OT: Eternal Lawn Care Thread

[DHajekRC84]

Don't get me started on my neighbors! Can I call in an agent orange drop on a residential property?
You may recall I had used the Scott's drop spreader for my initial fertilizer application, and despite checking the calibration, I only applied half the product for my square footage, which I am 99% sure is correct to the 10th decimal point. Happy with the Jonathan Green product so far. Where I did not drop the fertilizer in a transition area from lawn to woods in back yard, I did notice dandelions have sprouted up. I went with the Ortho and spot sprayed the area 20 feet beyond the lawn. When I have more time, I may seed more towards the woods, but that would mean more to cut!
While his had been dry, the lawn seems very happy with all the rain. Deep green and a lot fewer weeds than in past years.

Ha. Just have Greenlawn come and service their property.

 

[Knight Shift]

Ha. Just have Greenlawn come and service their property.

If Greenlawn is a trademark, you can tell them to cancel their mark for being deceptively misdescriptive.

https://bitlaw.com/source/tmep/1209_04.html

 

[Joey Bags]

Is there a reason why lawncare companies are so horrible? I’m not sure of another contract-based service for a private home that is as bad across the board. And it’s a shame, I’m about to have two children under 2 and would gladly pay a premium for quality work as I simply won’t have the time to maintain 1.3 acres for the next few years.

 

[Knight Shift]

Is there a reason why lawncare companies are so horrible? I’m not sure of another contract-based service for a private home that is as bad across the board. And it’s a shame, I’m about to have two children under 2 and would gladly pay a premium for quality work as I simply won’t have the time to maintain 1.3 acres for the next few years.

What general area/county are you in? Could make a recommendation.
There are a couple of reasons why. First one is consolidation. Seems to be happening with a lot of businesses. Our locally based company here in Monmouth was bought out by a larger outfit based in Pennsylvania. I opted to start fertilizing myself, in addition to doing the mowing, which is not difficult since I have a lawn tractor.
Second reason is I don't think the companies can find enough reliable, quality employees to do the work. Have a friend who owns a local landscaping and lawn service company. Finding and keeping quality employees is tough.

 

[rufeelinit]

Seems odd the Lesco preemergent isn’t working just a month or so after application. Could be your sprayer didn’t apply the product evenly? Was it the right application rate as per the label? I think you could reapply preemergent in a month or so maybe at a lower rate since the split application is usually 3 or 4 months after the first (depending on rates). I agree with knight Shift on spot spraying with a broad leaf weed killer like Ortho Weed Killer (though I think Ortho is reformulating some products, including the above). It is more difficult to control weeds if your neighbors don’t—place emphasis on preemergent and then spot spray as may be needed. If you’re trying to control ground ivy, chickweed, and clover, Ortho CCO with triclopyr works well. Might need multiple applications as per label. Good luck!

I put it down with a rotary spreader. I used the directed application setting but I will admit it does not seem to be the most accurate way to ensure uniform coverage. My home is and segments of my lawn are very exposed to very high shore winds maybe that has been an issue as well since the area where dandelions have been spotted are at the edge of the property that fronts a lake.

 

[phs73rc77gsm83]

I put it down with a rotary spreader. I used the directed application setting but I will admit it does not seem to be the most accurate way to ensure uniform coverage. My home is and segments of my lawn are very exposed to very high shore winds maybe that has been an issue as well since the area where dandelions have been spotted are at the edge of the property that fronts a lake.

And maybe a really heavy rainfall caused some washout? Yea, when you mentioned Lesco I knew you used a spreader and not a sprayer—my bad.

 

[bac2therac]

Is there a reason why lawncare companies are so horrible? I’m not sure of another contract-based service for a private home that is as bad across the board. And it’s a shame, I’m about to have two children under 2 and would gladly pay a premium for quality work as I simply won’t have the time to maintain 1.3 acres for the next few years.

Who are you using

 

[Postman_1]

Spot sprayed some dandelion and chickweed today. I tank mixed Speedzone and Ortho CCO. Hopefully I see some results in a few days.

 

[Salvi's Headband]

After 12 years of doing all my own lawn care I'm throwing in the towel this year and hiring a lawn care company. I'll miss and yet I won't.

