Anonymous wrote:Espoma and Preen both have natural weed preventers/killers. I am trying the overseeing method soon.

There is a direct correlation between the use of herbicides and childhood cancers. They are bad for the environment and for humans. Many localities are banning them. The effort to maintain certain grasses is not worth it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are Americans obsessed with their grass? I don't get it. I also think in 10-20 years, you'll look back and be ashamed of the environmental devastation that trying to keep a perfect lawn not to mention the impact to our health:

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lawns-american-yard-us/index.html#:~:text=Lawns%20are%20an%20American%20obsession,bylaws%20and%20by%20homeowner%20associations.

For all those who profess support of the environment, this is the height of hypocrisy. End of rant.

I mean, the landscaped yards in that article look beautiful, but are a LOT of work and not necessarily cheap either. We've been working to convert a small section of our lawn to native plants but there is no way we would do the entire yard. And kids need some space to run around, a lawn is best for this. Doesn't mean it has to be "perfect."

That's fair but it also doesn't mean you need to spray for weeds or mosquitos, both of which are incredibly harmful to the environment, pets and people. On my frequent walks, I am starting to see how bland and sterile non-native plants and pristine grass/lawns look and how damaging that is. Fun fact, did you know that your local bees can't pollinate non-native plants? Natives also do better. Moreover, you can find all kinds of alternatives to grass that are relatively low maintenance. It doesn't stop you from mowing. You just have to learn how to live with clover and dandelions!

I’m one of the people on this board who advocates for no chemicals, meadow lawns, I just posted about a perennial plant garden in lieu of a lawn, but this is a lie and a half.

Anonymous wrote:My yard is tiny so I plan to just get new sod every few years. I don't want to use weedkiller and I'm not going to weed by hand. But yes: I'm in NWDC and it gets very weedy.

That is hella wasteful. Get a landscape designer and put in some perennials.

Anonymous wrote:The most organic way is s to overseed often.

yep, this is a good week for it. Lots of rain.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are Americans obsessed with their grass? I don't get it. I also think in 10-20 years, you'll look back and be ashamed of the environmental devastation that trying to keep a perfect lawn not to mention the impact to our health:

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lawns-american-yard-us/index.html#:~:text=Lawns%20are%20an%20American%20obsession,bylaws%20and%20by%20homeowner%20associations.

For all those who profess support of the environment, this is the height of hypocrisy. End of rant.

I mean, the landscaped yards in that article look beautiful, but are a LOT of work and not necessarily cheap either. We've been working to convert a small section of our lawn to native plants but there is no way we would do the entire yard. And kids need some space to run around, a lawn is best for this. Doesn't mean it has to be "perfect."

That's fair but it also doesn't mean you need to spray for weeds or mosquitos, both of which are incredibly harmful to the environment, pets and people. On my frequent walks, I am starting to see how bland and sterile non-native plants and pristine grass/lawns look and how damaging that is. Fun fact, did you know that your local bees can't pollinate non-native plants? Natives also do better. Moreover, you can find all kinds of alternatives to grass that are relatively low maintenance. It doesn't stop you from mowing. You just have to learn how to live with clover and dandelions!

Anonymous wrote:Why are Americans obsessed with their grass? I don't get it. I also think in 10-20 years, you'll look back and be ashamed of the environmental devastation that trying to keep a perfect lawn not to mention the impact to our health:

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lawns-american-yard-us/index.html#:~:text=Lawns%20are%20an%20American%20obsession,bylaws%20and%20by%20homeowner%20associations.

For all those who profess support of the environment, this is the height of hypocrisy. End of rant.

I mean, the landscaped yards in that article look beautiful, but are a LOT of work and not necessarily cheap either. We've been working to convert a small section of our lawn to native plants but there is no way we would do the entire yard. And kids need some space to run around, a lawn is best for this. Doesn't mean it has to be "perfect."

Why are Americans obsessed with their grass? I don't get it. I also think in 10-20 years, you'll look back and be ashamed of the environmental devastation that trying to keep a perfect lawn not to mention the impact to our health:

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lawns-american-yard-us/index.html#:~:text=Lawns%20are%20an%20American%20obsession,bylaws%20and%20by%20homeowner%20associations.

For all those who profess support of the environment, this is the height of hypocrisy. End of rant.

