Everyone has a diff opinion on how to handle a law, but as stated before, I like to grow it very long. I also don't mow it as often as some (usually every 10 days instead of once a week). I found that it gets alot thicker that way. Also, I have never used any type of weed killer, insect pesticide or fungus pesticide on my lawn. Sometimes, they can do more harm than good. A thick, healthy lawn will almost always keep weeds away. I don't think my flowers take away from my trees very much. I don't have alot of green in my flower beds, and not alot of color. They seem to compliment the yard pretty good. None of my neighbors grow flowers in their tree beds. In fact, when I was planting those, one of my neighbors (who I hate) came by and told me that I was wasting my time because she tried that and they died in a week. What I did, was buildup the dirt based of the tree up high and then cultivated the soil (mix of regular soil and humus). I use some Miracle Grow on them twice a month and they have never even started wilting. I keep them weeded very good. That same neighbor walked by the other day and I asked her "how do you like my flowers? They look pretty good, eh?". She just smirked and kept walking. They have been growing strong for 2 months now and I only water them 2 or 3 times a week. My wife wants me to dig up one of our trees in the back yard and plant Crepe Mytrles. Are they hard to plant and/or take care of?
My two were put in by the builder so I don't know how are they are to plant. Like I said, mine don't look very good right now. I know one big key is keeping them trimmed so they don't grow out like a big bush. If you ever drive on Beechnut between 59 and 610 you'll see many in a variety of styles. Try here: http://www.crapemyrtle.com/
The best thing about codell's yard is that he doesn't need a sprinkler to water it...Just fill up a glass of water in the kitchen sink and toss it out there.
Hey, I am not complaining. Mowing, weed eating and edging a lawn in 100 degree heat with 100% humidity in the summer is not fun. The less the better. Besides, my back yard makes up for it. I spend about 6 hours on a given day when its time to take care of the yard.
codell, Turf Builder every 6 weeks, and water 3x per week? That's pretty intense. We have El Toro Zoysia in the front and Emerald Zoysia in the back. I'll take on a St Augustine lawn any day. Re. Crape Mrytles, look for a disease resistant variety. Powdery Mildew can hit'm hard in Houston with the heat and humidity. Also, avoid shearing the tops like some people do. It is widely discouraged now. Free Agent, There are different types of St Augustine. In some hybrids (prob your lawn), you don't notice the stolons. The 'weed' may be a different variety.
Tiffway is great. Lot's of golf courses use it, yet it is harder to keep. You have to get an expensive lawn mower for it as well.
My neighbor keeps his lawn cut short. You really notice what I called a "weed" in his yard. I emailed the pic to Randy the Gardenline guy to get his take.