 

[rurichdog]

I don't want to jinx it, but I've had good success with a spring seeding and treating weeds with Tenacity. I bought Black Beauty seed this year and covered it with peat moss, water it 15 minutes twice a day when it doesn't rain, and it's coming in better than expected. The Tenacity takes a while to really get cranking, but watching the weeds slowly whiten then wither is pretty interesting.

 

[rufeelinit]

After 12 years of doing all my own lawn care I'm throwing in the towel this year and hiring a lawn care company. I'll miss and yet I won't.

I thought of doing the same since I thought my lawnmower was shot. Turns out it just needed a good tune up by the local hardware store. Still it’s old but my property is small so I will do it for atleast another season. If a get a new mower it will be an electric model with a battery pack.

 

[Joey Bags]

Who are you using

No one, heard too many horror stories to pull the trigger but would like to. DIY’d up till now.

 

[Knight Shift]

I thought of doing the same since I thought my lawnmower was shot. Turns out it just needed a good tune up by the local hardware store. Still it’s old but my property is small so I will do it for atleast another season. If a get a new mower it will be an electric model with a battery pack.

Not sure of the cost, but for a small yard, look into a robot mower. They are gaining traction (no pun intended). Don't have any experience, but would look into that as an option if I had a small yard.

 

[Salvi's Headband]

I thought of doing the same since I thought my lawnmower was shot. Turns out it just needed a good tune up by the local hardware store. Still it’s old but my property is small so I will do it for atleast another season. If a get a new mower it will be an electric model with a battery pack.

I got an Ego and like it a lot. Will never go back to gas. Ever.

 

[rufeelinit]

I got an Ego and like it a lot. Will never go back to gas. Ever.

I have used an Ego since my son has one. I think he has a trimmer and blower as well. I was thinking of purchasing the same if deciding to continue in DIY mode. Lowes carries them while THD carries Ryobi.

 

[RU Golfer]

I don't want to jinx it, but I've had good success with a spring seeding and treating weeds with Tenacity. I bought Black Beauty seed this year and covered it with peat moss, water it 15 minutes twice a day when it doesn't rain, and it's coming in better than expected. The Tenacity takes a while to really get cranking, but watching the weeds slowly whiten then wither is pretty interesting.

I have used Black Beauty and have had good success with it

 

[Knight Shift]

I have used an Ego since my son has one. I think he has a trimmer and blower as well. I was thinking of purchasing the same if deciding to continue in DIY mode. Lowes carries them while THD carries Ryobi.

Can't speak to EGO mower, but we have had the EGO string trimmer, the power head with the attachments for trimming hedges, string trimmer, pole chainsaw, and a small roto-tiller. Also have an EGO 16" chain saw. Have had the tools (except for the chainsaw (only 1 year) for 5-7 years, and they work flawlessly. Batteries have held up well. Make sure if you get a mower, get the highest A-H you can afford without breaking the bank- they will last longer before needing a charge. Also, make sure when you put the mower away for the winter to store you batteries in a climate controlled location, but not on charge.

 

[Postman_1]

I don't want to jinx it, but I've had good success with a spring seeding and treating weeds with Tenacity. I bought Black Beauty seed this year and covered it with peat moss, water it 15 minutes twice a day when it doesn't rain, and it's coming in better than expected. The Tenacity takes a while to really get cranking, but watching the weeds slowly whiten then wither is pretty interesting.

Did you get it at Ace? I heard that if your not gonna order crazy expensive seed that Black Beauty is the way to go. I may try some spot seeding in the fall

 

[rurichdog]

Did you get it at Ace? I heard that if your not gonna order crazy expensive seed that Black Beauty is the way to go. I may try some spot seeding in the fall

I got it at Timothy's Garden Center on 130 in Robbinsville.

 

[phs73rc77gsm83]

I have used Black Beauty and have had good success with it

Black Beautify has many types of seed. I think they are high quality but I’d encourage folks to read the label of the specific seed and be sure there is “zero crop” and “zero weed seed.” It’s not worth scrimping on seed,in my view.

