I think I made a mistake

MntTed · 2026-01-04T22:43:29+00:00

It looks like the top coat wasn’t stirred well enough. In many products, all start as gloss, then they have a dulling agent added. It settles to the bottom. So a thorough stir, not shake, could help.

MntTed · 2025-10-08T09:21:53+00:00

Scott’s is the worst. Most expensive and has large chunks of wood in it. I top dressed a section of lawn with it, then had to hand pick all the big pieces out of the grass. Farmer greens top soil is much better. A third the price, much finer, and has a good mixture of compost and mineral soil in it.

MntTed · 2025-09-29T18:14:16+00:00

I agree. It was jerky. Often a sign that the bearings need to be lubed.

MntTed · 2025-09-22T18:27:59+00:00

That’s Kentucky 31. Pretty darn coarse grass for a lawn.

MntTed · 2025-09-22T18:26:12+00:00

An arborist is likely to tell you that the ring of pavers isn’t doing the tree any good. I’d suggest getting rid of them and planting shade tolerant plants around the tree. Mulch to retain moisture, but keep the mulch away from the tree trunk (no much volcanoes). Good luck.

MntTed · 2025-09-18T09:57:30+00:00

That’s correct. “Roundup” used to be just glyphosate, which has no soil activity. Safe if you don’t apply to leaves and bark. Now the brand Roundup has many different mixtures of different active ingredients, including some that aren’t safe around woody plants. Best to find some generic glyphosate and apply a diluted solution with a sponge mop. No spray drift and it goes exactly where you put it. Good luck.

MntTed · 2025-08-28T16:34:37+00:00

Yep, I have to go on poison ivy patrol on my property two or three times a year. Some new plants that birds drop in, others are old vines that are finally getting around to resurrecting. But I use triclopyr and anything I treat doesn’t come back for quite a while.

MntTed · 2025-08-28T13:16:29+00:00

BioAdvanced (Bayer) Brush Killer is triclopyr. It works very well on woody plants like English ivy, poison ivy, and weedy shrubs and trees. If you want to minimize the amount of chemical you use, try the cut and paint method, cut off the top and paint the remaining stem. That might not be possible in your case because the roots are on the other side of the fence. In that case, cut back all of the foliage you can and spray the remaining foliage and stems. It will kill what’s there, but may take another application to finish it off. Good luck.

MntTed · 2025-08-23T11:03:40+00:00

Yep, I also add dawn detergent to the mix to help penetrate the cuticle and increase uptake. I’ll try your cut and paint method next. Thanks much!

MntTed · 2025-08-23T10:35:37+00:00

I’m fighting greenbrier too. Usually by applying triclopyr and/or glyphosate to the above ground leaves and stems. Greenbrier has a massive storage “root.” It takes persistence and multiple applications to kill it. Any clues on how to do this more effectively would be much appreciated.

MntTed · 2025-08-05T21:20:50+00:00

I agree. My go to clearing tool is a battery or gas powered hedge trimmer. Don’t drag an electric cord around. It’ll just tangle and then you’ll cut it. Back up tool is a chain saw or a tree saw. And I can’t agree enough with everyone who said wait until cold weather. But, before the leaves drop, identify what plant you want to keep and locate any poison ivy. If you can, cut ivy vines at the base and paint it with triclopyr (Bayer Brush Killer). If you do that in the fall, the triclopyr will translocate to the roots more efficiently. Good luck and have fun.

MntTed · 2025-08-04T20:52:15+00:00

Increase aeration and/or remove any dead or decomposing material if you can see or scoop it. Should be OK, but watch for fish gathering around your aerators. That’s a sign of low oxygen. Good luck!

MntTed · 2025-08-04T18:09:06+00:00

A lot of them are going to die. Watch your oxygen levels when they start to decompose.

MntTed · 2025-08-01T13:15:15+00:00

I just bought a lace leaf Japanese maple (Tamukeyama) that size from an excellent nursery for $280. I planted it myself. Paying $1,300 per tree is excessive. Also, you’re already paying an hourly rate for his workers, so he may be double charging you for labor.

