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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 5:16 am 
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Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 4:48 am
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I live in Tyler TX, have an established SA lawn with lots of pine tree and want to switch to CGM as my only fertilizer and preemergent. Should I start in January or just do in March and June?


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PostPosted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:47 pm 
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Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2009 1:58 pm
Posts: 144
Location: Arlington, Texas
It depends on what your purpose is for applying CGM now. If you want to fertilize, you can apply now, if you like -- and if you can afford to do so.

That said, fertilizing 4 times a year is pretty standard, so something like March, June, September, December, is probably what you'll want to stay with.

If your intent is to apply CGM for a jump on the pre-emergent benefits, my understanding is that waiting until March (and reapplying in June and early fall, if you can afford it) is best, since you want to wait until near the time the early spring weed seeds begin to germinate.

Hope that helps. Happy Gardening!

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God speed!
Cara
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Take time to stop and smell the flowers!
(or... as my ladybug refrigerator magnet says
"take time to stop and eat the flowers!" :D)


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PostPosted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 12:39 pm 
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 6:52 am
Posts: 56
Hi Tim,

Welcome to the Forum!

If you go to the 'Garden & Landscaping Forum'
you will see 'Organic F&Q.' This has great info for you to follow.

Your question about Deep Root Watering:

This is a post that will help:

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Deeply and infrequently is the rule. Deeply means 1 inch at least when you do water. Infrequently means monthly during the cool months with transition to weekly by July. The soil should dry out completely between waterings once you're on this program. However, the grass should not dry out. If the grass dries out before you water, then you need to water longer when you water.

Last week I tested my sprinkler for the first time. I used a cat food can to catch the water. It took 3.5 hours to capture 1/2 inch of water from my oscillating sprinkler set on full sweep. That is just what I thought I was getting but I needed to know. If you have an in-ground system, you probably get water out faster than that in your zones. Be sure to measure and set your timer to water properly.

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David Hall
Moderator
Dirt Doctor Lawns Forum


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FYI Tim:

Your post appears under:
'RE: corn gluten mean in January'

You might get more replies to your questions if you start a fresh topic in the appropriate Forum.


And example for your question might be:
'Instructions for watering St. Augustine'

You might want to check out the 'Article Library' on the Home Page. You will find great info from the 'Dirt Doctor.

St. Augustine grass can have 'issues.' You will find many posts in the Lawn Care Forum that will be very helpful.



Good Luck!
Char Harris
Flower Mound, TX


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:40 am 
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 6:52 am
Posts: 56
So my two questions (from above) are (1) what do you mean by "the lawn drying out"?
Does that mean it starts to turn brown? Yes, I am a novice with lawns.

And (2) how deep should it dry out? I ask because I had to put a couple of posts in the ground last June, and noticed that the soil on top was dry, but because of all the rain, the soil about 6" down was still wet. Should I use the depth of the roots plus some distance below that in order to convince the roots to go deeper, or just the depth of the roots? Or maybe depth plus distance (maybe 1/2"?) until the roots reach a certain depth, and if so how deep are we aiming for the roots to get?

Thanks so much, Tim


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Hi Tim,

Let me start off by saying I have been Organic for a little over a year. I still have so much to learn. Most of my information has come from this forum and the Article Library.

I will answer your questions as best I can. There might be others who will post with different suggestions. And that is good! When that happens I take in all the info and then decided what works best for my lawn's needs.

Watering can be tricky because there are many factors to consider. Which is why the tuna cans placed in different areas of your yard is a good place to start. You might find that even though you run your zones for the same amount of time, some areas of your yard are getting more water. And your shaded areas usually require less water. Also think about your plants. Do they need as much water as your grass? Do you and your neighbors overlap in watering? If so, are these areas getting too much water?

So that is the guide lines I used deciding how long I needed to water.

In the winter, I usually water every two weeks. If we have rain or snow, I do not water. I do also keep in mind our temps. Right now, we are in the 70's. It is possible I will not go 2 weeks. I have a very simple way of checking my yard for dryness. I stick a long handle screw driver in my yard. If it comes up dry, I water. Another way to check for dryness is to walk on your grass. If you see your footprints, your grass is getting dry. This works better in the Spring and Summer when your grass is green.

Also, always water in the morning. Never in the late afternoon or evening. This is so important for St. Augustine turf.

Deep root, infrequent watering is good for your foundation. Also, weeds like moist soil.

Tim, I have found local nurseys to be very helpful too.

I hope this helps a bit!

Good luck,
Char Harris,
Flower Mound, TX


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 5:29 pm 
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 6:52 am
Posts: 56
Thanks! I really appreciate the time you've taken to answer my questions. Tim


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You are so welcome!

~Char


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PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:31 am 
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 6:52 am
Posts: 56
David, Char, Is is possible to move my posts to a new thread titled "Caring for St Augustine in Dallas"? I started an organic treatment regimen today, and I'd like to chronicle my progress on this forum in a thread. If it's not possible, I'll just start a new thread tomorrow. Thanks, Tim


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Hi Tim,

David is our Moderator and he might be able to move your posts. I am not sure.

The page where all the Forums are listed, you will see
'Lawn Forum' 'Dchall, Moderator.'

You can 'click' on his name and send him a 'PM' Private Message or an email. Or he might see your post.

How about the 80 degree weather we had yesterday!

Best regards,
Char Harris,
Flower Mound, TX


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PostPosted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:02 pm 
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Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 6:52 am
Posts: 56
Char, Thanks. I'll PM him. Hey, missed the weather, but that's a stunning 70degree swing in two weeks! I'm out on the West Coast visiting my daughter and getting ready to take my old Scout troop on a snowshoe backpack in the Sierra. Tim


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OMG....that sounds like fun! Be safe!

~Char


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