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Irrigation system working well, grass control without chems, not so much...

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Wyndru

Wyndru

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We have a full coverage irrigation system that usually keeps the lawn nice, and I've had no issues feeding it and controlling it until we had our daughter. Now I'm trying to accomplish the same thing organically, and it's not working out so well after 2 years. Dandelions and crabgrass are everywhere without the chems and now I'm discovering moss which makes me think I should aerate as well. I also have a ton of bermuda taking over our fescue, and I don't know where I got it from, but it's spreading quick.

We are in the northeast, but we have a lot of sand in our area, and not much shade.

I've been reading and I see that you can use corn gluten to prevent crab grass, but it takes a ton of it. Anyone have any tips to avoid these issues other than using chemicals?


Another question, if bermuda takes over a large section of fescue, is it possible to overseed and take it back? Or do I need to pull it up and reseed?
 
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Lots of considerations here.

Corn gluten at high application rates is a medium-success germination inhibitor. The good news is you won't need to also fertilize, since you will be doubling your target nitrogen rate just to get the stuff to work.

Depending on the size of your property, the cost can be quite high compared with ordinary fertilizers.

The iron-based dandelion killers are usable, though not great, and expensive, but they are quite safe. Otherwise get a good stand-up weeding tool, wait for a nice deep rain, and start plucking.

I'm not sure what will 'win' if you overseed in your bermuda grass. Also do you know what type the rest of the lawn is? Fescues wouldn't necessarily be my first choice for sunny areas; I'm in Ontario, and for sun the bulk of the seed mix would still be kentucky buegrass.

Moss, in the sun, is unusual. You can dethatch, aerate, overseed, etc.

I would suggest a soil test to see where you are deficient - when you give up the chemicals, you really have to bump up your 'game' to maintain a nice lawn.
 
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Just feeding it water means you are feeding everything water. Bermuda is a weed-base grass and is designed to be tolerant and aggressive. Feeding it water just makes it giggle as it takes over.
 
I've seen a propane torch (basically a mini flame thrower with a shield to contain the flame) for weed removal work nicely. My neighbor growing up would walk around his yard and torch the dandelions.

I believe moss likes acidic soil and adding lime to your soil will help to inhibit the moss by raising the pH of your soil.
 
If you are getting moss then it is staying too wet.

And no, you will not be gettng rid of bermudagrass with overseeding of fescue. I'll grow a third testicle before that happens without some chemical or mechanical intervention.
 
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