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-f...act-sheets/understanding-turfgrass-seed-label

 

[Salvi's Headband]

I got an Ego and like it a lot. Will never go back to gas. Ever.

@bac2therac ....what tf is so funny?

 

[bac2therac]

@bac2therac ....what tf is so funny?

as long as you are happy but let the buyer beware

 

[Salvi's Headband]

as long as you are happy but let the buyer beware

Four years in and not a single issue. Does my entire front and back yard in a single charge. Basically zero maintenance. Enjoy inhaling gas fumes for the rest of your life.

 

[bac2therac]

Four years in and not a single issue. Does my entire front and back yard in a single charge. Basically zero maintenance. Enjoy inhaling gas fumes for the rest of your life.

You just claimed after 12 years of doing it yourself you are throwing in the towel and hiring a lawn service

Which is it

 

[bigbirdru]

Anyone putting down grubex? Grubs and voles destroyed my yard last summer.

 

[phs73rc77gsm83]

Anyone putting down grubex? Grubs and voles destroyed my yard last summer.

Put it down a couple weeks ago. Here is a good article from our “friends” in the BIG.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how_to_choose_and_when_to_apply_grub_control_products_for_your_lawn

 

[koleszar]

Anyone putting down grubex? Grubs and voles destroyed my yard last summer.

Not going to be any help but I'm in the same boat. All the sides of my pastures next to the wetlands is destroyed by voles and animals digging up grubs. And my pickle is I can't use any type pesticide to get rid of them with pigs/horses. I just fill in the holes and run the tunnels over with the tractor.

On my ongoing converting a forest into pasture ordeal, after 4 season of seeding and harrowing it might be time to hire someone to drill seed. It's taking off great in some spots and others are like I never put a single seed down. Frustration has finally set in.

 

[tru2ru1]

Not going to be any help but I'm in the same boat. All the sides of my pastures next to the wetlands is destroyed by voles and animals digging up grubs. And my pickle is I can't use any type pesticide to get rid of them with pigs/horses. I just fill in the holes and run the tunnels over with the tractor.

On my ongoing converting a forest into pasture ordeal, after 4 season of seeding and harrowing it might be time to hire someone to drill seed. It's taking off great in some spots and others are like I never put a single seed down. Frustration has finally set in.

Have you checked the PH in the areas were the seed is not growing?

 

[e5fdny]

Have you checked the PH in the areas where the seed is not growing?

PSA...


The Parker House in Sea Girt is opening for the season on Friday, May 16th. The restaurant.

The bars already opened as of last night.

 

[Knight Shift]

The Jonathan Green fertilizer has been a home run. Lawn has never been better in the late spring. Very few weeds (almost none), tall turf fescue is dense green and thick. Left for 8 days, and with all the rain, had to mow with the push mower because the grass was so tall and thick. And saving about $600-700 per year not using a service. The POA invasion has turned darker green and blended in.

 

[Knight Shift]

PSA...


The Parker House in Sea Girt is opening for the season on Friday, May 16th. The restaurant.

The bars already opened as of last night.

Think he meant pH. There is no alcohol in pH.

 

[RUaMoose_rivals]

Anyone have advice bout killing ticks ? I recently moved to a place about 7 miles NW of DT Nashville. It's cool because I'm so close to DT but it's the start of a rural area with cows grazing and whatnot. The problem I'm having is ticks. I just felt one crawling on the back of my neck 20 minutes ago and have removed two embedded ticks from from my wife ( I use a lit cigarette and needle-nose pliers) The dwelling is only about 20' from a dense wood line that runs the length of the property. That's where I think they're coming from. So I want to treat the wood line, at least 10' in and 50'-'75 in each direction, the lawn and looks like I need to bomb inside as well given my experience this morning. My wife likes to walk the cats in the morning and there ain't no talking her out of doing that ( I tried). That's where I think her ticks are coming from. I don't have a hose outlet so forget those end-of-hose liquid dispensers. I'm thinking just get a shitload of granular insect control & a hand spreader from Walmart and bombard the area but I also have to be concerned about the safety and health of the cats

 

[Postman_1]