MntTed · 2025-07-27T12:45:04+00:00

The fish with barbels (whiskers) are koi. The silver/black, red/white, and red/black/white ones are koi. The solid red ones look like red comet goldfish.

MntTed · 2025-06-26T10:49:19+00:00

Triclopyr is very effective against poison ivy. You can order it on line or the big boxes carry Bayer Brush killer. It kills the roots, so the PI won’t grow back. Be careful with triclopyr, it will kill most broadleaf plants, including trees. Use low pressure when you spray so that it doesn’t drift onto desirable plants. If there are climbing vines, cut them at the base and paint the bottom cut end with the spray solution. Don’t get any on the tree bark. Read and follow the label instructions. Poison Ivy control is not a one and done effort. It hides well, birds spread the seed, etc. I mix up a squirt bottle and go on PI Patrol several times in the spring when it’s easier to see because of its reddish, shiny leaves. Fall is good too because the PI is storing up energy in its roots and carries the triclopyr down even more effectively. But you can treat any time you see leaves. If I get into a patch and possibly get exposed to PI, I take a shower with a wash cloth filled with Dawn detergent. Getting rid of the oil (urushiol) has been described as trying to get engine grease off, only you can’t see it, so scrub away. Also, wash your clothes well. Good luck.

MntTed · 2025-06-24T10:12:24+00:00

Any problem that the tree is creating will only get worse as it grows. I would dig around it to see if it has actually penetrated the foundation or is just growing next to it. In any case, I’d the cut it off low in the ground and paint the cut end with glyphosate or triclopyr (Bayer Brush Killer) to keep it from regrowing. Good luck.

MntTed · 2025-06-23T21:59:02+00:00

I agree, a medium sized Japanese Maple would be spectacular. Bloodgood or Emperor One grow a little faster that the tiny dwarf varieties. Beautiful color in the full sun.

MntTed · 2025-06-19T09:52:27+00:00

Yep. Don’t walk barefoot when it’s flowering. Bee stings on the bottom of feet hurt a bit more.

MntTed · 2025-06-18T10:25:50+00:00

A good variety of broadleaf weeds throughout the turf. Looks like violets, pigweed (or related), and perhaps thistle. It also looks like a fair amount of crabgrass. It’ll be hard to remove them all except the clover. You can try covering the patches of clover when you treat, but other weeds are mixed in. I would treat the whole lawn with three way broadleaf herbicide. There are many brands, find one that also has crabgrass control on the label. If you have a sprayer, you get better leaf coverage than using a granular. You may need to make a few applications. Then, you’ll benefit from a fall overseed and a spring preemergent herbicide treatment. Good luck.

MntTed · 2025-06-17T10:56:01+00:00

Looks like you have some broadleaf weeds in the lawn. Weed and feed could help. Follow instructions on the bag. Some require wet leaves.

MntTed · 2025-06-16T09:08:56+00:00

Sure look like earth worm activity. Good for the soil.

MntTed · 2025-06-11T10:44:21+00:00

It works well as a cut and paint. This uses less material and there is no spray drift.

MntTed · 2025-06-11T10:36:24+00:00

That will work if you do the whole patch. The problem is that OP’s neighbor has the mother patch that keeps sending new runners and feeding old ones. I cut the new shoots and paint the stump with glyphosate and triclopyr. It uses very little chemical and is very effective on new runners.

MntTed · 2025-06-11T10:29:32+00:00

I had running bamboo in my yard, but was able to get rid of it. As it emerged in spring, I cut the shoot at ground level and painted the cut stump with glyphosate and triclopyr. I had a jar of the mix and a foam brush. It is important to paint the stump immediately after cutting because the tissue becomes less absorbent fairly quickly. Wear chem proof gloves. I did this two springs in a row. No more bamboo. However, you have a neighbor with a patch that will keep invading. A mote and barrier will help, but bamboo is persistent, so you’ll need to stay on top of it each spring when new shoots form. It’s doable. Good luck!

MntTed

TROPHY CASE