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Weed Eradication and Seeding Grass
Posted on 3/2/13 at 4:30 pm
Posted on 3/2/13 at 4:30 pm
My sister and BIL have a small house with a large, unkept yard. It has almost no grass to speak of, and is almost all weeds, dandelions, rockachaw type burrs, etc. (and its full of gophers too, but that's a different problem) The weather here in Lafayette, CA (East SF Bay area) is cool, wet winters and hot dry summers. The ground cracks, it gets so hot in the summer, so they'll have to sprinkle or water.
He doesn't want to put in an irrigation system and sod, because he plans on expanding the house substantially in about a year or so. In the meantime, my little nephews are getting torn up when they play in the yard.
Any suggestions on how to nuke the weeds, preferably without hosing the yard with a RoundUp or Agent Orange type non-selective herbicide? Can anyone make a knowledgeable recommendation on a hearty grass seed that can handle a hot summer and a couple of very active boys? (The boys have both been fully brainwashed into being LSU fans, if that makes any difference!)
TIA, I appreciate any help!
He doesn't want to put in an irrigation system and sod, because he plans on expanding the house substantially in about a year or so. In the meantime, my little nephews are getting torn up when they play in the yard.
Any suggestions on how to nuke the weeds, preferably without hosing the yard with a RoundUp or Agent Orange type non-selective herbicide? Can anyone make a knowledgeable recommendation on a hearty grass seed that can handle a hot summer and a couple of very active boys? (The boys have both been fully brainwashed into being LSU fans, if that makes any difference!)
TIA, I appreciate any help!
3
Posted on 3/2/13 at 4:34 pm to White Roach
quote:
preferably without hosing the yard with a RoundUp or Agent Orange type non-selective herbicide
What is wrong with roundup? One of the safest weed killers out there.
Posted on 3/2/13 at 4:36 pm to highcotton2
How soon can the kids play in the yard after using RoundUp?
Posted on 3/2/13 at 4:39 pm to White Roach
quote:
How soon can the kids play in the yard after using RoundUp?
They can be in the yard when you spay it. (They're not my kids)
It should be fine after an hour.
This post was edited on 3/2/13 at 5:35 pm
Posted on 3/2/13 at 4:46 pm to highcotton2
quote:
It should be fine after an hour
I had no idea. I assumed they'd have to stay off of it for at least a few days, and maybe a week.
If one of those kids gets anything even remotely resembling a rash after I spray RoundUp (or whatever), my sister will frigging kill me and her husband!
Posted on 3/2/13 at 4:56 pm to White Roach
Round up isn't like Dursban or chlordane. Give it time to dry and its go to go.
Posted on 3/2/13 at 4:58 pm to Capt ST
You could take a bath in round up it has a high LD50
Posted on 3/2/13 at 4:58 pm to White Roach
Sorry didn't read all the OP, round up isn't what you want if there's a lawn. They make a broadleaf weed killer that want wipe out lawn in process.
Posted on 3/2/13 at 5:44 pm to Capt ST
Whats growing now is about 95% trash. It's a fenced in area around their house, but only in the farthest stretch of your imagination could you call what's out there now a lawn!
It needs to go, and I need suggestions for a viable grass seed to put down. It would have to be heat tolerant, not super thirsty, and be able to handle a 5 and a 7 year old playing on it.
It needs to go, and I need suggestions for a viable grass seed to put down. It would have to be heat tolerant, not super thirsty, and be able to handle a 5 and a 7 year old playing on it.
Posted on 3/2/13 at 5:49 pm to White Roach
Spray roundup as stated. After its dry kids can resume playing.
I would think perennial ryegrass would do well in that area. Cheap and easy to seed. Maybe mix some Kentucky bluegrass and fescue for a little more drought tolerance.
I would think perennial ryegrass would do well in that area. Cheap and easy to seed. Maybe mix some Kentucky bluegrass and fescue for a little more drought tolerance.
Posted on 3/2/13 at 7:23 pm to Nodust
Thanks, NoDust! I appreciate your suggestions.
Posted on 3/2/13 at 7:32 pm to White Roach
If its hard and cracked like you said you are going to need to loose that topsoil before you through any type of seed down, otherwise youre wasting your time.
I would roundup, wait 4 days and roundup again. Wait another 7 days and Then i suggest you go to the box store and rent a power rake. Run that thing all over the lawn to loosen the soil, groom out and throw down ryegrass seed. It will be a quick sprouting grass but if it gets real hot there it wont do as well. Id never recommend zoysia but its a tough low maint grass. Personally i would stick with Bermuda. Good luck.
Ps dont use a tiller. It will prob grow too deep and result in even more weeds making its way up. Allow the grass you plant to grow to a good height before you cut and keep it on the high side to help block any weeds from sprouting.
I would roundup, wait 4 days and roundup again. Wait another 7 days and Then i suggest you go to the box store and rent a power rake. Run that thing all over the lawn to loosen the soil, groom out and throw down ryegrass seed. It will be a quick sprouting grass but if it gets real hot there it wont do as well. Id never recommend zoysia but its a tough low maint grass. Personally i would stick with Bermuda. Good luck.
Ps dont use a tiller. It will prob grow too deep and result in even more weeds making its way up. Allow the grass you plant to grow to a good height before you cut and keep it on the high side to help block any weeds from sprouting.
Posted on 3/2/13 at 7:36 pm to tigerzballzdeep
Not sure if Bermuda would do good in the San Francisco area. There can be some micro climates where different types can be grown. I would look at a neighbors yard that looks decent. See what they have. Pebble Beach has Poa Annua and it is less heat tolerant than rye.
Posted on 3/2/13 at 8:09 pm to tigerzballzdeep
The soil is pretty soft right now, but by mid-summer (with no watering) will be baked, cracked and hard as a rock.
How does a power rake work? My BIL was talking about roto-tilling (he has a small tiller they use in a small veggy garden) the yard, but this might be a bad idea when seeding?
How does a power rake work? My BIL was talking about roto-tilling (he has a small tiller they use in a small veggy garden) the yard, but this might be a bad idea when seeding?
Posted on 3/2/13 at 8:15 pm to Nodust
Good idea about checking w/ the neighbors. Several have beautiful lawns and landscaping.
It can get very hot here in the summer - up to 100 - and low 90s are very common. It's typically very dry and low humidity in the summer, but they'll just have to sprinkle/water.
It can get very hot here in the summer - up to 100 - and low 90s are very common. It's typically very dry and low humidity in the summer, but they'll just have to sprinkle/water.
Posted on 3/3/13 at 9:30 am to White Roach
Bump for any add'l suggestions. Thanks!
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