Anyone have advice bout killing ticks ? I recently moved to a place about 7 miles NW of DT Nashville. It's cool because I'm so close to DT but it's the start of a rural area with cows grazing and whatnot. The problem I'm having is ticks. I just felt one crawling on the back of my neck 20 minutes ago and have removed two embedded ticks from from my wife ( I use a lit cigarette and needle-nose pliers) The dwelling is only about 20' from a dense wood line that runs the length of the property. That's where I think they're coming from. So I want to treat the wood line, at least 10' in and 50'-'75 in each direction, the lawn and looks like I need to bomb inside as well given my experience this morning. My wife likes to walk the cats in the morning and there ain't no talking her out of doing that ( I tried). That's where I think her ticks are coming from. I don't have a hose outlet so forget those end-of-hose liquid dispensers. I'm thinking just get a shitload of granular insect control & a hand spreader from Walmart and bombard the area but I also have to be concerned about the safety and health of the cats

Check out this link. Thy sell commercial grade products. Most of them are pet safe once they dry. Just make sure to read the label.

https://www.domyown.com/flea-tick-c-1295.html

 

[koleszar]

Have you checked the PH in the areas were the seed is not growing?

We had two pH tests done for each of the 4 pastures, had to put down more than an entire pallet of lime, then retest. Apparently turning a dying forest into pastures is not easy. I'm to the point where I'm just getting more and more pissed off as I see my hard work go unrewarded. With animals I can't use this or that according to the Gestapo (wife). So, I'm throwing in the towel and she can pay to have someone do it.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Greenlawn FINALLY showed to seed/aerate my lawn last Friday night 5pm to fix their damage they caused. The manager texted me earlier in week they were coming Friday so I waited around. At 2pm a truck shows up and I asked them what they were doing. "We're here to fertilize your lawn"......OMG This business IS THE WORST. Once again I had to call and threaten legal action if not done THAT day. 5pm guy shows and said he was called back out to do my yard. "it's bad and I'm gonna have to really go over it and over it. About 2 hours". Rip it up I say. 1 hour later he was gone. Picture one is how they left it. Some holes and grass seed just lying on top of compacted soil. Picture two is after I grabbed my dethatcher and ran over everything for 30 mins mixing the seed into the soil.
Now I get to water my whole yard for an hour+ each day for the next 2+ weeks. more work for me.
NEVER AGAIN.

Great questions and welcome back (was gonna give you a shout out because you and the @mildone just disappeared. I take breaks from here too. Very healthy thing to do lol).

I'm firing my team too..right after they fix the mess they made of things last year. Done my own for 33 years here but with that bad back I decided to hire someone . Fired the first 1 after just one attempt because they screwed up the very first time. They even came back and did an unannounced treatment 2 months after I fired them..SMH.

The 2nd company let this happen. They admitted they missed a fungus and agreed to restore the yard with aeration and seeding but couldn't last fall due to the drought. Coming back in 2 weeks..Then once I restored ..goodbye. I was shopping for a tow behind spreader just this weekend. Before and after pictures.

I believe I saved my lawn and restored it (more spots to fill in but ..phew. This weather has been crap but GREAT for the efforts).

 

[Knight Shift]

I believe I saved my lawn and restored it (more spots to fill in but ..phew. This weather has been crap but GREAT for the efforts).

Good job. I don't know if it is the Jonathan Green weed/feed product I applied myself or the low weed season, but my lawn has NEVER been this weed free and green and lush at this time of year. Happy to be doing my own. Don't know what kind of stuff the lawn service was putting down, but always had lots of weeds.

