I spent most of the day picking dandelions. It sounds delightfully monotonous. I put on my headphones and a murder-mystery audiobook, pulled out my trusty Uprooter and a bucket and started plucking. Two contractor bags later, I stopped. I finished about 2/3rd of the back yard. I only got the big and/or blooming plants, so I know I will have to go back, but hopefully, I made a big dent.
While down in the grass, I noticed how unhealthy my lawn actually is. It is dried and struggling and being over run by dandelions, clover and horsetail. Sitting at the window now, I can tell a difference already. The lawn looks more lush and spring green.
I will try to finish the back yard and side yard tomorrow. Then I plan to reseed and fertilize. Hopefully I can get a handle on the dandelions and more of a balance with the clover (I don’t mind clover, but when it blooms, I can’t walk barefoot for fear of being stung). My front yard is nothing but dandelions, so I think that will have to be a separate attempt.
Pict 1: You can see that I started from the edges of the yard and moved it. Then I ran out of time to finish.
ps: I wanted to make weed tea, but had too many seed heads and roots with dirt to make it feasible this time around.
UPDATE 6/2: I finished the backyard. I spread corn gluten and reseeded. Now I am watering. Hopefully the grass will be healthier.
Previous Journals
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Petunia, Purple Wave Flowering, Sunflower Flowering, Edamame Sprouting, Spinach Sprouting, Bean "...
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Turnip "Golden Ball" Sprouting and Turnip "Purple Top" Sprouting
Later Journals
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Tomato 'Cherry' Sprouting and Tomato 'Sungold' Sprouting
Comments
seajda wrote:
What a job!
Posted on 01 Jun 10 (almost 3 years ago)
ves wrote:
Corn gluten meal will stop dandelions from growing back from seed. You can buy it online.
Posted on 02 Jun 10 (almost 3 years ago)
redloon wrote:
I think that corn gluten will inhibit the germination of grass seed as well as of weed seeds… (link)
Posted on 03 Jun 10 (almost 3 years ago)
mcav0y wrote:
ha! you know, you are right… I never thought of that. Alas, it’s too late now. Live and learn.
Posted on 03 Jun 10 (almost 3 years ago)
ves wrote:
redloon — good point. It’s been a while since I “read up” on it. If you wanted to use it, you would need to weed, get new grass started, then apply.
Posted on 04 Jun 10 (almost 3 years ago)
hotwired wrote:
Weed Tea? Brings back memories of dinner at my Grandmothers. Dandelion Greens, boiled, topped with butter and a splash of vinegar. That’s memories of the nastiest bitter taste ever.
Posted on 04 Jun 10 (almost 3 years ago)
mcav0y wrote:
@redloon: According to your link, “Corn gluten lasts 5-6 weeks. There is no carryover. After this time seeds can be planted in treated areas without being effected.” So it looks like I have a task to create for the middle of July!
@Ves, that makes sense. I feel like an idiot for not thinking of it before. But, if that is the biggest mistake I make in the garden this year, I am ahead of the game :)
Posted on 04 Jun 10 (almost 3 years ago)
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