Anyone else have a lot of clover and crabgrass? (how much, to buy)

[jzinckgra]

We have a fairly high maintainence lawn, with half being sod and the other half seed. Looked real good last year, but this year there is a lot of clover showing up as well as crabgrass.

Interestingly, I used some Lesco brand fertilizer with crabgrass preventer back in early May and they're still popping up. I've also got some weird mini-cacti growing, that have some spiny-like protrusions. Anyone know what those are?

[maureenb]

New lawns often look their best the first year, and the following year, not as good. Grass seed is made up of both annual and perennial grasses (and other stuff). Annual grasses make the lawn fuller, but need to have reseeded successfully to keep going. If they haven't, or aren't, overseeding in the spring (or even fall) is common. Water deep & not too often. Mow high - 3" Unless you know otherwise, assume your grass is drawing its nutrients from a mere suggestion of a layer of loam of unknown pH. Top dressing with composted material is the nicest thing you can do for your new lawn.

Personally, I am not into broadcasting or spraying toxic chemicals anywhere kids/grownups/chickens/dogs/cats/etc. might be lounging about or actually sticking the grass in their mouths (kids/chickens/cats/dogs). Besides, there's the whole groundwater/runoff thing...But, this is just me. Corn gluten is supposed to be a good organic "alternative" pre-emergent weed control. Sod has its own set of requirements; I'm not sure how misc. chems affect its rooting process.

How much crabgrass do you have? I use a dandelion fork and pluck out any big clumps of crabgrass or other weeds that are bugging me in new lawns. I get over this quickly; weeds don't look so bad after all.

That prickly weed you are asking about is maybe stinging nettle or another in the nettle family. Too much clover? I sometimes wonder why clover is considered undesirable. It has just come into bloom the past couple of weeks. I like to mow high enough to leave the flowers for the bees.

A biologist friend says that grass needs a certain amount of weeds - it's that biodiversity thing. I'm going with what he says.

Good luck!

[AustinB]

If it weren't for the weeds and crabgrass, I wouldn't have a lawn in August.

[retiredtinbender]

Exactly. If it weren't for the dandylions I wouldn't know when to mow.

A friend of mine used Scott's Turfbuilder one year to clear out clover. His lawn was mostly clover (90%). Killed the clover and crabgrass and his lawn looked terrible for about 3 weeks. Then it came back dang near perfect. Except that he had to mow twice a week instead of once. You can't please some people.

My suggestion os just mow it. This ain't Vinings or Buckhead.

[hlmagan]

Do the cactus things grow flat to the ground? If so, they may be bull thistle. Very painful if stepped on...trust me on that

[elston]

I love the clover.....I seeded heavily with white clover and really enjoy it.....the crab grass is another story and it really can get out of control.....but I dont use any chemicals on the lawn....most of the season it looks good. The leach field is under the front lawn and like Maureen said.....the layer of loam over the sand....cant be thick enough and the grass there tends to be weak and to burn easily......will be doing some top dressing this fall.

[Maine Writer]

Putting on my farmer hat. Weeds aren't a problem, they're a symptom. Think about the soil. What does it lack that grass needs to grow but weeds thrive without?

[tcrackly]

Sorry I can't help you , OP. I live in a sandy, lightly forested area with virtually no topsoil. If it's green , non-poisonous, and low growing, I'm gonna mow it and call it lawn. I try to work in cinjunction with Mother Nature. Trying to maintain a golf green is not my cup of tea.

[chaosX5]

Originally Posted by maureenb

New lawns often look their best the first year, and the following year, not as good. Grass seed is made up of both annual and perennial grasses (and other stuff). Annual grasses make the lawn fuller, but need to have reseeded successfully to keep going. If they haven't, or aren't, overseeding in the spring (or even fall) is common. Water deep & not too often. Mow high - 3" Unless you know otherwise, assume your grass is drawing its nutrients from a mere suggestion of a layer of loam of unknown pH. Top dressing with composted material is the nicest thing you can do for your new lawn.

Personally, I am not into broadcasting or spraying toxic chemicals anywhere kids/grownups/chickens/dogs/cats/etc. might be lounging about or actually sticking the grass in their mouths (kids/chickens/cats/dogs). Besides, there's the whole groundwater/runoff thing...But, this is just me. Corn gluten is supposed to be a good organic "alternative" pre-emergent weed control. Sod has its own set of requirements; I'm not sure how misc. chems affect its rooting process.

How much crabgrass do you have? I use a dandelion fork and pluck out any big clumps of crabgrass or other weeds that are bugging me in new lawns. I get over this quickly; weeds don't look so bad after all.

That prickly weed you are asking about is maybe stinging nettle or another in the nettle family. Too much clover? I sometimes wonder why clover is considered undesirable. It has just come into bloom the past couple of weeks. I like to mow high enough to leave the flowers for the bees.

A biologist friend says that grass needs a certain amount of weeds - it's that biodiversity thing. I'm going with what he says.

Good luck!

Yes, I think clover is pretty too! Bees do love it.........but if you have young children playing in the lawn/clover they'll get stung. This is the voice of experience talking

Clover does look green and grass like when you mow it, but it will have to cut more often to keep the flowers at bay..........(if you need to)

[maureenb]

Great thread! Great responses! I haven't figured out how to use the multi-quote thingy, but wanted to say that Tinbender, I'm with you on the dandelions thing...they tell me when & where to mow!

Mainewriter is 100% right about the soil being the most important factor in maintaining a nice lawn. Bare spots & really weedy patches especially need to be amended.

tcrackly...one of my jobs is to mow this place that is really a field. Each week feels like I'm bushhogging, not mowing. But once the green stuff that's growing is knocked down to the same height, it looks like a Scott's advertisement!

And chaos...you are absolutely right about clover...insensitive of me not to have considered bees & wee ones in my clover comment. For the same reason, I stopped planting too near to mailboxes...mailpeople have enough to contend with without diving through bees to deliver!

I definitely want to check into corn gluten. It would be nice to buy corn gluten that's not "special" for lawns...just a bag of corn gluten...maybe at Tractor Supply?