(MICHELLE H.) wrote in
:

Every year, we try to do the cycle of Scotts Fertilizers on our
lawn ( Crabgrass Fertilizer, Weed Control Fertilizer,
Summerguard Fertilizer, Regular Fertilizer, and Winterguard
Fertilizer), and usually have no problems.

lovely. a chemical dependant unnatural lawn...

Because its so late into June, we were going to just skip the
"Weed Control", and just do the "Summerguard", but we opted to
still do the "Weed Control", because our lawn was OVERRUN by
clovers this year.

did you know that until the mid-1950s, when the chemical companies
developed broad leaf weed killers, clover was considered the *most*
desirable lawn? not grass. clover.
unfortunately, the new weed killers killed clover, so the chemical
companies started an ad campaign telling everyone that clover was
an "undesirable weed" and in order to have a pretty green lawn,
everyone should buy their poisons. it was a good ad campaign, at
least for the chemical companies. not so good for the birds, or
insects or pets or children that played on the poison lawns... but
they were pretty, right? so what if you can use them.

We usually have clover throughout the yard every year, but this
year was the WORST, and we have never seen it this bad!!!! On
one side of our house, where we use to have nice grass, the
clover spread like wild, and the whole side of the house was
just one big field of clover. When you walked on the side of the
house, you weren't walking on grass, you were walking on pure
clover.

aw, what a pity...
i am happy to see clover. it means my yard is healthy.

But anyway, we watered the grass to get it nice and wet ( so
that the fertilizer sticks to the weeds ), just like the bag
instructs, and we set our "drop spreader" to the 5 1/2 setting
like the bag says, and applied the fertilizer.

yeah, but you didn't read the part about temperature, did you?

The clover started to turn Brown, and slowly die off, but the
grass was all Yellow the next morning!!! Now all the neighbors
have nice Green lawns, and our lawn is all Yellow.

see my tiny violin?
i bet all that grass you killed will be overrun with weeds now,
and not of the desirable clover either.

So, did the Scotts "Weed Control" kill the lawn??

no, you did. you didn't read the instructions.

So is there any truth to the above two explanations?? And now
the important thing, how do we fix/repair the lawn??? According
to the "Scotts" bag, you CAN'T put down new grass seed until 4
weeks after applying the "Weed Control"???

well, you could, but it won't grow. just leave it until fall &
reseed then. a yellow lawn is really a small price to pay for NOT
FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS.
you might even consider seeding it with clover. think of the time
& money you would save...

What if we were to spread around some new topsoil ( Topdressing
I think they call it? ) first, and then reseed?? Or do we have
to wait the full 4 weeks???

topdressing isn't going to help. bringing in 3-4 *inches* of new
topsoil might let you reseed sooner, but reseeding this time of
year is going to gain you mostly weeds anyway.

We have watered the lawn "deeply" for the past couple of days,
but that didn't really help. The grass is still all Yellow.

yup... and by "deeply", how many inches of water? you are probably
just compounding the stress of poisoning it by drowning the
remainder.

Any help and or suggestions about what to do now would greatly
be appreciated!!!

neh, i bet my suggestions aren't at all appreciated.
my lawn is nicely green. it's mostly clover & strawberries... i
don't have to mow it much, pamper it, poison it, or water it. i
don't have to worry about my child or pets being poisoned by
playing on it. i'm not a slave to it.
lee

On the back of the bag, they have a little "calender" thing for when to
put down fertilizer, and for the Scotts "Weed Control, it says
April-June. So we figured that this meant ALL of June, as it doesn't say
a specific June date.


The monthly calender schedule reads as follows:


1) Early Spring: February - April

"To prevent crabgrass":

Scotts Turf Builder with Halts Crabgrass Preventer



2) Late Spring: April - June

"To kill weeds":

Scotts Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control



3) Summer: June - August

"To kill bugs":

Scotts Turf Builder with SummerGuard



4) Early Fall: August - September

"For Fall root growth":

Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Fertilizer



5) Late Fall: October - November

"For a thicker greener lawn now, and next spring":

Scotts Turf Builder Winterizer



Also, just so you know, on the back of the Scotts "Weed Control" bag, it
says "Do not apply if temperatures are below 60 or ABOVE 90". When my
husband applied it last week, it was like between 82 and 84 degrees out,
plus it rained the next afternoon. So we followed all the directions
EXACT to the "T", but the next morning when we woke up, all the grass
was Yellow, less than 24 hours after putting down the Scotts "Weed
Control".

