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Yard still recovering from hurricane Ike
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Author:  countryboymom [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 12:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Yard still recovering from hurricane Ike

When Ike blew through last September, he tossed our back porch roof over the house, pulling the metal roof up as it went and draping it over into the front yard, where it sat for a couple of months. Then the contractors disassemble it and stacked the sheets in another part of the yard, where it stayed for too long. As a result, we have patches in our yard where the StAugustine grass has been killed and now there are weeds. I considered applying corn gluten meal early in the spring, but it didn't happen. The free-range hens have enjoyed the chick-weed, but I would rather have my grass back. It is a large yard, so I don't water, and it usually grows thick enough to keep us mowing and composting all summer. A "deep watering" is when I do all the laundry in one day and the aerobic septic tank fills up and waters it thoroughly.
I am hoping that the rising temperatures will kill off the chickweed, and the San Augustine will grow in faster than the dollar weed and other summer undesirables. I have to battle to keep the St Augustine out of my planting beds, so I am hoping it will be equally aggresive in the yard, although it is a fairly large area so I may have to put in some plugs for it to spread from.
I spread some organic fertilizer and greensand that I had on hand, but have to time my granular applications (especially dry molasses) carefully or the chickens feast on it.
I have thought about a hose-end sprayer for liquid applications, but last time I tried that I had trouble with the math.
Any comments/suggestions?

Author:  user_48634 [ Fri May 01, 2009 11:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Yard still recovering from hurricane Ike

No matter how many plugs or pieces you use, St Augustine will always lose to broad leafed weeds. The only exception I've seen is dandelion and that only dies if your St Aug is well watered and mowed at the mower's highest setting. You'll have to pull or hoe out the weeds you don't want in there.

Without reliable water I'm not sure how to help you. Mow at your mower's highest setting and fertilize regularly.

Author:  countryboymom [ Mon May 04, 2009 8:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Yard still recovering from hurricane Ike

Thanks for the reply. I can move a hose-end sprinkler around the damaged areas while it recovers, (and realize this is necessary to get any plugs or sod going) and started doing that this weekend. Under normal conditions, the septic system sprayers keep the grass amazingly green, especially in contrast to the other yard areas in the heat of summer, even though it is chlorine-treated. There are 5 of us, so between laundry, dishes, bathing and flushing we use a pretty good amt of water.
I noticed that the St. Augustine is creeping back in, along with the bermuda that competes for my flower beds. I prefer the bermuda to the weeds, but am hoping the St Augustine will win over the bermuda?? I thought about trying to hoe out the chickweed and the dollar-weed that is starting to show up, but was afraid I would disrupt the grass that is trying to grow (pull up wheat with the tares, to put it Biblically). I also found a hose-end bottle of organic lawn fertilizer - don't remember the brand or ingredients (Nature's something with molasses and other goodies I've read about in Dr. Garrett's writings), so will make use of that tomorrow.
I was hoping to have a picture of the hens feasting on the chickweed, but they scattered when I went to get the camera.

Author:  user_48634 [ Tue May 12, 2009 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Yard still recovering from hurricane Ike

If you keep the St Augustine watered and mowed at the mower's highest setting, it will win over bermuda. If you ever let the St Aug go dry, the bermuda will return rapidly. Once per week watering in the heat of summer should be enough if you can water it deep enough.

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