I have an odd question.

[Dutch6]

In my back yard, if you want to call it that, I have a 55 gallon drum I use as a burn barrel for scrap wood left over from woodworking projects. Now maybe I should explain that I have tried many times to get grass to grow in the back yard. Around this barrel, I would say about 8 to 10 inches around the outside of this barrel, is the most awesome grass. The only grass of it's kind in this yard. What causes this?

 

[Cowgirl]

In my back yard, if you want to call it that, I have a 55 gallon drum I use as a burn barrel for scrap wood left over from woodworking projects. Now maybe I should explain that I have tried many times to get grass to grow in the back yard. Around this barrel, I would say about 8 to 10 inches around the outside of this barrel, is the most awesome grass. The only grass of it's kind in this yard. What causes this?

Does the barrel have holes in it? Maybe ashes are leaking out?

 

[Dutch6]

Does the barrel have holes in it? Maybe ashes are leaking out?

Yes I do have a couple holes drilled in the bottom to keep the water out but I always keep it covered.

 

[Cowgirl]

Ash is a good source of potassium, so it's fertilizing your soil right there. Also, wood ashes can raise the pH of your soil, especially if your soil is sandy. You might be having issues getting grass to grow if your soil is too acidic. I would recommend taking a soil sample of your yard. You might just need to lime it.

 

[Dutch6]

Ash is a good source of potassium, so it's fertilizing your soil right there. Also, wood ashes can raise the pH of your soil, especially if your soil is sandy. You might be having issues getting grass to grow if your soil is too acidic. I would recommend taking a soil sample of your yard. You might just need to lime it.

I put ten bags of lime on it every spring. Maybe I should put wood ash instead. Also I have several oak trees which produce acid.

 

[Cowgirl]

I put ten bags of lime on it every spring. Maybe I should put wood ash instead. Also I have several oak trees which produce acid.

How big is your yard? Have you done a pH test lately? What are the conditions? Sunny/shady? What kind of grass do you seed? When are you seeding (spring or fall)?

 

[Cowgirl]

The recommended amount of lime is one bag (or 50lbs) per 1000/sq.ft. Lime is a little slow-acting, so you're not going to see results that same spring that you apply it.

 

[Dutch6]

How big is your yard? Have you done a pH test lately? What are the conditions? Sunny/shady? What kind of grass do you seed? When are you seeding (spring or fall)?

I have about .5 acres with a small rambler in the middle of it. I have about 20 oak trees throughout. Only a portion of it gets reagular sunlight. I have a ph tester and have only used it in my garden. I use a fescue to seed with and it doesn't do well. I seed in the spring.

 

[Dutch6]

The recommended amount of lime is one bag (or 50lbs) per 1000/sq.ft. Lime is a little slow-acting, so you're not going to see results that same spring that you apply it.

I've been doing this for the past 4 years. I see where some of the moss is going away but this is VERY slow.

 

[DoWhat]

Zoysiagrass

 

[Cowgirl]

I've been doing this for the past 4 years. I see where some of the moss is going away but this is VERY slow.

Well, an acre is 43,560 sq. ft., so if you have about 21,780 sq. ft. of lawn (slighly less because I didn't take out for the house and garden or whatever else isn't lawn). Say you have 20,000 sq.ft....you are only putting on 1/2 of the recommended rate of lime. I would recommend putting down at least 20 bags this spring and then try seeding again in the fall. If your pH isn't optimum, you're not going to be happy with the results. You shouldn't expect to see results from the lime within the next 6 months...it takes about 6 mos. or a year to see results.

It is really better to seed in the fall....MD's springs are too short to give the grass a chance to establish roots before it gets slammed with hot weather and possible drought conditions. You can seed in spring if you're really good about watering it (best to water it in the early morning...and give it a good deep watering so the grass establishes deep roots). Seeding in the fall is still best though....I would seed between August 10th and September 10th...make sure to water at first if it is a dry summer.

Try seeding with creeping red fescue. It is a shade loving grass...if your lawn is too shady for that, then you might as well mulch it all. Good luck!

 

[Dutch6]

Well, an acre is 43,560 sq. ft., so if you have about 21,780 sq. ft. of lawn (slighly less because I didn't take out for the house and garden or whatever else isn't lawn). Say you have 20,000 sq.ft....you are only putting on 1/2 of the recommended rate of lime. I would recommend putting down at least 20 bags this spring and then try seeding again in the fall. If your pH isn't optimum, you're not going to be happy with the results. You shouldn't expect to see results from the lime within the next 6 months...it takes about 6 mos. or a year to see results.

