Fall Lawn Fertilizing - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Mike Oxlong · 10-02-2006, 03:23 PM

Are there any landscaping specialists out there on CP?

I laid the sod at my place this summer about mid July. So far it has come in quite nicely with the exception of a few spots and the odd weed.

I guess I have 2 questions.

1. Should I be fertalizing the lawn in the fall? I know Scott's is always advertising to fertilize in the fall so your grass comes back stronger in the spring. Someone told me that my grass is too new to be fertilized. So I am wondering if I will do any damage to it.

If I should be fertilizing is there a good time to do it? Like just after or before rain. Does it need moisture?

Does anyone here fertilize in the fall and do you notice a big difference in the spring?

Any other tips or advice is appreciated.

2. Like I mentioned before I have a weed problem in certain areas (due to my neighbour not controlling his weeds and them blowing in my yard). What do you guys find is the most effective weed control that doesn't kill the grass along with it?

Jayems · 10-02-2006, 03:27 PM

You want to fertilize after your grass has stopped growing, but before it freezes. Most people get this done in a package when irrigation companies come and blow out your sprinklers for the winter.

Now is probably a good time, but you have pretty much until late october to do so, should you decide to do it.

When your sod was laid, it should of had a fertilizer underneath in the soil. It won't hurt your grass to put some on for the winter.

It basically just gives the grass some "food" for when the spring comes and kickstarts the grass or something to that effect.

ken0042 · 10-02-2006, 03:33 PM

1. I moved into my house last spring. The pervious owner apparently didn't care about the brand new lawn and it showed. Last fall I put on the Scott's fall fertilizer, as well as spread a bunch of seed. The lawn came in beautiful this year.

I would wait though until the grass is a little more brown. No need to water; the snow will take care of that for you.

Shazam · 10-02-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Like I mentioned before I have a weed problem in certain areas (due to my neighbour not controlling his weeds and them blowing in my yard). What do you guys find is the most effective weed control that doesn't kill the grass along with it?

Purchase corn gluten meal. It's totally organic, is nontoxic to humans and animals, is also a fertilizer, doesn't burn and is just as effective as chemical weed products. It reduces weeds by inhibiting seed germination.

Community Natural Foods has it, as does Home Depot apparently.

Bobblehead · 10-02-2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Oxlong

2. Like I mentioned before I have a weed problem in certain areas (due to my neighbour not controlling his weeds and them blowing in my yard). What do you guys find is the most effective weed control that doesn't kill the grass along with it?

I can sympathize - my neighbour had their lawn cut twice this year and not since mid-June. (last year they tried to cut the lawn once - the lawnmower made it half way, died, and it laid there on its side for the rest of the summer). My lawn is undergoing a constant assault from the west as the thistles try to work across from the fence line.

Jayems · 10-02-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

I can sympathize - my neighbour had their lawn cut twice this year and not since mid-June. (last year they tried to cut the lawn once - the lawnmower made it half way, died, and it laid there on its side for the rest of the summer). My lawn is undergoing a constant assault from the west as the thistles try to work across from the fence line.

You know you can call the city, and they'll send a warning. If they do not cut their grass, the city comes and does it, and sends them a bill.

Bobblehead · 10-02-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayems

You know you can call the city, and they'll send a warning. If they do not cut their grass, the city comes and does it, and sends them a bill.

Yeah, I know. I just don't really want to create bad blood. Although they have just started dropping garbage in their back parking spot, so something will need to be done.

There is a teenage son there too, and it isn't like it is a large yard. I can cut my equivalent sized yard with a reel mower in 25-30 minutes.

V · 10-02-2006, 04:48 PM

Fertilizing just means I have to cut my grass more often. No thanks.

return to the red · 10-02-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

Fertilizing just means I have to cut my grass more often. No thanks.

I hear that

If you want to have the first green lawn in the spring then by all means fertilize away. You have a brand new lawn so it's not like it needs any help. I usually lay down a fertilizing in the spring and then every two months after and it keeps my lawn lush and looking like a golf course.

That being said though it's easier with underground irrigation and the fact that being in the industry my wife says i'm a little bit of psycho when it comes to our grass

Mike Oxlong · 10-02-2006, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

Fertilizing just means I have to cut my grass more often. No thanks.

