Outdoors

[blia]

Help! My husband and I are located in Twin Cities, MN; wepurchased our home in the fall 2010. Our first summer shocked us since all the weeds were growing and we literally had an infestation! Our biggest problem is creeping charlie, moss and dandelions. Our neighbors yards are infested with them (creeping charlie and dandelions); they don't seem to be managing it so we are getting an infestation from them. As optimistic as we can be, we are trying to get rid or maintain the creeping charlie and dandelions and grow a lushious lawn for our toddler to play in, but have no idea where to start. 

We have 2 apple trees (will be spraying for bugs this year) with moss growing under it, and no grass. And another tree - which seems to be doing well since we trimmed it. 

Someone HELP! I just want to get rid of the creeping charlie, dandelions and moss and have a beautiful thick lawn so my son can run around in!

[BostonianChick]

Hey Blia!

Let me be the first to welcome you to the community! I just have a few questions because there are a few ways that you could tackle this problem. How much of the lawn is taken over by the creeping charlie, moss, and dandilions? This way I can give you the easiest most efficent way to get your lush green lawn back in time for the summer.

BostonianChick

[blia]

Hi BostonianChick! And thank you.

Moss - in total, half of our lawn (front and back) has patches of moss. It's not thick moss, it's patches of moss growing here and there and in the shades, mostly under the apple trees. The ground there is wetter than other areas. 

Dandelions - it's not all over our yard, but we definitely do have a lot. Seems like during flowering season, at least I can get out and pick at them. Because our neighbors don't maintain their dandelions, after the flowering season, they come back from the seeds

Creeping charlie - it's about half of our lawn . Where there use to be grass, they've taken over. I have patches where there are no grass and the creeping charlie is all over it. I've been picking at them and getting along the fences from my neighbor (as they are mostly on the perimeter). About 1/4 of our lawn doesn't have any creeping charlie, but that portion of lawn gets FT sun so I'm thinking that could be the reason. 

Thank you.

[BostonianChick]

Hey Blia!

Creeping Charlie thrives in moist, shady spots such as under trees and shrubs. A dethatching tool, also called a power rake or vertical mower, can be used to clean up larger areas of creeping Charlie-infested lawn. This tool makes small cuts in the soil and the roots so you can "comb out" the creeping Charlie with a rake. This cuts out some of the grass as well, so you may need to reseed after dethatching. Controlling creeping Charlie takes some work and is frequently not totally successful. Herbicide applications may be needed on a regular basis for many years to completely eliminate the weed. It may be easier to just learn to live with it, and periodically knock back the weed when it becomes too dense.

To get rid of the moss I suggest using moss out. You just spray it on your lawn and it kills the moss.

Like other weeds, dandelions do not die by being pulled out from the soil. What's needed is a deep seated rooting out that damage the root system of the whole patch. You can use a dandelion digger that can remove the plants from the roots while keeping the soil minimally disturbed. Before you dig out the dandelions, thoroughly water the soil. Digging will make the soil softer and looser, making it easier to pull out the dandelions from their roots

I think this would be the easiest way for you to get the lawn you desire! If you have any other questions feel free to ask!

BostonianChick