The Lawn Care Thread

[Crystallas]

How big is your yard? Mine is a decent size (I have a corner lot), but whenever I've gotten it aerated I've never paid more than $150, and that was with seeding.

This is an important distinction. Did you pay for non-core aeration or core aeration? $150 is a great price IMO if you had core aeration + seeding.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Core aeration.

But to be clear, I *think* the guy who owns the company has always given me a break because he used to do the work for the woman who used to live in my house. Dude talked my ear off about it for 30 minutes.

 

[Crystallas]

Core aeration.

But to be clear, I *think* the guy who owns the company has always given me a break because he used to do the work for the woman who used to live in my house. Dude talked my ear off about it for 30 minutes.

Why not? LOL

As long as it wasn't a bam-chicka-wowow discount, and he expected payment in the future, it's all good.

So all this hyping core-aeration, and you're still having lawn issues? Other than broadcasting topsoil to build the turf, I can't think of any one trick that I have seen save more lawns. Not to say I would shot the messenger if someone said it didn't work for them, just more surprised.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

(sorry for not quoting, for some reason whenever I post from my work laptop it won't let me do that)

Frankly, I've been lazy the last couple of years. I"m also starting to realize that all of the work/effort I've put in the past has been for nothing because I didn't identify the correct things to do. I'd also say with some of my neighbors having great lawns I don't want to be that one ****** on the block that only mows his lawn. There are a few like that and I want to make sure nobody lumps me in as the same group.

Plus, I'm getting married in a few months and focusing my attention on this keeps me out of bridezilla's arm reach.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

It's hard work, even with a machine. Depending on your lawn size, I'd say that is on the cheap end for a contractor estimate.

How big is your yard? Mine is a decent size (I have a corner lot), but whenever I've gotten it aerated I've never paid more than $150, and that was with seeding.

I have a corner lot as well, but my yard isn't huge. I also didn't have them overseed - just straight aerate. Overseed would do nothing as they are putting down pre-emergent that would prevent seed growth. My yard is only a year old. Had sod put in when I built the house last year and starting a new yard is difficult shit. Alot more difficult then I thought. I really fucked up by not aerating/overseeding last fall. My soil is dog shit and is definitely compacted from the construction which is why I think I've had trouble in some areas. Hopefully this aerate helps thicken up the lawn and in the fall I'll aerate/overseed again for a nice lush lawn next spring. Lol its a process.

 

[Crystallas]

Congrats on the engagement.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Thank you Crys!

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

My yard is only a year old.

Ahh, that makes sense (as per the things I'm reading from smarter people). As mentioned there was an older lady who apparently did/had a lot of work done to the yard. She sold the house to a couple that other neighbors have told me didn't do anything with the yard. Then comes me, who apparently was farting in the wind for a few years and am now just realizing that I should look for advice.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

It's hard work, even with a machine. Depending on your lawn size, I'd say that is on the cheap end for a contractor estimate.

How big is your yard? Mine is a decent size (I have a corner lot), but whenever I've gotten it aerated I've never paid more than $150, and that was with seeding.

Ahh, that makes sense (as per the things I'm reading from smarter people). As mentioned there was an older lady who apparently did/had a lot of work done to the yard. She sold the house to a couple that other neighbors have told me didn't do anything with the yard. Then comes me, who apparently was farting in the wind for a few years and am now just realizing that I should look for advice.

My next door neighbors mow their yard like once a month and it looks way better then mine. I've legit never seen them do anything to it. Pretty sure they are about to foreclose but thats a different story. Pisses me off lol. I've spend so much time watering, thatching, seeding, etc just to have a nice lush green lawn. I think people take for granted their nice well-established lawns.

 

[Crystallas]

My next door neighbors mow their yard like once a month and it looks way better then mine. I've legit never seen them do anything to it. Pretty sure they are about to foreclose but thats a different story. Pisses me off lol. I've spend so much time watering, thatching, seeding, etc just to have a nice lush green lawn. I think people take for granted their nice well-established lawns.

Grass is always greener

;D


I don't do as much as I used to do. I gave my gas mower to family and bought a two-pass reel mower. One, its not that much work, and Two, I've been quietly shrinking my lawn with other landscaping items over the last five years on purpose. Landscaping stones and small shrubbery = a LOT LESS to mow and maintain. Also, slightly better air purification output in the summer and grass does next to nothing as far as carbon consumption in the cooler months compared to a softwood and/or many shrubs.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

I don't do as much as I used to do. I gave my gas mower to family and bought a two-pass reel mower. One, its not that much work, and Two, I've been quietly shrinking my lawn with other landscaping items over the last five years on purpose. Landscaping stones and small shrubbery = a LOT LESS to mow and maintain. Also, slightly better air purification output in the summer and grass does next to nothing as far as carbon consumption in the cooler months compared to a softwood and/or many shrubs.