OP, we've been there, the house we bought had a yard that had been neglected for years and was almost exclusively weeds. And not dandelions/clover but species that are on MD's invasive list. First things first, get your soil tested. They can give you recs for what your soil needs. Ours was really acidic so we've added lime over time as recommended. I know posters have said not to use chemicals at all but you may need a couple applications to knock the weeds back. We did this and then have been over seeding with fescue with some clover mixed in. It looks so much better now. There are still weeds but it's not ALL weeds.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we rented in Falls Church for a number of years and never had any issues with our huge grassy yard... all we did was mow it every week or two.
now having had a house in Rockville for 2 years, weeds have totally taken over the grass in our lawn and it looks awful. is this normal?? am i supposed to be putting down weed killers regularly?

Please stop using weed killer. It's a probable carcinogen that increases the risk of lymphoma in children that live in houses where it's used and it's terrible for the environment, including all manner of run off to our water suppliers. Please stop trying to make your grass look perfect. We've actually begun to love the clover that grows in our yard. The rabbits love it and it's a sign of a healthy yard.

Can weed killer harm children in houses next door? Does it get into the ground water?

Yes, and yes. Why do you think you see those little yellow signs that tell you to keep kids and pets off the lawn after it's been sprayed with pesticides/herbicides? Do you really think it magically disappears after a few days or stops right at your property line?

Here's the link to the study on glyphosate:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1383574218300887

Oh, it's horrible for the bees and other pollinators. Same with anyone who uses Mosquito Joe or the like.

The most organic way is s to overseed often.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we rented in Falls Church for a number of years and never had any issues with our huge grassy yard... all we did was mow it every week or two.
now having had a house in Rockville for 2 years, weeds have totally taken over the grass in our lawn and it looks awful. is this normal?? am i supposed to be putting down weed killers regularly?

Please stop using weed killer. It's a probable carcinogen that increases the risk of lymphoma in children that live in houses where it's used and it's terrible for the environment, including all manner of run off to our water suppliers. Please stop trying to make your grass look perfect. We've actually begun to love the clover that grows in our yard. The rabbits love it and it's a sign of a healthy yard.

Can weed killer harm children in houses next door? Does it get into the ground water?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we rented in Falls Church for a number of years and never had any issues with our huge grassy yard... all we did was mow it every week or two.
now having had a house in Rockville for 2 years, weeds have totally taken over the grass in our lawn and it looks awful. is this normal?? am i supposed to be putting down weed killers regularly?

Please stop using weed killer. It's a probable carcinogen that increases the risk of lymphoma in children that live in houses where it's used and it's terrible for the environment, including all manner of run off to our water suppliers. Please stop trying to make your grass look perfect. We've actually begun to love the clover that grows in our yard. The rabbits love it and it's a sign of a healthy yard.

+1 and the bees love flowering clover because it's a good native pollinator. I just think all of these toxic chemicals being dumped on a lawn and in the water supply for the sake of a "pretty" lawn is such a waste.

Anonymous wrote:we rented in Falls Church for a number of years and never had any issues with our huge grassy yard... all we did was mow it every week or two.
now having had a house in Rockville for 2 years, weeds have totally taken over the grass in our lawn and it looks awful. is this normal?? am i supposed to be putting down weed killers regularly?

Please stop using weed killer. It's a probable carcinogen that increases the risk of lymphoma in children that live in houses where it's used and it's terrible for the environment, including all manner of run off to our water suppliers. Please stop trying to make your grass look perfect. We've actually begun to love the clover that grows in our yard. The rabbits love it and it's a sign of a healthy yard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MoCo has banned a lot of weed killers so make sure whatever you put down is allowed (if that is important to you - I know some people in my neighborhood are ignoring it.).

I saw this as well. Do you know if True Green has to follow the guidelines?

Yes they do. I used to use True Green but the product they used was so weak. My grass was taken over by crabgrass. I put preemergent down myself this year but now weeds are taking over again.

True green did ok with my lawn last year and so far this year. But, I too am worried, as I am not always here, I travel a ton. But lawn mowing service is annoying too, constantly mowing super low, when I tell them all the time, not that low. Weed won't grow if the grass is taller and healthy!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MoCo has banned a lot of weed killers so make sure whatever you put down is allowed (if that is important to you - I know some people in my neighborhood are ignoring it.).

I saw this as well. Do you know if True Green has to follow the guidelines?

Yes they do. I used to use True Green but the product they used was so weak. My grass was taken over by crabgrass. I put preemergent down myself this year but now weeds are taking over again.