Tony wrote:
> I have been quite unsuccessful trying to get my lawn to look decent
> since I bought the house nearly 4 years ago. I dont have money for a
> landscaper. Below are links to pictures that I took.
>
> The first pic shows these clover-like things growing in patches.
> http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/trusso11783/lawn1.jpg
That looks like white clover to me. Lots of people plant it on purpose.
Lots of other people hate it. If you don't like it, spray it with an
herbicide that lists clover on the label.
> This next one shows leafy type growth for a big part of the lawn
> http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/trusso11783/lawn2.jpg
I don't recoginize this one, but it will probably be controlled by a wide
spectrum broadleaf weed killer. Take a sample to a real nursery and ask
for help. Buy the weed killer there, even though it costs a dollar more,
as thanks for the help.
> This is a picture of the entire lawn. It is very wavy and unlevel.
> http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee225/trusso11783/lawn3.jpg
I don't see any waviness, but it might be hidden by the shadows.
If you're talking about uneven grass, sharpen your lawnmower blade, and
mow it twice in different directions. You'll get a pattern like a baseball
diamond.
If the soil is uneven, you'll have to make some decisions. You can fill in
the low spots with sand or topsoil, but don't put on more than 1/2" at a
time or you'll kill the grass. Once the grass has grown through, you can
put on another 1/2". If its *really* uneven, you'll have lower the high
spots. I hope you like shoveling :-)
> For a short term fix. is there a way to get rid of those growths
> described above so that they are gone forever and replace with grass?
In general, the best thing you can do is fertilize and water regularly.
The grass will tend to crowd out most weeds. Thick grass will keep the sun
off the soil so weed seeds won't germinate.
Use weed killers as needed, but don't overuse them. I like to put them
only on the weeds using a hand-held sprayer. The chemicals will go
farther, and less will make it into streams.
> Is it just better to rip it all up and start new? As I said, i cannot
> afford landscaping services right now but if I have to hire one guy to
> rip it up and level it, what would that cost on Long Island, NY? Once
> it is leveled, I could probably seed it myself or get a friend to help
> me.
Starting over from scratch is almost always more work than any other
method.
Your yard looks pretty good to me. Grass doesn't like shade, so trimming
the trees might help.
--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX
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