That's an interesting theory that I've never really thought of. Since my house is new, I have quite a few areas that I could do landscaping around the house to get rid of grass area. I've done the front and side so far, but have been contemplating doing some in the back of my house around the A/C unit. I'm on a corner lot and the A/C unit faces the road and hurts the curb appeal lol.

What kind of shrubs do you recommend? I prefer hardy perennials and that can survive in zone 4.

 

[gpphat]

this past fall I did an aeration and seeding to my front lawn. it had a ton of weeds and wasn't that green. Just doing that made a world of difference. My neighbor who meticulously takes care of his lawn has been complimenting mine. My backyard is a lost cause with 3 dogs, but my young beagle has disposed of 4 moles so that's a good thing.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

this past fall I did an aeration and seeding to my front lawn. it had a ton of weeds and wasn't that green. Just doing that made a world of difference. My neighbor who meticulously takes care of his lawn has been complimenting mine. My backyard is a lost cause with 3 dogs, but my young beagle has disposed of 4 moles so that's a good thing.

How long until you saw some results with your aerate?

 

[gpphat]

Here in VA, late September to mid October is when they suggest aerating and seeding. Had it done mid October so I wouldn't have to worry about cutting the grass. By the end of the month you could see the new grass and could tell a difference. This spring when the grass started growing again is when I noticed it the most, so I would say you will probably notice a difference within a few weeks.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

Here in VA, late September to mid October is when they suggest aerating and seeding. Had it done mid October so I wouldn't have to worry about cutting the grass. By the end of the month you could see the new grass and could tell a difference. This spring when the grass started growing again is when I noticed it the most, so I would say you will probably notice a difference within a few weeks.

I had someone aerate this spring, but didn't put seed down because of the pre emergent they are putting down currently. It's the first time I've had it aerated since moving in. I will likely do it again in the fall and have them overseed then so hopefully next spring it looks full. New lawns are such a *****.

 

[gpphat]

I had someone aerate this spring, but didn't put seed down because of the pre emergent they are putting down currently. It's the first time I've had it aerated since moving in. I will likely do it again in the fall and have them overseed then so hopefully next spring it looks full. New lawns are such a *****.

I think the overseed in the fall is what helped minimize the weeds.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

So if this worked, this is what I'm dealing with. As you can see, it's pretty patchy with some weeds in the grass. Here's my plan:
1. Within sections, I'm going to use a thatch rake I bought and pull up as much as I can.
2. I'm going to cut those weeds out.
3. Throw down some compost.
4. Some all season fertilizer.
5. Heavily throw down some seed.
6. Water, water, water
7. Core aeration in the fall.

 

[Crystallas]

That's an interesting theory that I've never really thought of. Since my house is new, I have quite a few areas that I could do landscaping around the house to get rid of grass area. I've done the front and side so far, but have been contemplating doing some in the back of my house around the A/C unit. I'm on a corner lot and the A/C unit faces the road and hurts the curb appeal lol.

What kind of shrubs do you recommend? I prefer hardy perennials and that can survive in zone 4.

Unfortunately it's just complex in general. So to simplify, I would likely follow certain steps like this:

I prefer evergreen types. Your on the right track with hardiness next I cross reference with potential allergens. Then you consider your top layer and how much rooting space you need. This should narrow it down for you to 2-3 realistic choices. The only other factor would be nesting and pest attraction/deterrent. So like anything greenthumb, you want to Ballance that equation similar to how nature does. If you plant a lot of things that attract one pest, plant something that also acts as a deterrent.

 

[Crystallas]

View attachment 2415View attachment 2415

So if this worked, this is what I'm dealing with. As you can see, it's pretty patchy with some weeds in the grass. Here's my plan:
1. Within sections, I'm going to use a thatch rake I bought and pull up as much as I can.
2. I'm going to cut those weeds out.
3. Throw down some compost.
4. Some all season fertilizer.
5. Heavily throw down some seed.
6. Water, water, water
7. Core aeration in the fall.

You're stressing over that? Meh. Build the topsoil, weed and seed. We've had 5 frosts this year in the area, so that is what 95% of 'good' lawns look like.

Unless you want that golf course look with an award winning lawn(from people who give out imaginary awards). Whatever you're doing, it's looking fine to me.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

You're stressing over that? Meh. Build the topsoil, weed and seed. We've had 5 frosts this year in the area, so that is what 95% of 'good' lawns look like.

Unless you want that golf course look with an award winning lawn(from people who give out imaginary awards). Whatever you're doing, it's looking fine to me.

Thanks? I think it looks like shit personally. I'm very unhappy with it.