. Most importantly, it grows everywhere. No more bare spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerel_sky Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 34 minutes ago, Cold Rain said: Both of the big areas of dirt are near or between trees. That said, I have plenty of other adjacent areas in a similar situation to trees (and even the same trees), where weeds and grass grow. I will throw down some compost and top soil and see what happens. Plant a crape myrtle or a nice juniper in the center , and mulch the rest of the circle! Those are the 2 toughest trees that popped in my head! You can find crape myrtle , from 3'-40' tall and just about any color flower! I promise you there are some cool junipers, but I bet you plant a blue rug juniper there, and it will thrive! You could plant those in cement , and they would grow! These need full bright sun for atleast six hours, so if the other trees are blocking the sun, you need a plan B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerel_sky Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 2 minutes ago, FallsLake said: Years back, the state threw out Bermuda grass seed along the right-of-way of my house. It has since spread over a majority of my yard. I love it. It's drought tolerant and doesn't grow that high. Most importantly, it grows everywhere. No more bare spots. Yep, spread by stolons and will take over fescue and bluegrass, in a heart beat! And loves heat! RAH and surrounding areas, use to be in an area where fescue would do well, but given the last few years, with our very warm winters, RAH has a zone 9 climate now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FallsLake Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 15 minutes ago, mackerel_sky said: Yep, spread by stolons and will take over fescue and bluegrass, in a heart beat! And loves heat! RAH and surrounding areas, use to be in an area where fescue would do well, but given the last few years, with our very warm winters, RAH has a zone 9 climate now! Just waiting for the fire ants to become more established. I know they're already in this area but currently have a hard time surviving the winters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Rain Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 16 hours ago, griteater said: Cold Rain, I agree with the Pack's and Mack's of the forum, but one thing - is the spot near big trees? Turf and weeds will really struggle under the umbrella/near big trees. The trees seem to suck up not only the majority of the groundwater, but my own theory is that they suck up all of the nutrients as well. You might consider just mulching it if possible. Big trees and grass simply don't mix. This is crazy, don't we have some warm noses to analyze? Yes! It is stupid that this is the only active thread on February 14. Just depressing. Or as Pack would say, solid B+! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold Rain Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Yeah, I need someone to come in and seed the whole yard with Bermuda. I have a couple of crepe myrtles. The Junipers wouldn't do well, as these spots don't get a lot of sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frazdaddy Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 31 minutes ago, mackerel_sky said: Plant a crape myrtle or a nice juniper in the center , and mulch the rest of the circle! Those are the 2 toughest trees that popped in my head! You can find crape myrtle , from 3'-40' tall and just about any color flower! I promise you there are some cool junipers, but I bet you plant a blue rug juniper there, and it will thrive! You could plant those in cement , and they would grow! These need full bright sun for atleast six hours, so if the other trees are blocking the sun, you need a plan B Just did an area this way with a black Crepe Myrtle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerel_sky Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 17 minutes ago, FallsLake said: Just waiting for the fire ants to become more established. I know they're already in this area but currently have a hard time surviving the winters. Those things are the scourge of the earth! They've been here atleast 15 years! Discovered them the hard way when I first bought our house! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerel_sky Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 15 minutes ago, frazdaddy said: Just did an area this way with a black Crepe Myrtle. Those things look awesome! Just bought one (dormant) can't wait to see the dark leaves and see if they hold the dark color in heat/humidity! Bought one called "Burgandy Cotton" with white flowers years ago, it's almost all green leaves by July Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FallsLake Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 5 minutes ago, mackerel_sky said: Those things are the scourge of the earth! They've been here atleast 15 years! Discovered them the hard way when I first bought our house! I've had them off and on for the last five years. I haven't done much to stop them, but I'll see a mound one year and then the next it's gone. Again I'm not sure if the winters are killing them off or the red clay soil I have (or combination of both). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerel_sky Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 7 minutes ago, FallsLake said: I've had them off and on for the last five years. I haven't done much to stop them, but I'll see a mound one year and then the next it's gone. Again I'm not sure if the winters are killing them off or the red clay soil I have (or combination of both). It's the cold , the red clay doesn't slow them down a bit!! They get sneaky sometimes and make mounds in mulch or in containers and you can see the mounds as easily! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jburns Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I have one mound of fire ants. I keep it for a reason. Every morning I go outside naked and roll around on the mound to prepare myself for moderating in the political forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerel_sky Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 13 minutes ago, jburns said: I have one mound of fire ants. I keep it for a reason. Every morning I go outside naked and roll around on the mound to prepare myself for moderating in the political forum. I thought you needed the bites for the swellings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frazdaddy Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 1 hour ago, mackerel_sky said: Those things look awesome! Just bought one (dormant) can't wait to see the dark leaves and see if they hold the dark color in heat/humidity! Bought one called "Burgandy Cotton" with white flowers years ago, it's almost all green leaves by July Same here State red blooms. Can't wait to see them over the black leaves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frazdaddy Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 55 minutes ago, jburns said: I have one mound of fire ants. I keep it for a reason. Every morning I go outside naked and roll around on the mound to prepare myself for moderating in the political forum. Not sure that's adequate prep, the ants are more reasonable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griteater Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 3 hours ago, Cold Rain said: Yeah, I need someone to come in and seed the whole yard with Bermuda. Bermuda is easy to grow and loves heat, but it will not grow in shady areas...it requires full or mostly full sun. Bermuda is the #1 enemy in fescue lawns. As they saying goes, the only way to get rid of bermuda is to move (as in move to another house). You can put roundup on it, and it will still come back. Maybe Powerstroke has something for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griteater Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Stepped in a fire ant mound as a kid in the late 70's beside a farm pond in south Georgia...that didn't end well...lesson learned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerel_sky Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 48 minutes ago, griteater said: Bermuda is easy to grow and loves heat, but it will not grow in shady areas...it requires full or mostly full sun. Bermuda is the #1 enemy in fescue lawns. As they saying goes, the only way to get rid of bermuda is to move (as in move to another house). You can put roundup on it, and it will still come back. Maybe Powerstroke has something for it. Also,CR, Bermuda sod is a quicker way! I've taken patches out of my yard, when digging a bed or etc, and dug out a little bare spot somewhere else, plant it even, like patching carpet, keep it wet for a week or two, and takes off from there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No snow for you Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 23 hours ago, jburns said: I have one mound of fire ants. I keep it for a reason. Every morning I go outside naked and roll around on the mound to prepare myself for moderating in the political forum. Why. PR is such a great and friendly place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No snow for you Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 19 hours ago, mackerel_sky said: Also,CR, Bermuda sod is a quicker way! I've taken patches out of my yard, when digging a bed or etc, and dug out a little bare spot somewhere else, plant it even, like patching carpet, keep it wet for a week or two, and takes off from there! I have Emerald Zoysia in my backyard and love it. Very drought tolerant and fills in any gaps and chokes out weeds. Only problem is it sends out runners so it can get in your beds pretty quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POWERSTROKE Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 On 2/13/2017 at 10:15 AM, mackerel_sky said: Don't know why nothing will grow, just might be really poor dirt. I'd put down 2 bags of mushroom compost and take it/ mix it with the top two or three inches of dirt , over the whole area of each bad spot, should help atleast get some weeds going! What kind of grass is your yard!? Take a soil sample and see what it shows. The soil looks weak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POWERSTROKE Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 On 2/13/2017 at 6:56 PM, griteater said: Mack and Powerstroke, I didn't realize that pre-emergent was used for broadleaf weeds. Can you get that kind at Lowes or does it have to be at a specialty lawn shop? I.e. Is it part of std pre-emergent? Sorry I haven't been on here. We use dimension and barricade and they are found at Site One. I recommend the split app which is one now and another in April. There are an abundance of weeds already growing due to the warm winter but should eliminate others if you spray and pre emerge now. www.sharpedgelawncare.com or fb sharp edge lawncare & Management Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
POWERSTROKE Posted February 15, 2017 Share Posted February 15, 2017 On 2/12/2017 at 9:19 AM, No snow for you said: I put mine out a week ago. Maybe getting close to too late bc we are having spring in February We start on Feb 1st so you are fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackerel_sky Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 Red buds will be in bloom by end of next week! Forsythias , in full bloom now! Just crazy! Looking forward to the Godzilla / Fartman super El Niño next winter!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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