weeds

[TheMindWillNotLetGo]

No, never.  Which fungus are you talking about?  Toadstools?  The yellow slime stuff that grows in the shade?  Grey powdering stuff on the grass leaves/stems?  Brown (dead grass) spots sprinkled throughout the yard?

Overall, too much of too many chemicals is gonna create horrible imbalances that will mess with the grass much worse than just letting it rest for a year or two, then approach it gradually.  Too much fertilizer is a huge part of that.  And don't get me started about "thatch" or "aeration"... geez, what a cluster that bill of goods is that has been sold to the American people.

Very reasonable and effective weed control can be achieved by just being aware of the reproduction cycles of the weeds you are trying to control.  Simply put, a weed needs seeds to continue.  Mow the flowers off before they go to seed, and you interrupt the cycle so there is no next generation.  

Then all you have to worry about is seed blowing in from somewhere - and you literally cannot do anything about that.

Quick explanation; I would say mow the grass long all the time, except that for me, it seems to work best to cut it short this time of year to let sun in to ground level to help warm up the soil a little bit.  It will make weed seeds grow more quickly now, too, but then I can mow them down when the flowers appear, and voila, no more weeds.  Bermuda grows in, chokes the rest out for the rest of the year.

Buffalo grass looks like it might be an alternative to bermuda, if you have plenty of money.  Have been thinking about trying some.

alright alright, simmer down now... I'll start mowing the damn yard twice a week right now whether it needs it or not

the fungus...if you have a wet winter/spring, then your grass comes up all patchy and thin, it is because of the fungus, or mold or whatever.

Anyway, 2 years ago my lawn was horrible and my good buddy in NOLA told me what to do.  Fixed it up pretty good.  Last year I forgot the fungus, and the grass was still patchy and thin.  I don't recall how bad my weeds were, because when it's still 98* at 11pm, I don't even care what I'm running over with the damn mower, but the bermuda wasn't choking smile, I gurantee you that.

[heironymouspasparagus]

alright alright, simmer down now... I'll start mowing the damn yard twice a week right now whether it needs it or not

the fungus...if you have a wet winter/spring, then your grass comes up all patchy and thin, it is because of the fungus, or mold or whatever.

Anyway, 2 years ago my lawn was horrible and my good buddy in NOLA told me what to do.  Fixed it up pretty good.  Last year I forgot the fungus, and the grass was still patchy and thin.  I don't recall how bad my weeds were, because when it's still 98* at 11pm, I don't even care what I'm running over with the damn mower, but the bermuda wasn't choking smile, I gurantee you that.

Simmer?  I said all that in a very low voice.  I get into a mellow groove when talking about or working with plants/gardens/trees.


Man, have we got our work cut out for us with you.  You believe anything someone from NOLA says??   Hey, while we're there - I got an ocean front lot kit for sale - in Arizona.

Last year was not a good year as reference for much of anything except misery.  Bermuda likes occasional water, but really doesn't want to stay wet.  That is probably bigger effect than fungus.  Fungus will hurt, no doubt.  Most likely cause - too much fertilizer - makes bermuda susceptible to brown patch.  And too much water from wet spring....  Oh, yeah, never water anything after about noon or much before sunrise.  (Especially roses!!)

Another very bad thing to do to your lawn is to bag the grass.  Let the clippings fall where they may.  If you have excess dead grass, then you messed up by not mowing soon enough.  Just mow again a few days later and it will disappear as desired - and needed by the lawn!

Still might want to look at buffalo grass.  Only grows to about 4 or 5", so would be more forgiving if miss a mowing.  Since you are the boss, you can afford it.  (I'm just a poor little worker bee, so it will be a long time for me to convert my yard.)

[TheMindWillNotLetGo]

Simmer?  I said all that in a very low voice.  I get into a mellow groove when talking about or working with plants/gardens/trees.


Man, have we got our work cut out for us with you.  You believe anything someone from NOLA says??   Hey, while we're there - I got an ocean front lot kit for sale - in Arizona.

