Landscaping/Gardening Thread.

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Naw, it's fine, just don't cut it to short. I usually do mine with raking leaves around now.

I thought you're suppose to cut it short before winter?

[Fuzz]

There is a persistent rumour going around that cutting your lawn extremely short before the winter is beneficial, or even necessary to avoid growing mould under the snow. (I also think that many people think somehow that cutting extra short will somehow turn your lawn mower into a leaf-sucking vacuum cleaner??) This seems to arise from a misunderstanding about the plant health problems lawn debris can cause if left over the winter. Some people seem to think that leaving ‘long’ grass leaf blades on your lawn will invite the same mould problems a carpet of tree leaves would.
But the lawn mowing mantra we repeat all summer – two and a half to three inches for best grass health – is true even in the fall. There is never a valid time to mow down bluegrass, ryegrass or fescues shorter than their ideal healthy height.

more:

https://lawnsavers.com/blog/fall-lawn-mowing-myths/

[rohara66]

Well ####.



I just cut mine, dropped down 1 notch from my typical cut. Oh well haha.

[Fuzz]

(I also think that many people think somehow that cutting extra short will somehow turn your lawn mower into a leaf-sucking vacuum cleaner??)

I don't get that bit...I leave my deck high and use it as a leaf sucking vacuum cleaner, it works great. Sure, you have to stop lots, but it sure beats raking! I keep the green bin nearby and just dump my catch bag into it. About to do that right now. Or I would do it that way, if the city had bothered to empty the clay I dumped in there last week. For some reason they didn't bother grabbing my bin. I pay good taxes, dammit!

[surferguy]

They know your tricks now, they can see the sides of your cart bulging from the end of the alley. They are tired of replacing the shocks on the truck every week.

Heard quoted in the truck as they drive by: #### that guy.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by surferguy

They know your tricks now, they can see the sides of your cart bulging from the end of the alley. They are tired of replacing the shocks on the truck every week.

Heard quoted in the truck as they drive by: #### that guy.

I'm just following the rules, man. If they don't want clay, they should say no clay. Otherwise they get clay.

[Superflyer]

So when are you supposed to rake your lawn to get all the dead stuff up? There are multiple people in my neighborhood doing this but I think it may be a little early.

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by Superflyer

So when are you supposed to rake your lawn to get all the dead stuff up? There are multiple people in my neighborhood doing this but I think it may be a little early.

As soon as its dry you can rake your lawn.

[btimbit]

I thought I read/heard you should wait until the overnight low is staying above 5 degrees consistently

I have zero relevant facts or sources to back this up though

[troutman]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I thought I read/heard you should wait until the overnight low is staying above 5 degrees consistently

I have zero relevant facts or sources to back this up though

We were talking in the weather thread about this - some suggest waiting until it is 10 C overnight - this is to protect the useful bugs and pollinators that are hibernating under your grass and leaves. Bees, for example.

https://www.gardenfundamentals.com/s...leanup-advice/

In early spring insects are still in diapause (a state similar to hibernation). They are alive, but not moving. A little digging and you may find bees in the soil that are still waiting for warm weather. This is a time to leave them alone. If you must move garden material, do it gently and place it somewhere so that insects can get out as they warm up.

https://savvygardening.com/spring-ga...an-done-right/

[hixxes]

10C overnight is a pretty small window in Calgary.

[Torture]

Wife is taking a course from Calgary Horticultural Society and they said soil should be warm for a few weeks so that the hibernating Lady bugs, bees, etc move on.
Based on this year, end of April would probably be reasonable.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by hixxes

10C overnight is a pretty small window in Calgary.

That's about 4 days in July!

[Fuzz]

I really really despise digging up caragana bushes. One down, 9 to go...sigh.

[Fuzz]

Still 9 to go, but I got the taters in the ground! That was more rewarding/easier.

[rohara66]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Well ####.

I just cut mine, dropped down 1 notch from my typical cut. Oh well haha.

Guess I didn't cut my lawn short enough... voles destroyed my front lawn.

[rohara66]

Also is it too early to be watering (slow soak) our trees and shrubs?

[calgarywinning]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Guess I didn't cut my lawn short enough... voles destroyed my front lawn.

Best way is to deal with the voles; then topsoil and seed I guess.

They got me bad this year and all I saw was one hole after the fall cleaning.

[14]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Also is it too early to be watering (slow soak) our trees and shrubs?

I wouldn’t. There is no value in it as the ground is still frozen in many spots a few inches down. Soaking is best in the Fall. If you feel you need to do it I suggest waiting a few more weeks.

[Slava]

Anyone here done concrete curbing? I'm kind of debating an edging solution and am not sure which way to go. I'm just wondering about a ballpark cost for this and of course if you have someone you recommend/don't recommend.