Gaia Gardener does the gardens, my purview is the yard. You know, that space between the gardens. She hates chemicals, and for the most part I agree. Still, there are times when an antibiotic is needed.
I just finished about 2 hours in the grass. Mowing and transplanting grass from the garden beds. (Why this is my job, I don’t know…). The lawn actually looks pretty good. Low weed population, lush vegetation and few holes considering: salt from hurricanes, shade from brush piled up after the hurricanes, abuse by a so-called lawn expert we hired to mow last year, and 4 large dogs.
The trick has been water deeply and infrequently, mow high, use of compost tea, and (don’t tell Gaia Gardener) spot treatment with herbicide. Small, specific amounts that haven’t affected the amphibians who we both enjoy.
I look up and down the street and see grass mowed to dirt height, people slaving to grow sun loving grass in dense shade (change the grass type or plant ground cover for crying out loud), and spreading chemical 2-3 times per year. The only fertilizer I use is a mulching mower and alfalfa or cotton seed meal.
So if I’ve got to be doing yard work, having a sense of satisfaction sure feels good.
