On Thu, 09 Mar 2006 01:35:19 -0800, tenplay wrote:
Thanks for your helpful response. Unfortunately I am down in Tumwater,
WA. Actually what I am thinking of is having the lawn service fertilize
and control the weeds as needed, and do the weekly mowing myself. Having
them come in 3-4 times to do the stuff I don't know how to do should run
about $300-400, shouldn't it?
If I decide to try it myself, are you saying that I should fertilize
first, then spray liquid broadleaf, overseed the lawn, and mow the lawn
at 2.5-3 inches, and then, in the fall, fertilize, aerate the lawn and
spot spray the broadleaf weeds again? Did I get the order right?
Thanks. Mike
Yes, in so many words, that is the correct method for chemical control. I
posted under the assumption that your IPM threshold was met and you have
chosen the chemical path.
Just for balance, you can also attack the problem with out chemicals and
de-thatch your lawn area and over-seed/ split seed or hydro-seed. You can
remove quite a bit of weeds this way and slightly aerate the soil. You
will have to select a seed that will sprout in a short time to beat the
weed return.
The blow by blow for chemical treatment.
Purchase a 1 gallon tank sprayer. 25.00
Purchase a small bottle of broadleaf weed killer for lawns. 10.00
Purchase a bag of fertilizer. 21-3-7 cenex farmers supply 15.00
Purchase a fertilizer spreader. 40.00
Purchase quality grass seed. cenex farmers supply 2.50 a pound.
Feritlize the lawn correctly. Look at my page on this subject:
http://resources.ywgc.com/info/ferthazard.shtml
http://resources.ywgc.com/info/lawnfert.shtml
Spot spray the lawn weeds. This can be done the same day as the
fertilization. You will need one whole day for dry time and stay off the
lawn for this period.
Wait two to three weeks for the weeds to die. Mow the lawn at 2 inches at
this point. Over seed when your done. Wait 2 to 4 weeks for the seed to
sprout. When the seeds have grown to 2 inches, mow regulary at 2.5 to 3
inches for the rest of the season.
In the fall, spot spray again (if needed!!), fertilize and over seed. Next
years' lawn will need a fertilization in the spring and most likely wont
need chemical treatment. The taller height will help keep the
weed seed from sprouting and help retain the moisture during our summer
drought.
Good luck.
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http://resources.ywgc.com/info