In article ,
(MICHELLE H.) wrote:

On the back of the bag, they have a little "calender" thing for when to
put down fertilizer, and for the Scotts "Weed Control, it says
April-June. So we figured that this meant ALL of June, as it doesn't say
a specific June date.


The monthly calender schedule reads as follows:


1) Early Spring: February - April

"To prevent crabgrass":

Scotts Turf Builder with Halts Crabgrass Preventer



2) Late Spring: April - June

"To kill weeds":

Scotts Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control



3) Summer: June - August

"To kill bugs":

Scotts Turf Builder with SummerGuard



4) Early Fall: August - September

"For Fall root growth":

Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Fertilizer



5) Late Fall: October - November

"For a thicker greener lawn now, and next spring":

Scotts Turf Builder Winterizer



Also, just so you know, on the back of the Scotts "Weed Control" bag, it
says "Do not apply if temperatures are below 60 or ABOVE 90". When my
husband applied it last week, it was like between 82 and 84 degrees out,
plus it rained the next afternoon. So we followed all the directions
EXACT to the "T", but the next morning when we woke up, all the grass
was Yellow, less than 24 hours after putting down the Scotts "Weed
Control".

Sounds like a good argument for organic. Scott, Monsanto, Dow, they
aren't your friends. I, too, remember people being proud of their clover
lawns.
--

- Billy

There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who
learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and
find out for themselves.
Will Rogers

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/7/1/headlines#4
http://www.tomdispatch.com/p/zinn

We try to keep the lawn the lawn as "natural" as possible, as last year
we ONLY did the Scotts "Weed Control", as we had a problem with
Dandelions EVERYWHERE throughout the yard. Not like 1 or 2 Dandelions,
but hundreds!!!

This year, there was hardly any Dandelions at all, just TONS of clover
growing everywhere at a rapid rate. Our whole side yard, was almost
nothing but pure clover.


2 years ago, we only used the Scotts "Weed Control" for the Dandelions,
and the "SummerGuard", to kill the fleas being brought into the yard by
chipmunks and squirrels constantly running through our yard.


Also, yes, the grass was wet when my husband applied the "Weed Control",
because the directions on the bag say that "the grass should be wet so
that the fertilizer particles can stick to the weeds".


My husband uses a "Scotts Accu-Green 1000 Drop Spreader", and its about
10 - 12 years old, so could it be possible that the spreader is
defective, and too much fertilizer came out???

(MICHELLE H.) wrote in
:

We try to keep the lawn the lawn as "natural" as possible, as
last year we ONLY did the Scotts "Weed Control", as we had a
problem with Dandelions EVERYWHERE throughout the yard. Not like
1 or 2 Dandelions, but hundreds!!!

This year, there was hardly any Dandelions at all, just TONS of
clover growing everywhere at a rapid rate. Our whole side yard,
was almost nothing but pure clover.

yeah, i have lots of dandelions. they're delicious in the spring, &
the yellow flowers are so cheery. makes a nice wine too.
i also have plaintain, both broad & narrow leaf. the tortoises are
particularly fond of those (as are the goats). i rather like the
plaintain growing along the garden fence. it's choked out the grass
that used to runner spread into the veggies. hate that grass. of
course, plaintain grows best in compressed soil...
see, a "natural" lawn in my area isn't likely to have much actual
grass in it. grass, at least pretty, fine leaved grass, isn't really
a native plant. so, most of what i have is what Scott's would call
"broad leafed weeds". i could waste hundreds of dollars on weed
control, grass fertilizer, etc, but why? to grow something that isn't
natural? seems pretty silly to me.
also, fescues, which are a large proportion of lawn grasses, tend to
be host to a fungus that is extremely toxic to livestock. might not
seem like a problem in suburbia, but grasses seed & birds transport
those seeds....
lee

"enigma" wrote in message
(MICHELLE H.) wrote in

Every year, we try to do the cycle of Scotts Fertilizers on our
lawn ( Crabgrass Fertilizer, Weed Control Fertilizer,
Summerguard Fertilizer, Regular Fertilizer, and Winterguard
Fertilizer), and usually have no problems.

lovely. a chemical dependant unnatural lawn...

