Landscaping questions (house, buy, costs)

[FLtoNC]

I have a wooded area behind my house with weeds growing out of control (including poison ivy) after I spent weeks trying to clean the area up. We put down granules to control the weeds, but they do not seem to be helping. It is a large area, and I am considering putting down pine needles after I get the weeds under control. If I do this, what happens in the winter when the leaves fall? Is there an easy way to rake up the leaves without disturbing the pine needles which would be laying underneath? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for curbing the weeds/overgrowth in this area, especially the poison ivy?

Another question I have is about seeding. We had our backyard graded recently (it has a sloping hill), matting & straw put down, and seeded. The grass is starting to grow in some areas, but not in others. The matting is there to control erosion, but it seems like it would have to be removed to get the grass to grow. Does this seem logical? Any suggestions to get the grass to grow back there quicker - maybe aerating & reseeding?

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by FLtoNC

I have a wooded area behind my house with weeds growing out of control (including poison ivy) after I spent weeks trying to clean the area up. We put down granules to control the weeds, but they do not seem to be helping. It is a large area, and I am considering putting down pine needles after I get the weeds under control. If I do this, what happens in the winter when the leaves fall? Is there an easy way to rake up the leaves without disturbing the pine needles which would be laying underneath? Also, does anyone have any suggestions for curbing the weeds/overgrowth in this area, especially the poison ivy?

Another question I have is about seeding. We had our backyard graded recently (it has a sloping hill), matting & straw put down, and seeded. The grass is starting to grow in some areas, but not in others. The matting is there to control erosion, but it seems like it would have to be removed to get the grass to grow. Does this seem logical? Any suggestions to get the grass to grow back there quicker - maybe aerating & reseeding?

To get rid of poison ivy, I use Brush Be Gone. Keep away from it after it dies for 1 year. Then pull it out.

[FLtoNC]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

To get rid of poison ivy, I use Brush Be Gone. Keep away from it after it dies for 1 year. Then pull it out.

Where do you get this? Is it something you spray on or is it granular? Will it work on all the other overgrown weeds too?

[yrgm]

Originally Posted by southbound_295

To get rid of poison ivy, I use Brush Be Gone. Keep away from it after it dies for 1 year. Then pull it out.

Will it kill the trees?

[NCyank]

We use a spray on herbicide for brush and ivy (can't think of the name right off). The area has been cleared for a year and we are still spraying monthly. Our neighbors, who have had their brush cleared for several years, only have to spray a few times a year. None of us use pine needles, the leaves make enough of a ground cover.

[CouponJack]

Forget about growing grass now...the days are getting too warm and you'd have to constantly water it to get it in somewhat full.....you're wasting good money...


Wait till mid-late september/ early october when the days are cooler..

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by yrgm

Will it kill the trees?

No.

A lot behind me used to be wooded. I'm constantly fighting poison ivy & Virginia Creeper. RoundUp (& similar versions) works well if I fnid them when the vines are small. If they get in an area where I miss it, They will come back. Brush Be Gone costs more but is cheaper in the long run. It will kill the vine with one application. If it gets on the tree trunk don't worry.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by FLtoNC

Where do you get this? Is it something you spray on or is it granular? Will it work on all the other overgrown weeds too?

It's a spray that can be bought at the garden centers. Use RoundUp or the Bayer version of RoundUp for the regular weeds. Read the instructions for application timing(how long before rain).

[Weedydidi]

You can buy Brush b Gone in a concentrated form and then buy a sprayer that attaches to your hose. Lowes, Home Depot, or any garden center should have them. That way you can spray a large area and you don't have to pump anything or pull any triggers over and over and over. It is the ONLY thing that worked on our poison ivy (we had vines that were over two inches thick).

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Weedydidi

You can buy Brush b Gone in a concentrated form and then buy a sprayer that attaches to your hose. Lowes, Home Depot, or any garden center should have them. That way you can spray a large area and you don't have to pump anything or pull any triggers over and over and over. It is the ONLY thing that worked on our poison ivy (we had vines that were over two inches thick).

I've just used the ready-mix because you have more control of it, but then mine wasn't 2 inches thick.