Why I Oughta...

Last week, I posted a couple of photos showing the 'clumps' of Wild Onions (and their surrounding turf) that I've been digging out of the yard .  Over the years, I've found that the ONLY way to remove these things are to dig them up.   I've taken different approaches over the years in terms of how much soil I 'take' vs what I 'put back'.  This year, I'm trialing a new way to remove the Wild Onions by digging out and NOT pulling the bulbs.   In previous years, I'd use a shovel to dig out a clump that included grass.  Then, I'd sort of 'tear' the clump apart to try to release the bulbs.  And, then...I'd put the clump with the grass on top back in place.   This year, I'm taking the turf, too.  In an attempt to not leave any bulbs behind.  My thought is that the lawn will spread out and fill these spots in this Summer.   I'm also NOT composting these - instead...just tossing them directly in our garbage can.   But, what di

My lawn enemy - Wild Onions - are just about at their peek in Zone 5 right now.  If you wander around your neighborhood and see patches of dark green, vibrant 'grass', you're seeing one of a couple of things:   It is either: 1.  Dog poop.   2.  An artifact of sub-surface Fall feeding . 3.  Wild onions.    I have a mix of all three. But, the one I'm concerned with right now is #3:  Wild Onions.  And, I've been attacking them every Spring on multiple fronts.  I posted last month about how they had emerged .   This Spring, I laid down Lawn Lime - to help reduce their likelihood.  I've also begun to 'burn' the tips with my torch.  I intend to get a little spray on them this coming week, too. And, finally...I've begun to remove large clumps.  Here, below is a look at one of them: The key to removal is to dig up MORE than you need to - and make sure you get all the bulbs.  See below for a look at the bulb clump: I'm going to go get a couple of gallon

Just two days ago, I published my 2023 lawn care (feeding, amending, treating) schedule (or plan) that included a mix of synthetic and organic fertilizers as well as some amendments, insecticides and herbicides.  In that post - and the photo/post a day earlier , I talked about how part of my approach is focused on (once again) wild onions.  My first application of the year is going to be lawn lime and I'm going to try to get it down this Weekend.   Why?  Well...because my enemy is back.  Already.  Wild Onions are popping up on the first of March.  Here, below is a photo of a little spot in one of my beds showing the tips of these bulbs have arrived. I've posted about my approach to Wild Onion removal, treatment and remediation over the years.  Here's a few posts - one that outlines my process , another post that looks at the correlation to soil temperatures and their appearance , and a look at the pros/cons of yanking them vs treating them .  Speaking of soil temperatures