I'd consider myself extremely fortunate if I had anything that green and
that covers bare earth in midsummer. I always have brown by midsummer, but
since that is the natural cycle I'm not going to waste water trying to have
greeness.

I don't know the actual square feet of the lawn, but do know that it is
0.11 acres, and we used 2 full bags of 5,000 square foot Scotts "Weed
Control" fertilizer.

(MICHELLE H.) wrote in
:

I don't know the actual square feet of the lawn, but do know
that it is 0.11 acres, and we used 2 full bags of 5,000 square
foot Scotts "Weed Control" fertilizer.

0.11 acres is 4791.6 square feet, so you over fertilized & killed
your grass. if each bag was for 5000 square feet, you've *really* got
a problem now! i seriously hope you don't live anywhere near a pond
or stream, or an aquafer...
don't they teach reading comprehension and basic math in school
anymore? i was lacking sympathy when you called clover a "weed", but
dumping double the amount of fertilizer/weed killer on an area is
egregarious stupidity! you should be reported to the EPA.
sheesh.
lee

The entire yard/house is on 0.11 acres. The property measurements for
our entire lot/yard is 50 feet x 100 feet. We have 50 feet in front. 50
feet in back, and 100 feet on the sides of our property.


So thats it, its official, our Scotts Drop Spreader must have
malfunctioned, and even though it was set at 5.5, it must have came out
at like a 10 or 11!?


Well, I guess its going straight to the curb for trash pickup in a few
days, and we have to invest in a new one!!!


Everyone says to invest in a "rotary type" spreader, but is a "rotary
spreader" really that good for our SMALL lawn??? I always thought that
drop spreaders were good for small lawns, and rotary spreaders are
better for bigger lawns???

"MICHELLE H." wrote in message
...

So thats it, its official, our Scotts Drop Spreader must have
malfunctioned, and even though it was set at 5.5, it must have came out
at like a 10 or 11!?


It's the fault of bag instructions, it's the fault of the calendar, it's the
fault of the spreader, it's the fault of pretty much everything and everyone
else but your own? Mostly it's the fault of having your head buried so far
up the deep recesses of your ass that your brain has ceased to function. In
other words you are an irresponsible dumb ****.

"MICHELLE H." wrote in message
...
The entire yard/house is on 0.11 acres. The property measurements for
our entire lot/yard is 50 feet x 100 feet. We have 50 feet in front. 50
feet in back, and 100 feet on the sides of our property.


So thats it, its official, our Scotts Drop Spreader must have
malfunctioned, and even though it was set at 5.5, it must have came out
at like a 10 or 11!?


Well, I guess its going straight to the curb for trash pickup in a few
days, and we have to invest in a new one!!!


Everyone says to invest in a "rotary type" spreader, but is a "rotary
spreader" really that good for our SMALL lawn??? I always thought that
drop spreaders were good for small lawns, and rotary spreaders are
better for bigger lawns???

Get rid of the drop spreader, none of them work very well. For your size
lawn a hand held broadcast spreader is best.

"enigma" wrote in message
...
(MICHELLE H.) wrote in
:

I don't know the actual square feet of the lawn, but do know
that it is 0.11 acres, and we used 2 full bags of 5,000 square
foot Scotts "Weed Control" fertilizer.

0.11 acres is 4791.6 square feet, so you over fertilized & killed
your grass. if each bag was for 5000 square feet, you've *really* got
a problem now! i seriously hope you don't live anywhere near a pond
or stream, or an aquafer...
don't they teach reading comprehension and basic math in school
anymore? i was lacking sympathy when you called clover a "weed", but
dumping double the amount of fertilizer/weed killer on an area is
egregarious stupidity! you should be reported to the EPA.
sheesh.
lee

