Another Phase in the Backyard Renovation
Another section of our backyard is getting a face lift The timing for the lawn renovation is getting critical since the fall planting time is quickly coming to a close.
In our Zone 6 garden, grass seed needs to be planted before September 15. The seed needs to have time to germinate and the roots need to be well established before a killing freeze. Normally, here we have a first frost in early October, and the soil temps really drop at that time.
As the lawn renovation started, we needed to remove a large area of nimblewill. That process took a couple of weeks. The grassy weed really had spread, and we used a non-selective herbicide. 
Here the pathway got a top dressing of topsoil. This is the base for the seed. Loose soil is vital for the seed to take root. Hard compacted areas will not give the seed roots any foundation.
The seed went down, and we even over seeded the previously seeded areas that were a little thin.
The next step in the lawn renovation today was to apply an organic fertilizer. The N-P-K was 5-3-4, and was a combination of bone meal and soybean meal, and compost.
This organic fertilizer is OMRI listed©. The Organic Materials Review Institute analyzes products that manufacturers submit. The national organic standards must be met in the creation of the products, and if they meet these standards, the OMRI© label is applied.
Generally a three year history of the ingredients is inspected. For those three years, the fields must not have any chemical herbicides, insecticides, or fertilizers.
The same goes for meat products. Livestock must not have been fed anything but organic feeds, to qualify as organic.
The safety of this organic fertilizer is evident in the safe handling of the grain. There is no strong chemical odor, and the family pets are not going to be harmed if they wander around in the planting area.
The final step in today’s lawn renovation, was to water the seed. This moisture will be maintained 2 – 3 times a day until the grass has been mowed at least twice.
These areas were the first seeded in the lawn renovation. As shown, the grass seed here is starting to fill in.
The garden has made a major transformation in our efforts to scale down the work the garden was requiring. Thanks for stopping by today.
What projects are you doing in your yard?
I have seed growing now where I took out the garden beds. Washed some down hill but I just raked back and most of it must have gotten to it's area. Hope yours is still working out, this has been prime for it to grow at least.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
Looking really good.
ReplyDeleteWe are in the process of switch our lawn areas to buffalo grass, since that will handle most of the growing season with little watering - even with the exceptional heat and drought we've been getting here in south central Kansas for the last 2 years.
Sometimes I miss the bright green of the fescue, but I don't miss trying to keep it watered (and still getting a lot of heat and drought loss anyway).
By the way, others in dry country, buffalo grass is one of the softest lawns I've ever had the pleasure to walk or lie on!
Morning Cher. Finally getting a break, aren't we? Glad you are getting your projects going. Take care. Claudia
ReplyDeleteGaia, I believe you got more heat and drought than I did. You have really had a summer!!, I'm not familiar with Buffalo grass. I'll check it out. Have a great day. Claudia
ReplyDeleteI heard a couple of guys talking about this in the New York subway so I looked it up online and found your page. Thanks. I thought I was right and you confirmed my thoughts. Thanks for the work you've put into this. I'd love to save this and share with my friends.
ReplyDelete