Good point. I am no fan of cutting the grass but I do really like to have a good looking lawn. That deep green golf course look is great. I am hoping the fertilizer will help get that full deep green look.

return to the red · 10-02-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Oxlong

Good point. I am no fan of cutting the grass but I do really like to have a good looking lawn. That deep green golf course look is great. I am hoping the fertilizer will help get that full deep green look.

your watering schedule is just as important as fertilizing for the desired effect you want to achieve approx. an inch net of water per week is the recommendation

Ironhorse · 10-02-2006, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

Fertilizing just means I have to cut my grass more often. No thanks.

But it also promotes a healthier, lusher lawn which will in turn make it much tougher for weeds (from the neighbours

) to establish themselves.

V · 10-02-2006, 10:29 PM

I've never been one to really care what the lawn looks like, so I'm not just lazy about it. I just don't see the point. We do live in Calgary, after all, why fight the brown??

To be clear, I do keep the lawn trim, so it's not like I look like the evil neighbour with dandelions all over the place, and 2 feet of grass, but I've never cared what colour it is. Not to mention, the kid destroys the back lawn, so there's no point in getting that nice and pretty.

Jayems · 10-02-2006, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

I've never been one to really care what the lawn looks like, so I'm not just lazy about it. I just don't see the point. We do live in Calgary, after all, why fight the brown??

To be clear, I do keep the lawn trim, so it's not like I look like the evil neighbour with dandelions all over the place, and 2 feet of grass, but I've never cared what colour it is. Not to mention, the kid destroys the back lawn, so there's no point in getting that nice and pretty.

You'd be suprised in how much people want to "one up" their neighbours. They have to have the best lawn, the best landscaping, the best everything, or should i say "better". They can be best friends with next door, but they'll pay thousands and thousands to have their house look better just in spite of them. Maybe "in spite" is the wrong saying, but you know what i mean?

Its really weird what people and too much money do.

return to the red · 10-03-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayems

You'd be suprised in how much people want to "one up" their neighbours. They have to have the best lawn, the best landscaping, the best everything, or should i say "better". They can be best friends with next door, but they'll pay thousands and thousands to have their house look better just in spite of them. Maybe "in spite" is the wrong saying, but you know what i mean?

Its really weird what people and too much money do.

Yes but wouldn't your prefer having people over and you yourself enjoying your yard?

It may be about one-uping your neighbor but it's also about enjoying it yourself

V · 10-03-2006, 10:15 AM

What's there to enjoy? It's grass. I enjoy sitting on my patio bbqing up some steaks and drinking beer, but I don't need green grass or really fancy landscaping to enhance the experience.

return to the red · 10-03-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

What's there to enjoy? It's grass. I enjoy sitting on my patio bbqing up some steaks and drinking beer, but I don't need green grass or really fancy landscaping to enhance the experience.

To each their own I guess

ken0042 · 10-03-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayems

You'd be suprised in how much people want to "one up" their neighbours. They have to have the best lawn, the best landscaping, .....

Yes, but having that to a certain extent can be quite healthy. We have a little bit of friendly competition between the neighbours; but not so much so that somebody won't help the other guy out. The end result is a nice looking neighbourhood.

Mike Oxlong · 10-03-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken

What's there to enjoy? It's grass. I enjoy sitting on my patio bbqing up some steaks and drinking beer, but I don't need green grass or really fancy landscaping to enhance the experience.

I agree with RTTR. To each their own.
Some people just take pride in their lawn and the way it looks. I don't think it is neccesarily to "one up" the neighbours. They simply like looking at a nice lush, green lawn and they know it looks like that as a result of the time and effort they put into it.

Other people don't care if it is brown or green. Different Strokes for different folks....

return to the red · 10-03-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Yes, but having that to a certain extent can be quite healthy. We have a little bit of friendly competition between the neighbours; but not so much so that somebody won't help the other guy out. The end result is a nice looking neighbourhood.

I wish this was the case in my neighbourhood! I have concrete guys across the street, one beside me and student houses all around...in short my neighbourhood looks like a war zone!

This is the driving factor why we have spent the extra money and purchased a lot and building in a higher end development (Top of Paradise Canyon If anyone knows the Lethbridge area)

It's frustrates the hell out of my wife and I

P.S. If you ever go to sell a nice yard can lead to a quick sale and some extra bucks