Last year was not a good year as reference for much of anything except misery.  Bermuda likes occasional water, but really doesn't want to stay wet.  That is probably bigger effect than fungus.  Fungus will hurt, no doubt.  Most likely cause - too much fertilizer - makes bermuda susceptible to brown patch.  And too much water from wet spring....  Oh, yeah, never water anything after about noon or much before sunrise.  (Especially roses!!)

Another very bad thing to do to your lawn is to bag the grass.  Let the clippings fall where they may.  If you have excess dead grass, then you messed up by not mowing soon enough.  Just mow again a few days later and it will disappear as desired - and needed by the lawn!

Still might want to look at buffalo grass.  Only grows to about 4 or 5", so would be more forgiving if miss a mowing.  Since you are the boss, you can afford it.  (I'm just a poor little worker bee, so it will be a long time for me to convert my yard.)

Alright, listen my buddy in NOLA has same grass and aside from the occasional ice storm and/or 24" blizzard, actually has similar conditions. He told me what to do, I did it, and I had luxurious lawn.

I don't use fertilizer.  Ever.  Even against all the talk of all my neighbors that have deep green carpet thick lawns, and try to sell me on the 30/70 or whatever the love that nitrogen smile is.

Lastly, I would ask you about the bagging.  I thought you were supposed to bag the first mow of the season, and usually have.  Otherwise, screw that smile as well...I got to mow this lawn in 100* heat, you think I'm going to bucking bag it?

[Gaspar]

Dandelion is essentially the same flavor note as arugula.  Quite good unless it's been hit with Round-Up.  I'm not really sure someone didn't figure out that "arugula" sounded a whole lot more food-snob than "dandelion".

If you go to Whole Foods you will find that seasonal dandelion greens are quite expensive.  If you walk out of Whole Foods and look down, you can pick some for free.

[Conan71]

Alright, listen my buddy in NOLA has same grass and aside from the occasional ice storm and/or 24" blizzard, actually has similar conditions. He told me what to do, I did it, and I had luxurious lawn.

I don't use fertilizer.  Ever.  Even against all the talk of all my neighbors that have deep green carpet thick lawns, and try to sell me on the 30/70 or whatever the love that nitrogen smile is.

Lastly, I would ask you about the bagging.  I thought you were supposed to bag the first mow of the season, and usually have.  Otherwise, screw that smile as well...I got to mow this lawn in 100* heat, you think I'm going to bucking bag it?

Kind of surprised they wouldn't be growing St. Augustine grass down in NOLA.  It becomes prevalent around Dallas and further toward the tropics.  Unfortunately, our freeze situation here makes it impossible to survive our winters.

[TheMindWillNotLetGo]

Kind of surprised they wouldn't be growing St. Augustine grass down in NOLA.  It becomes prevalent around Dallas and further toward the tropics.  Unfortunately, our freeze situation here makes it impossible to survive our winters.

yeh, I don't know for sure about everybody down there, but his lawn is bermuda for whatever reason.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Lastly, I would ask you about the bagging.  I thought you were supposed to bag the first mow of the season, and usually have.  Otherwise, screw that smile as well...I got to mow this lawn in 100* heat, you think I'm going to bucking bag it?

OSU Extension has some excellent information about all things green and growing.  Including lawn care for Oklahoma.  And the Master Gardener program in this state is in the top tier nationwide (15th street west of Yale).  


And never bag.  Anything.  Ever.

[TheMindWillNotLetGo]

OSU Extension has some excellent information about all things green and growing.  Including lawn care for Oklahoma.  And the Master Gardener program in this state is in the top tier nationwide (15th street west of Yale).  


And never bag.  Anything.  Ever.

alright then, I am going no bag on first mow this year.   Thanks for all the info 

[RecycleMichael]

OSU Extension has some excellent information about all things green and growing.  Including lawn care for Oklahoma.  And the Master Gardener program in this state is in the top tier nationwide (15th street west of Yale).  
And never bag.  Anything.  Ever.

Ever? I can't agree.

What if you want to start a compost pile?

