Time for halts!

MeanDean · #1 03/04/07, 06:00 PM

So how many of you other zone 7/8'rs (7b for me) are getting busy with putting halts down?!

Ugh, I'm sore - well probably from doing seedlings today - but halts yesterday.

Windy in Kansas · #2 03/04/07, 06:17 PM

I haven't actually used Scott's Halts or another crabgrass preventer.
However I did spray last fall for broadleaf control of nasty weeds such as henbit, spurge, chickweed, puncturevine and dandilions. Do I get points for that?

Jenn · #3 03/04/07, 07:05 PM

What are halts? Some nasty poison?

When should we seed/overseed lawns?

MeanDean · #4 03/04/07, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenn

What are halts? Some nasty poison?

When should we seed/overseed lawns?

Halts is a preemergent herbicide product otherwise known as pendimethalin. It is either found in some commercial/seasonal fertilzers such as Scotts' ... or can be purchased by themselves in granules.

You spread them on your lawn before the crabgrass and/or other viny hard-to-kill weeds/grasses begin to propogate for the spring.

Not doing it now means having to contain the growth of such annoyances as spurge and crabgrass regularly - if that's the case, I personally have enjoyed success with Gordon's LawnCare Weed Control. Mind you, the Trimec product is for northern grasses such as fescue - you can kill your centipede or other southern grasses pretty quick with this stuff.

When to overseed - spring is okay depending on one's climate - but FALL is the best time; especially the further south one goes.

Here is some more info on the toxicity of pendimethalin.

MeanDean · #5 03/04/07, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

I haven't actually used Scott's Halts or another crabgrass preventer.
However I did spray last fall for broadleaf control of nasty weeds such as henbit, spurge, chickweed, puncturevine and dandilions. Do I get points for that?

Depends on whether or not you have an out-of-control weed problem in a month or so ...

... where I'm at right now, wouldn't help. Not until I get this fescue I put in to control a serious erosion issue high and tight (afterwhich, it basically squeezes out any stuff trying to overtake it's turf).

MELOC · #6 03/04/07, 09:14 PM

bwahahahaha...pretty lawns.

Bearfootfarm · #7 03/04/07, 10:21 PM

Crabgrass is only a "weed" if you dont want it. Its perfect for pastures

Spinner · #8 03/04/07, 10:58 PM

I don't put anything on my grass, it would not be good for the animals that eat it.

MeanDean · #9 03/05/07, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MELOC

bwahahahaha...pretty lawns.

Actually thick fescue which keeps my hillsides from eroding.

Once established - and that doesn't take too long - there's nothing like it to hold otherwise awash ground in an effective and attractive way.

Or perhaps I've stumbled onto some snobbery where "Gardening & Plant Propagation" is only of "real" homesteaders?

Tricky Grama · #10 03/05/07, 08:52 AM

I don't use poison, I spread corn gluten meal every Feb & Sept as a pre-emergent.

Patty

MELOC · #11 03/05/07, 10:29 AM

geesh...i've been called many things, but this is the first time for "snob". perhaps if i had written it in latin, you would have caught the humor. really, i would consider sprucing up the front lawn, but i haven't been able to move that broken down rambler for many years now.

MaineFarmMom · #12 03/05/07, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MELOC

geesh...i've been called many things, but this is the first time for "snob". perhaps if i had written it in latin, you would have caught the humor. really, i would consider sprucing up the front lawn, but i haven't been able to move that broken down rambler for many years now.

There's a link to a snob test in a couple of the forums. You could take it and find out for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeanDean

Or perhaps I've stumbled onto some snobbery where "Gardening & Plant Propagation" is only of "real" homesteaders?

You have to remember, Dean, some of us mow our laws with critters that fertilize at the same time. Some of us are snobs about synthetic chemicals. You wouldn't want to feed that stuff to your lawn mower, especially if you're going to eat the lawn mower later. I have a beautifully green lawn. Some nice green grass, a lot of weeds, some moss under the maples...