 

[CERU00]

Anyone have advice bout killing ticks ? I recently moved to a place about 7 miles NW of DT Nashville. It's cool because I'm so close to DT but it's the start of a rural area with cows grazing and whatnot. The problem I'm having is ticks. I just felt one crawling on the back of my neck 20 minutes ago and have removed two embedded ticks from from my wife ( I use a lit cigarette and needle-nose pliers) The dwelling is only about 20' from a dense wood line that runs the length of the property. That's where I think they're coming from. So I want to treat the wood line, at least 10' in and 50'-'75 in each direction, the lawn and looks like I need to bomb inside as well given my experience this morning. My wife likes to walk the cats in the morning and there ain't no talking her out of doing that ( I tried). That's where I think her ticks are coming from. I don't have a hose outlet so forget those end-of-hose liquid dispensers. I'm thinking just get a shitload of granular insect control & a hand spreader from Walmart and bombard the area but I also have to be concerned about the safety and health of the cats

Ticks tend to gather at the edge of woods and avoid short grass. I think your safest strategy is to spray your clothes with pymethrine and any exposed skin with picaridin.
I've also experimented with planting tick tubes, short pvc pipes that I stuff with cotton balls. Soak the balls in pymethrine and place near paths that mice will travel. Mice will go into the tube for the cotton and be exposed to the pymethrine. I've read these are very effective at killing ticks on mice, the primary tick host.
Be aware that contact with the saliva of the lone star tick is enough to transmit the new alpha-gal syndrome. These ticks are now wildly dispersed over the country.

 

[RUDead]

Not going to be any help but I'm in the same boat. All the sides of my pastures next to the wetlands is destroyed by voles and animals digging up grubs. And my pickle is I can't use any type pesticide to get rid of them with pigs/horses. I just fill in the holes and run the tunnels over with the tractor.

On my ongoing converting a forest into pasture ordeal, after 4 season of seeding and harrowing it might be time to hire someone to drill seed. It's taking off great in some spots and others are like I never put a single seed down. Frustration has finally set in.

I've killed Voles with mouse traps. Just find their trails and put the traps down where they walk. You need to level them out so they just walk over them and get trapped. Worked pretty good.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Good job. I don't know if it is the Jonathan Green weed/feed product I applied myself or the low weed season, but my lawn has NEVER been this weed free and green and lush at this time of year. Happy to be doing my own. Don't know what kind of stuff the lawn service was putting down, but always had lots of weeds.

I grabbed a nice like new pull behind 100# spreader off marketplace and I will NEVER have one of these large lawn companies EVER step foot on my property again. I'm thinking this new lawn has come in just enough that I might go grab something to put down to help the growth fill-in process. I might just spread a layer of top soil/manure in the little "gaps" still there and wait a few weeks till mid-June to put down the first fertilizer shot. I'm cutting every 3-4 days now anyway!

I also grabbed a like new John Deer 22HP tractor off MP that cuts beautiful higher (3.5") and drives like a BMW so cutting it a bit higher is now a good option. (the 22hp Craftsman YT is now the permanent snow plow).

Strange springs in Jersey anymore. You never know what you're gonna get between April thru August.

 

[RUaMoose_rivals]

Ticks tend to gather at the edge of woods and avoid short grass. I think your safest strategy is to spray your clothes with pymethrine and any exposed skin with picaridin.
I've also experimented with planting tick tubes, short pvc pipes that I stuff with cotton balls. Soak the balls in pymethrine and place near paths that mice will travel. Mice will go into the tube for the cotton and be exposed to the pymethrine. I've read these are very effective at killing ticks on mice, the primary tick host.
Be aware that contact with the saliva of the lone star tick is enough to transmit the new alpha-gal syndrome. These ticks are now wildly dispersed over the country.

Thanks! As mentioned

Ticks tend to gather at the edge of woods and avoid short grass. I think your safest strategy is to spray your clothes with pymethrine and any exposed skin with picaridin.
I've also experimented with planting tick tubes, short pvc pipes that I stuff with cotton balls. Soak the balls in pymethrine and place near paths that mice will travel. Mice will go into the tube for the cotton and be exposed to the pymethrine. I've read these are very effective at killing ticks on mice, the primary tick host.
Be aware that contact with the saliva of the lone star tick is enough to transmit the new alpha-gal syndrome. These ticks are now wildly dispersed over the country.

Thanks. As mentioned I hit the lawn and wood line with insect control granulars. Problem seems to have improved. Also pruned tree branches that were hanging over the lawn since my buddy down the street told me they fall off the branches. Got some indoor pet-friendly foam-like spray for the carpets, couches, pet beds, etc. Gonna hit the yard/wood line again in about 3 weeks. FAFO, ticks!