Why do you need to be such a negativeity pinhead (don't bother to answer, I
already know you are an ignoranus). It's obvious that the 0.11 acres
(gleaned from a tax plat or survey) is a small city/surburban lot, and is
the entire lot (house, driveway, walkways, patio, bedding plants, etc., and
lawn), so there's probably no more than 2,500 sq ft of actual lawn, likely
less. Not everyone lives on rural property with acres of lawn. With many
subdivisions and village properties one has no choice but to maintain a
"standard" lawn, and if not the elected officials will and charge the
property owner. To me it appears that this person is a lawn newbie and is
attempting to learn, why else would he post here for help. When chemicals
are applied properly they do no environmental harm. In this case the OP has
applied more than four times the recommended amount and probably
underwatered. The lawn is damaged but not destroyed. Water generously
every day without applying any more chemicals until the lawn revives. And
then continue with the Scott program (which also includes proper mowing) but
I would recommend applying no more than 1/2 the recommended quantity of
chemicals and only increase the amounts as one observes and learns how that
particular piece of ground responds... using lawn chemicals is exactly like
adding salt to stew. There is much to learn about growing lawns but when
chemicals are applied intelligently there are no negative aspects
whatsoever. Many, like myself, who have acres of lawn would also like to
keep a golf course lawn for at least a portion, but for the expense. I live
within walking distance of four major golf courses that each maintains
hundreds of acres of pristine lawn, when chemicals are properly applied
there is no negative environmental impact... just because you are totally
ignorant about lawns (and most everything) doesn't mean everyone else is.

In article ,
"brooklyn1" wrote:

In this case the OP has
applied more than four times the recommended amount and probably
underwatered. The lawn is damaged but not destroyed. Water generously
every day without applying any more chemicals until the lawn revives.

And where does this water take the chemferts? Where does the percolated,
or run off water go, Christian hater?
--

- Billy

There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who
learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and
find out for themselves.
Will Rogers

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/7/1/headlines#4
http://www.tomdispatch.com/p/zinn

Brooklyn1,


I just wanted to THANK YOU for all of the great info, you posted, I
really do appreciate it!! Also, you are very smart, as you do seem to
know about how a small city works!!!


First off, you are absolutely right about the 0.11 acres being the
entire lot ( house, driveway, sidewalks, lawn, etc, etc. ).


Second you are almost right about where the 0.11 acres came from, and
that is both from a tax bill/invoice, and our citys yearly home
assessment that they do.


Third, you are correct about the greedy elected officials and their
FINES against homeowners. In our city, we have whats known as "Code
Violations". The "Code Violations" can be anything from trash/debris in
your yard, lawn/tree/shrub overgrowth, peeling paint, unregistered
vehicle in driveway, building without a permit, fence violations, etc,
etc. Our city has a website, where people/neighbors can go to, and
ANONYMOUSLY report you for a "code violation", and then you get fined by
the city unless you fix the problem.


The rule in our city is that if your grass at least 6 inches tall or
higher, than you get a fine of $50 dollars A DAY, until the lawn is
mowed!!!!! Same goes for overgrown trees and shrubs/bushes.


Nice to see that there is somebody out there, who understands these
things!!! So thanks again for all the great info!!!!

"MICHELLE H." wrote in message
...
Brooklyn1,


I just wanted to THANK YOU for all of the great info, you posted, I
really do appreciate it!! Also, you are very smart, as you do seem to
know about how a small city works!!!


First off, you are absolutely right about the 0.11 acres being the
entire lot ( house, driveway, sidewalks, lawn, etc, etc. ).


Second you are almost right about where the 0.11 acres came from, and
that is both from a tax bill/invoice, and our citys yearly home
assessment that they do.


Third, you are correct about the greedy elected officials and their
FINES against homeowners. In our city, we have whats known as "Code
Violations". The "Code Violations" can be anything from trash/debris in
your yard, lawn/tree/shrub overgrowth, peeling paint, unregistered
vehicle in driveway, building without a permit, fence violations, etc,
etc. Our city has a website, where people/neighbors can go to, and
ANONYMOUSLY report you for a "code violation", and then you get fined by
the city unless you fix the problem.


The rule in our city is that if your grass at least 6 inches tall or
higher, than you get a fine of $50 dollars A DAY, until the lawn is
mowed!!!!! Same goes for overgrown trees and shrubs/bushes.


Nice to see that there is somebody out there, who understands these
things!!! So thanks again for all the great info!!!!

Glad to be of help. Practically all municipalities in the US have zoning
and code laws and do employ zoning and code enforcement officers. Zoning is
typically enforced because zoning is very closely tied to insurance
regulations, but code enforcement is very subjective, especially in smaller
communities because there nepotism runs rampant; as you note all the gossipy
ratting on each other. Code enforcement officers usually have regular
employment and do their code violation inspections as a side job, whereas
code officers aren't compensated very well so payola is the norm.