Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[two_bit_score]

Around here (Denton County), it's been quite the opposite, Lou. Instead of cold, it's been very warm, trees are budding, some (not all, by any means) grass is greening up. So . . . . I've had my Mantis tiller for 9 years. Got it directly from Mantis "slightly used and refurbished". I would never have known it was used when I received it. But now it's gotten quite contrary; probably needs a carburetor. Anyway, I gave it to my grandson and told him, "If you can fix it and sell it, it's yours." And I bought a new one locally. Same basic machine and all my attachments work on the new one; edger, tiller, dethatcher. The new one has the "easy" start system that I like, and the hand grips are a new and better style.

So I spent last Wednesday dethatching and mowing the front yard, Thursday the north side of the property, had to run an errand Friday, so I finished the yard Saturday; had 8 contractor bags of clippings for the garbage men. Sunday, I mowed and trimmed the yard next door. Monday morning, I bought and spread Scotts Turf Builder for Southern Lawns.

And I was lucky enough to have my timing right. It had been more than 3 weeks since we had any rain, but today, since midnight, I've gotten about 1.56" so the fertilizer should be well watered in.

Isn't it great when things work out like they should? :thumbsup:



TBS

 

[sseelhoff]

We fertilized and mowed Saturday as well. Everything is coming out of dormancy. Even my grapefruit tree is coming back. Thought we lost that in the freeze.

 

[two_bit_score]

We fertilized and mowed Saturday as well. Everything is coming out of dormancy. Even my grapefruit tree is coming back. Thought we lost that in the freeze.

Mountain Laurels are blooming.

 

[sseelhoff]

Mountain Laurels are blooming.

That's likely what is causing my sneezing.

 

[Bird]

I, too, have been doing a great deal of sneezing, blowing my nose frequently, and using some eyedrops for itching eyes.

 

[two_bit_score]

That's likely what is causing my sneezing.

I, too, have been doing a great deal of sneezing, blowing my nose frequently, and using some eyedrops for itching eyes.

So far I've avoided all the colds, flu and whatever else people have been getting lately. But I've been sneezing like it's going out of style.

 

[robbyr]

What exactly is dethatching?

 

[Bird]

What exactly is dethatching?

At least one dictionary defines "thatch" as "a tightly bound layer of dead grass, including leaves, stems, and roots, that builds up on the soil surface at the base of the living grass of a lawn." So of course "dethatching" means to break up and/or remove that thatch. Part of my backyard was bad enough that it felt like walking on a thick sponge.

Now of course, you can do the job manually with a rake, if you're tough enough, strong enough, etc. But there are a number of power dethatching machines available; power rakes, in other words. The one that I use is probably among the cheaper ones. I've had it for about 9 years.
Lawn Dethatcher Attachment (For All Models Except XP) | Mantis Garden Tools

I use the Mantis dethatcher, then the lawnmower with the bagger to pick up that loose material.

 

[CowboyRon]

I hope all you Houston area guys made it through all the storms and tornadoes.

 

[sseelhoff]

I hope all you Houston area guys made it through all the storms and tornadoes.

Thanks. We had one very close to us. Very close. No damage in the area, thank goodness.