New Yard, New Adventure in Organics

16 years ago

Hello, all--

I've lurked here for quite a while now, but with the recent purchase of a new home in a new state I've decided to come out of my burrow and get serious about the weird and wonderful world of worm poop, fish guts, and animal feed!

Our family has gone from a 1/10th acre yard to a full acre, including a 1/2 acre+ ocean of grass in the front yard, that is mostly burmuda (a grass I have no experience with, but is obviously a creeping menace) but also what appears to be some fescue in the shady areas and maybe even some zoysia randomly spread around in chunks. No longer can I use the "ignore it for a month, spend a weekend beating it back" method of landscape care, and it's all a bit frightening. Thank goodness you folks have little else to do but spread your wisdom like so much compost upon the barren minds of newbies like me.

So far I've constructed a "Deuly's Own" tea brewer and whipped up a batch of tea and spread it (where I plan to actually keep the grass, that is....more on my lawn reduction strategies another time), I've obtained a Weed Hound and tackled the endless supply of plantain and dandelions, and I've tracked down a supplier of soybean meal. Not bad for having been in the new place since mid-June, I'd say.

The soybean meal is an interesting item. It's actually mixed with some molasses. Not sure if it's enough to have a positive effect on the lawn, though. Any thoughts? Also, the mix means the protein count is 44%, not 47% like most other posters here have mentioned purchasing. Not a big deal, I assume.

One last thing before I suck all the air out of the room -- The weeds I have in the greatest numbers -- two kinds of plantain, crabgrass, and dandelion -- seem to indicate a calcium deficiency in my soil. When using an organic program is a soil test still a good idea to confirm my hunch and to give me an idea of how much lime to apply, or will the results be so skewed to an NPK approach that it wouldn't do me much good?

I'm looking forward to taking part in future discussions, and thanks to all of you who have taught me so much already in past posts!

Joe S.

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Comments (5)

User
16 years ago
Also, the mix means the protein count is 44%, not 47% like most other posters here have mentioned purchasing. Not a big deal, I assume.

No problem--it's probably from the molasses in the mix (which is sugar, not protein). I'd call it 6.5% nitrogen instead of 7%. You won't notice a difference.

I'm not familiar with Bermuda, so I'll let somebody else comment on when and how to feed it.

two kinds of plantain, crabgrass, and dandelion -- seem to indicate a calcium deficiency in my soil.

Many of us feel that weeds aren't a good indicator of soil deficiency. I don't have any calcium problems, and my gardens have dandelion and crabgrass galore. There's room. They seed and grow very happily.

The soil test is a really good idea--organic or synthetic, the information will help you know what nutrients your grass is short on.

Organics are much less about the NPK and more about the soil health, it's true, but if the test should show (for instance) a severe shortage of K then you know to add some. A pH that's off is another thing it will tell you.
billhill
16 years ago
Welcome to organic lawn care. I second everything Morpheus said. Organics is the best way to go for the best lawn and gardens. Feed the soil. A healthy soil will take good care of your lawn. Good luck with your new home, lawn and gardens.
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habiem
16 years ago
I think the soybean meal with molasses sounds interesting, actually. Sounds like it would help the little microbes multiply and provide some extra food for them. After all, you put molasses in compost tea to help the little guys multiple and feed them. I could also be totally wrong :)
joe_schmo
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the replies, all.

habiem, I'm hoping that's what the bit of molasses will do, too. Tho, it's an act of faith, I guess, just like putting down the compost tea. Though I've never used synthetics before, I still found myself anticipating some kind of quick and visible change as I sprayed my tea over the lawn. I guess we're just programmed to expect/want quick and visible proof that our efforts are paying off. Methinks patience will be one of the hardest lessons to learn in this organic venture.

BTW, we got some much needed rain this morning. I don't suppose that makes it any harder to spread the SBM, does it? Does the humidity rising off the grass tend to cake the stuff inside the spreader as you roll along?

Joe S.
User
16 years ago
Does the humidity rising off the grass tend to cake the stuff inside the spreader as you roll along?

Not that I've ever noticed. I tend to be a Morning Person, so I'm out doing lawn stuff at dawn. Wet as it usually is at that point, I have no caking issues.