[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: weeds




In article <MOD$970928.18368@rec.gardens.ecosystems>, Jesse Dinkin
<netfam4@ix.netcom.com> wrote:

> Please help me save my marriage!!!!
> 
> After reading Toxic Deception and  some other similar books I have no 
> interest in using an herbicide to rid my lawn of weeds.
> What product or method can be used in lieu of herbicides or do I have to 
>  just learn to live  with them.....
> PS my wife wants to use chemicals and I can't do  that.

I've had good to moderate success by encouraging only certain "weeds". 
I've found that in some areas a low clover will out-compete the grass and
other "weeds".  It mows nicely, looks nice, is thick and resilient.  It
also resists drought better than the rest of my lawn (creeping red fescue
bluegrass mix).

We bought a house that came with a chemically dependent lawn, accustomed to
frequent watering.  When I curtailed watering, and weaned the lawn off
fertilizer, the clover really took off.

The dandelions I let grow, but lop off their heads before they can go to
seed.  Occasionally I dig them out with a bulb dibber...The plantain is
easy to remove by hand.  I have endemic chickweed and some sort of ground
ivy stuff.  My solution to them:

I apply what I think are reasonable lawn-criteria:

is it pleasing aesthetically?
   -color
   -texture
   -fullness
  
Is it resilient?  Will it withstand:
   -walking
   -mowing
   -drought

Is it containable or invasive?

For example, I have learned that if I keep my patch of "ground ivy" (sorry,
I'm not sure _what_ it is) mowed short it meets all the criteria, except it
is slightly invasive.  But if I let it go too long, then it gets too leggy,
and loses its fulness, and won't stand up to walking very well.  Solution?
Frequent mowing.

I remind myself that my lawn will NEVER look like my neighbour's chemical
nightmares... or a putting green... but also enjoy being able to loll on
it, roll on it, laze on it, and actually USE it with a clean conscience,
without fear of poisoning.  I note the abundance of birds in our yard,
despite our resident bird-addicted cat.  I note the butterflies, and
abundanve of other creatures.  Most suburban lawns are not actually _used_,
and are worse than a section of green painted asphalt.


And, of course, we are slowly modifying those areas that do not grow good
lawn into shrubs, evergreens, pond, etc.  Makes for a far more interesting
yard...

Good luck.

Stephen

-- 
Sorry for the spam deterrent address in the header. Remove the "-remove-".