Careful while you're here. There's a tendency to be passive aggressive and self rightous. We don't always play well together but we aren't leaving bruises or anything.

Pony · #13 03/05/07, 11:23 AM

We tend to do what we can to make the rye/fescue healthier, rather than use the chemicals. But then, we love the dandelions for salad and, later, for jelly and wine. We are careful to get the dandelions before they go to seed, because our neighbors are not as happy with the little yellow sunshines as we.

And yeah, maybe I'm a snob, because I think that lawns are kind of a waste of potential gardening space...

Pony!

MeanDean · #14 03/05/07, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaineFarmMom

Some of us are snobs about synthetic chemicals. You wouldn't want to feed that stuff to your lawn mower, especially if you're going to eat the lawn mower later. I have a beautifully green lawn. Some nice green grass, a lot of weeds, some moss under the maples...

So I gather ... though if I'm aware of that and think that's fine if one has the land and ability to do so. Moreover, would be more than glad to give an organic route a try - for example to pre-emergent weeds - if provided.

Me, not zoned for livestock so a bit of a problemo letting the "kids" do all the work :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaineFarmMom

Careful while you're here. There's a tendency to be passive aggressive and self rightous. We don't always play well together but we aren't leaving bruises or anything.

Sheesh - I can get that in GC - why would I want it here when I'm talking about getting dirt under one's fingernails and enjoying the green?

MeanDean · #15 03/05/07, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

And yeah, maybe I'm a snob, because I think that lawns are kind of a waste of potential gardening space...

My lawn stands guard for my garden

tallpines · #16 03/05/07, 12:14 PM

My goodness! :baby04:

I very seldom get any problems with bashing here on my nice quiet Garden Forum!

Who knew?

I never would have thought that it would be Mean Dean who would try to stir a pot by alluding to "some snobbery where "Gardening & Plant Propagation" is only of "real" homesteaders".

Pony · #17 03/05/07, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallpines

My goodness! :baby04:

I very seldom get any problems with bashing here on my nice quiet Garden Forum!

Who knew?

I never would have thought that it would be Mean Dean who would try to stir a pot by alluding to "some snobbery where "Gardening & Plant Propagation" is only of "real" homesteaders".

I think maybe someone should send Mean Dean out to the potting shed for the manure fork, and make him turn the compost if he wants to stir something up.

J/K, Dean!

Pony!

MeanDean · #18 03/05/07, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallpines

My goodness! :baby04:

I very seldom get any problems with bashing here on my nice quiet Garden Forum!

Who knew?

I never would have thought that it would be Mean Dean who would try to stir a pot by alluding to "some snobbery where "Gardening & Plant Propagation" is only of "real" homesteaders".

Yeah - amazing isn't it?! I come in here with some talk about pre-emergent crabgrass control and get an earful about how bad I am for my pretty lawn.

Can only imagine what happens to others who'd stumble in looking to discuss similar situation - guess they too would get saddled with stirring the pot from some of the manure hurled at their shed?

MeanDean · #19 03/05/07, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricky Grama

I don't use poison, I spread corn gluten meal every Feb & Sept as a pre-emergent.

Patty

Aside from all the hubris - this is interesting. I've not heard of this remedy.

Tell me more (though I did use your keywords to find THIS interesting article on corn gluten meal as a natrual pre-emergent remedy).

UPDATE: oooh, I can even Buy it Online

Definately want to give a small sample a try on a portion of the property - because if it works, I'm going gluten!

Tricky Grama · #20 03/05/07, 05:09 PM

It's kinda tricky, you have to get it on the lawn b/4 the weeds germinate. Otherwise, it's a good fertilizer. So that would depend on your zone, I guess.

You can get the 'Corn Gluten Meal' in feed stores, I don't think Home Depot has it, most places. Spread it at 50lbs per 5,000 sq ft or there abouts.

www.dirtdoctor.com has a wealth of info on organics.

Patty