New Here. Just got a house

[MikesChevelle]

So we moved in this winter and now just did my first cut of the year, clover here and there, my main concern is dandelions and over all lawn look.

here are my concerns to which i am looking for advice on.

1. the majority of my lawn is still dormant, so i am going to go with it being zoysia. the rest i am thinking is fescue and blue. My concern is the rate of growth between what i have. I hate cutting the grass and 3 days later it looks like crap because some spots are taller than others.

2. my small patches of clover are pretty thick. once the zoysia wakes up, will it grow trough the clover?

3. Bumps in the yard. My yard kinda has a ''fat person leg" look. there are small patches where the ground is a few inches of a dip.

I know its early and the Zoysia needs to wake up, but i want to see if there is anything i should be doing?

I can take some pictures of my lawn if needed.


BTW last week i scotts with weed n feeded my lawn, when should i reapply it?

[MikesChevelle]

wow no one even wants to say hi?

[mnglocker]

Howdy 'partna. :D

If you put in a location so some of the LCO's may get an idea of where you are it would help to figure out what's up with your yard.

[MikesChevelle]

im in St. Louis thanks

[White Gardens]

Take soil samples first to know what you need to put down for fertilizer.

After that a good dose of fert will help even the growth of the lawn, especially in the early months.

As for the bumps, you could rent a small asphalt roller to smooth out the yard (do not use the vibrator as you can break pipes), and after that aerate to help alleviate compaction at the root zone from the heavy rolling.

Are you sure it's zoysia grass, or is your lawn still not perking up.

Take some pics and post if you can.

[MikesChevelle]

will do, around here zoysia is pretty popular and i understand it is one of the last to green from winter

[cgaengineer]

Clover is generally an indication of lack of nitrogen.

Got some pictures? Location?

[cgaengineer]

will do, around here zoysia is pretty popular and i understand it is one of the last to green from winter

Around here Zoysia lawns are 100% green and Bermuda lawns are still partly brown...where you located?

[MikesChevelle]

im in STL. i will get some pics up today

[MikesChevelle]

here are some pics of the back and front.

in the back is a circle with the lamp, what would look good, some impatients (sp)
should i keep the honey suckle too?

[eatonpcat]

here are some pics of the back and front.

in the back is a circle with the lamp, what would look good, some impatients (sp)
should i keep the honey suckle too?


In my opinion I would remove the light and the island and plant additional grass.

[MikesChevelle]

i cant, we are in a rent to own situation so it technically not my house, also its a gas light and i dont want to mess with that

[White Gardens]

Impatience need mostly shaded conditions to thrive. If there is any direct sunlight I would go with petunias, geraniums, or anything else sun tolerant.

If you wanted to make it look better, remove the border block, make a base, and re-set the block level to clean it up.

I'd keep the honey suckle as long as it doesn't bother you. It helps to break up the look of the chain-link fence. If you wanted to you could add some clematis in the open sections to help fill it in. Annual vines would work too such as a sweet pea, or cardinal climber.

How big is the drop off on the back of the property ?? that looks pretty steep.

[MikesChevelle]

its a 3 step drop down to a 15 foot easement that we have a garden. then drop down the hill to the neighbors back yard.

[MikesChevelle]

the block border is level, the back yard slops slightly away from the house

[White Gardens]

Ya, I see that now, throws off depth perception.

[MikesChevelle]

so anyone know what grass i got, I bought some scotts blue grass seed to fill in a few bear spots and to overseed some clover areas, good idea? should i arreate (sp)

also when should i scotts plus weed again i did it about 2 weeks ago

[mrmumbels]

Around here Zoysia lawns are 100% green and Bermuda lawns are still partly brown...where you located?

you guys have green zoysia? why is mine not nice n green yet???

[Capemay Eagle]

Hmm, looks like it is not in bad shape, but rather needs to be dethached and fertilized.

[MikesChevelle]

should my lawn be a certain length for dethatching

[d.m.d.]

mike i live in st louis and my yard looks like yours almost exactly.i dethatched yesterday and around the end of next week im gonna give it a dose of nitrogen.when the ground temp stays above 50 degrees for a while that zoysia will green up.zoysia is a southern turf and even though i have it i dont like it for our area.but alas when it gets nice and hot it will look good i betcha......now what year chevelle you have.

[MikesChevelle]

lol its a 68
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/csmguitarman/5IMG_3382.jpg

hmmm can i just go to a lawn care store and buy a thatching attachment for my mower?

[Bowtie_guy]

mike you should join www.stlsr.com nice car by the way.

[d.m.d.]

nice,my friend is big into 69's.as far as dethatching the cheapest are those dethatching blades from the hardware store.they work but are a far cry from a commercial machine.if you know anyone looking for a 69 skylark with a 455 let me know...lol

[MikesChevelle]

Hmmm maybe ill start with the attachment.

[Newt*]

Mike, I agree with White Gardens on the use of something like petunias for the island. If you get the 'Wave' petunias that come in pink pots, you won't have to deadhead and they'll just keep on flowering all summer long.

I also like their suggestions for the fence. If the honeysuckle you have now is the invasive Japanese honeysuckle, then I would suggest removing it and either planting one of the native honeysuckles that will bloom all season long - Lonicera sempervirens, or clematis combined with some annual vines for color this year. It can take perennial vines 2 to 3 years to establish their roots before they put out alot of top growth. You can tell if your honeysuckle is the invasive Japanese honeysuckle as it will be highly fragrant and the blooms will be cream and yellow.

I would also suggest you put a nice mulch ring around your tree(s). The ring should be 2' for every inch of trunk diameter.
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/trees_turf.aspx
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/02926.html
http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/mulching.aspx

Newt

[MikesChevelle]

sweet thanks