Re: {OT} Lawn Care

On Sun, 16 Apr 2006 18:41:21 -0400, "mark_digital"
<xxx976@comcast.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>This may sound like a silly question but have to ask it. Does raking
>stimulate grass to grow? I'm aware that a gentle raking is good because it
>may remove thatch buildup.[/color]

A little is good, a lot is bad. Talk to someone at your local Home
Improvement store or gardening center, they know the soil in the area.
[color=blue]
>I'm considering using bonemeal this season, for the first time. Will it do
>any good to lightly apply it without disturbing the ground?[/color]

See above - amendments will help a lot if they are the right ones.
My recommendations from San Fernando Valley somewhat alkali and mostly
adobe clay soil isn't going to help at all if you have sandy or peat
soil.

One thing that often helps is aeration - a big drum with plug
cutters that you tow around with a lawn tractor. It looks like you
are cutting hair plugs for a giant, but allows the amendments to get
down below the surface a few inches, and encourages grass root growth.

Just don't run over anyone's foot - I bet it would leave a mark...
[color=blue]
>Lastly, is there a natural inhibitor for dandelions? I'd rather avoid
>chemicals. I screwed up my lawn last year big time and don't want a repeat.[/color]

See first response - they have several miracle products to kill
weeds and leave wanted grasses untouched - even fertilize them.

But I don't use them, considering that our lawns are just watered
and nicely manicured weeds. ;-) Yup, except for one section that a
big patch of Dichondra is taking hold nicely (we distributed the
contents of a 20-year-old can of Dichondra Seed we found, and whaddya
know...) it's mostly crabgrass and misc. broadleaf turf grasses that
refused to die.

And it looks good, so who cares.

--<< Bruce >>--

--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
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