questions about mulch and grass

[arylkin]

Two questions, and let me say thank you so much to everyone for your continued help

Comments

[virginiadear]

On the bare areas: plant something

[arylkin]

Thanks for the link! The mulch is for the back yard. I do plan on planting perennials there as well. We have a privacy fence and no pets (I have heard about cocoa hulls being toxic to dogs), but I think the whole mold thing has turned me off it.

I have gardens in the front but am hoping to plant grass in the actual yard for the bare spots there.

[mamculuna]

I hate to see people use cypress. Cypress are very slow-growing trees, and once they're cut can take centuries to grow again--and where they're necessary to defend coasts against hurricanes, there's not hope that they'll be there again. And the young cypress really aren't better than other woods as mulch. If you do buy cypress, make sure it's not from Louisiana or any other coastal state.

But I live in a coastal, hurricane-prone state (SC) and really love the beauty of 1000 year old cypress trees.

[labradors]

I don't see a whole lot of weeds except in that last photo and i can't tell what it is. If there's not much of it, just pull it or use a spray bottle to spot treat instead of spraying the whole lawn. Otherwise your lawn looks like all the lawns around here in zone 5; last year's drought really did a number on them. Reseed the bare spots asap or use something like patchmaster. The wider mystery stuff does look like crab grass, though it seems too early for that to be as large as it already is. It's an annual and likes ground temps in the 50s and higher. It could be a more annoying perennial. I'd work on reseeding and establishing the lawn now, worry about weeds and crabgrass later once the new grass has been mowed two or three times

[arylkin]

Thanks! I'm going to put down some seed next week then. :)

[wobblerlorri]

I agree, that's either crabgrass or goosegrass -- you don't want either one. I've found that you can actually pull goosegrass out, if you're patient. You grab it as near the ground as you can, then lean back and apply steady, gentle pressure, and it comes out root and all

[alison_in_oh]

I prefer mulches that build my soil quality and provide a happy environment for my preferred microbial balance. I use compost or hardwood chips on perennial beds. If you want it to suppress weeds you'll need several inches. You can call local arborists and they will deliver a free dumptruck load of chips -- but I'm told that once they know you're a willing recipient they'll keep coming back. :)