I would amend your statement that you should never throw away grass clippings.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Ever? I can't agree.

What if you want to start a compost pile?

I would amend your statement that you should never throw away grass clippings.

Buy an old bale - couple years old - of hay and start with that.  Can find that all over the place.  I have also talked to some of the farm and ranch stores in northeast Oklahoma who sells square bales,  After a time, a pile of broken bales and other loose hay accumulates.  I have a couple of favorites, that I wont mention for obvious reasons, that will let me shovel all that loose stuff I want.  Have started compost piles as large as a 16' car hauler trailer, 7 feet tall on the bed with all the hay I could stand to shovel at one time.  Check with the FFA people in BA.  Or maybe the boarding stables around town.  There is lots of stuff out there, just gotta look around a little bit.

And once you have started that compost pile, NEVER put any meat or meat eating animal products in it.

Don't get me started on compost - I will never stop.  I had one a few years ago when was raising a few cattle that was about 30' in diameter and piled up way over my head.  Contained the remains of about 5 round bales with lots of cow manure in it.  Still some left, but has grown over with grass.  Beautiful grass.

Compost is one of God's greatest gifts.  Right behind Oreo's and wine coolers for breakfast!

And yes, never throw away grass clippings.

[RecycleMichael]

I will be teaching a class on composting on March 31st at TCC northeast campus. It will be 45 minutes in length and start at 11:00am

[heironymouspasparagus]

I will be teaching a class on composting on March 31st at TCC northeast campus. It will be 45 minutes in length and start at 11:00am

Cool!!  Free or fee?

Bins?  Worms?


Have a close relative who used to bag regularly.  I took his bags of grass and composted them, then put them on the yard.  Showed him the green grass and told him thanks for all that fertilizer he threw away.

[Gaspar]

I just use the single pile method and a pitch-fork to compost.  Have a pile in the woods behind the house that is about 5 feet tall.  I layer leaves, organics (grass clippings and shredded plants) then more leaves.  I also use the hay-bale that my wife feels compelled to purchase every year for Halloween.  You would be amazed at how much hay is in a bale when you break it up.

The key is to keep it moist and turn it every couple of weeks (at least).  I just move the pile from one spot to another.

I also have lots of trees that I prune every year as well as trees that fall in the woods.  I cut them into 2ft lengths and drill holes every 6".  I then pound plugs inoculated with shiitake mushroom or oyster mushroom spore that I buy on Ebay, and stack them up near the creek.  I get a nice healthy crop of mushrooms, and after a year or two the logs are mush ready for the compost pile.  I have a small stack this year that I hope will be blooming after the rains next week.  I'll post pics if they bloom.

I enjoy watching plants rot almost as much as I do watching them grow!

[RecycleMichael]

Cool!!  Free or fee?
Bins?  Worms?
Have a close relative who used to bag regularly.  I took his bags of grass and composted them, then put them on the yard.  Showed him the green grass and told him thanks for all that fertilizer he threw away.

The class is free. I will cover bin designs and spend a little time on worms as well.

I call it binformation and global worming.

[Conan71]

I just use the single pile method and a pitch-fork to compost.  Have a pile in the woods behind the house that is about 5 feet tall.  I layer leaves, organics (grass clippings and shredded plants) then more leaves.  I also use the hay-bale that my wife feels compelled to purchase every year for Halloween.  You would be amazed at how much hay is in a bale when you break it up.

The key is to keep it moist and turn it every couple of weeks (at least).  I just move the pile from one spot to another.

I also have lots of trees that I prune every year as well as trees that fall in the woods.  I cut them into 2ft lengths and drill holes every 6".  I then pound plugs inoculated with shiitake mushroom or oyster mushroom spore that I buy on Ebay, and stack them up near the creek.  I get a nice healthy crop of mushrooms, and after a year or two the logs are mush ready for the compost pile.  I have a small stack this year that I hope will be blooming after the rains next week.  I'll post pics if they bloom.

I enjoy watching plants rot almost as much as I do watching them grow!

Can you buy morrell spore or will it grow in our climate?