It is really better to seed in the fall....MD's springs are too short to give the grass a chance to establish roots before it gets slammed with hot weather and possible drought conditions. You can seed in spring if you're really good about watering it (best to water it in the early morning...and give it a good deep watering so the grass establishes deep roots). Seeding in the fall is still best though....I would seed between August 10th and September 10th...make sure to water at first if it is a dry summer.

Try seeding with creeping red fescue. It is a shade loving grass...if your lawn is too shady for that, then you might as well mulch it all. Good luck!

Thank you. This has been very helpful. Now I have a plan of action.

 

[Cowgirl]

Thank you. This has been very helpful. Now I have a plan of action.

I hope it works out!! Oh, and I forgot...don't forget to use a good lawn starter fertilizer. And make sure you test the pH.....you don't want it to get too high either.

 

[Dougstermd]

Try seeding with creeping red fescue. It is a shade loving grass...if your lawn is too shady for that, then you might as well mulch it all. Good luck!

I was thinkin red fescue and you got to feed it. I like to use 10-6-4 from Southern States about every six-eight (every holiday starting at labor day)weeks until the end of May about 20lbs per sq ft. No fertilizer in the summer

 

[Dutch6]

I was thinkin red fescue and you got to feed it. I like to use 10-6-4 from Southern States about every six-eight (every holiday starting at labor day)weeks until the end of May about 20lbs per sq ft. No fertilizer in the summer

That's an awful lot of fertilizer.

 

[JustynSayneBand]

In my back yard, if you want to call it that, I have a 55 gallon drum I use as a burn barrel for scrap wood left over from woodworking projects. Now maybe I should explain that I have tried many times to get grass to grow in the back yard. Around this barrel, I would say about 8 to 10 inches around the outside of this barrel, is the most awesome grass. The only grass of it's kind in this yard. What causes this?

I don't think lime is the resolve, I think the problem is the chems from the wood, have you burned any treated, stained, oiled, painted, woods. Given the fact that all wood is treated regardless if it pressure treated or spruce, etc., it's all got a coat of bug killer in it, the issue may be a "poisoning" instead of a Ph issue. Although, the heavy metals in the barrel itself can cause the issue of a Ph imbalance, depends on how long you've used that barrel and what it's composite is.

I would like to suggest the only option, remove all the dirt from the area down to 8 inches, refill and replant the seed.

Thanks, Dwight
www.JustynSayne.com

 

[Dougstermd]

That's an awful lot of fertilizer.

Its not really a lot of fertilizer when you consider it 10-6 -4. Not that crazy 35 percent nitrogen used in scotts etc. Its low dose feeding often instead of a high dose occasionly.

Really more evironmentally rersponsible because the turf uses the nutrients before it they wash away.

 

[Dutch6]

I don't think lime is the resolve, I think the problem is the chems from the wood, have you burned any treated, stained, oiled, painted, woods. Given the fact that all wood is treated regardless if it pressure treated or spruce, etc., it's all got a coat of bug killer in it, the issue may be a "poisoning" instead of a Ph issue. Although, the heavy metals in the barrel itself can cause the issue of a Ph imbalance, depends on how long you've used that barrel and what it's composite is.

I would like to suggest the only option, remove all the dirt from the area down to 8 inches, refill and replant the seed.

Thanks, Dwight
www.JustynSayne.com

If I have poisoned my yard around the barrel I will need to duplicate that throughout the entire property. The grass is absoulutely awesome.

 

[Dougstermd]

If I have poisoned my yard around the barrel I will need to duplicate that throughout the entire property. The grass is absoulutely awesome.

you need to build a bigger fire. PARTY

 

[virgovictoria]

Impressive... (your knowledge) I can't give you anymore juju yet or I would, just so you know

Well, an acre is 43,560 sq. ft., so if you have about 21,780 sq. ft. of lawn (slighly less because I didn't take out for the house and garden or whatever else isn't lawn). Say you have 20,000 sq.ft....you are only putting on 1/2 of the recommended rate of lime. I would recommend putting down at least 20 bags this spring and then try seeding again in the fall. If your pH isn't optimum, you're not going to be happy with the results. You shouldn't expect to see results from the lime within the next 6 months...it takes about 6 mos. or a year to see results.

It is really better to seed in the fall....MD's springs are too short to give the grass a chance to establish roots before it gets slammed with hot weather and possible drought conditions. You can seed in spring if you're really good about watering it (best to water it in the early morning...and give it a good deep watering so the grass establishes deep roots). Seeding in the fall is still best though....I would seed between August 10th and September 10th...make sure to water at first if it is a dry summer.

Try seeding with creeping red fescue. It is a shade loving grass...if your lawn is too shady for that, then you might as well mulch it all. Good luck!