Time for halts!

i have heard of another strategy that i actually tried and had no real success. leave the lawn grow to between 4-6 inches all of the time and it is supposed to smother out the broadleaf plants.

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this message has probably been edited to correct typos, spelling errors and to improve grammar...

"All that is gold does not glitter..."

MeanDean - I'm with you! I like a nice green lawn of grass, not weeds. As soon as the 3' deep snowpack melts I'll be able to put the Halts down! Maybe next month!

And Jenn - don't put down any weed killer if you want to put overseed. Go the the Scott's website for info on when to seed in your area.

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I think Jenn may have mistaken my mention of planting seedlings with seeding?

If not - my bad - but yeah, aside from overseeding in the fall, definately don't want to do it concurrently while wacking pre-emergent weeds; with corn meal gluten or otherwise (I really LIKE that idea).

Speaking of snowpack melting - when I lived a bit further north - I used to apply a light amount urea atop the snow once it got down to about 1 inch or less in height. That way it would not wash away, but soak into the ground w/out burning the grass and/or killing bulbs in the garden - BUT ONLY IF the sun is slowly melting the snow (rather than a hard rain).

Really created some spectacular spring results for me (your mileage may vary).

BTW, urea ain't bad for getting ice off driveways either (temp has to be above 15 degrees).

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Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

I'm thinking I probably needed this info for Feb in my zone (and am bummed out as I'm excited about the prospect of this organic approach) - but will definately give it a try in the fall (especially as the worse that can happen is to fertilize my erosion control fescue).

I'll call about to some local feed stores - might want to give a sample a wack anyway and see what it does to the spurge (which starts a tad bit later than the crabgrass).

thanks again.

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Can I donate my Bermuda Grass to someone? anyone? Thats the worse curse for gardeners ever invented! Anyone on here knows how bad I hate it! I know, they have a chemical especially for it, i finally resorted to using it--said spray 3 times at intervals--I did--its still there--

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Ceresone-

I feel your pain about the bermuda. You could try strong vinegar-20%-& spray it when it's NOT windy but do it when it's HOT. IF that ever happens, again. Be careful w/vinegar that strong & DON'T inhale it. Works on nearly all weeds w/o poison.

Patty

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MeanDean-

Really gald to hear you are enthused about organic stuff-do you not want to tell us what zone you're in or even what state? If you are not too far south, I think you could do the CGM now.

Patty

PS-if you REALLY want to get your lawn going good & bring back the beneficial microorganisms, spread 50 lbs of dry molasses too!

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I can confirm that - on last property wacked some errant zoysia with some distilled vinegar. When dead, I cut lengths and rolled the bad sod away, replacing it with new fescue only sod.

I'm definately a dry 7b - and yes, I'd prefer an organic route provided it gets the job done. Less worries and often less cost.

As for beneficial microorganisms, I heard beer + baby shampoo got that job done (on the lawn, not me).

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You should be ok to put down corn gluten meal now - 2 new companies are marketing it this year - Espoma and Preen. The Preen is expensive ($15 for 5lbs) and comes in a plastic tub, but Espoma is going about $13 for a 25lb bag locally.

Got preen for the garden - and it works!

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I'm sorry MDean, I re-read your OP & see that you are in 7b. I think you shoud go for it!! Do the CGM now! Feed stores will order it for you-if they act like they don't know what you're talking about, educate them!

Patty

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Where do you get the strong vinegar? I have some Mugwort that is trying to take over some areas. I will give this a try.

Peace - Cathryn

ps - Ace hardware has a corn gluten product also. I already had mine so I didn't look closely, but I was glad to see it for sale locally. I have been buying mine online for years.

Some people get the pickling vinegar at the grocery store but I think it's just 10%. I saw 20% at the feed store I go to but that's in N.TX.

Patty

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Bit of a ride for vinegar, though I hear it's nice there. I've got an Aunt who winters in San Antonio. We hope to get out there some day.

I'll take a look around here @ the feed store for the strong stuff and see if I can put a dent in the nasty stuff I have.

Thanks - Cathryn

I figure the weeds are just as green as the grass -- and from a distance, who can tell the difference?

It helps to have bad eyesight. Think Claude Monet.

When we lived in the 'burbs we cared a lot more about the grass -- well, DH did. Nowadays we're just doing well to get it all cut reasonably often.

For the garden...chemicals? No way! Well, not for weeds. Bugs, maybe, if I have to. but I haven't yet, except some pyrethrins for flea beetles, which didn't help. I prefer mulch.

The difference for me isn't just the green - I'm trying to mitigate a soil erosion problem. The denser I can get the fescue, the less I have to perform _any_ weeding as it eventually defends itself by sheer population, and the deeper each of the many blades can dig into the soil its been assigned to save.

As for bugs - good question. I've heard various soap v. pepper arguments. I'd be interested in hearing some other natural solutions discussed here.

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I like Neem and floating row covers for flea bettles. Flea beetles over winter in the soil and will come up under the cover. You can trap them under the cover so it should be checked a couple of times a day.

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Robin

I'll be asking about those darn flea beetles because I've found that without some serious help, growing eggplant is impossible.

For bugs I spray soapy H2O, gets spider mites & 'easy' bugs.

For badder ones, I spray a mix of 2 garlic bulbs, 2 habanero or cayenne peppers, 1 oz seaweed, 1 oz liq molasses blended in maybe a cup of H2O. Then add enuf H2O to make a gallon. If you add a little soap to this it works even better.

Patty

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Seasonal application bump - Is it that time of year again already?!

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