Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Discuss how to and whether you should renovate your lawn
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HoosierLawnGnome
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by HoosierLawnGnome » December 15th, 2014, 9:02 pm

I actually like the idea of pure clover - at least it would be a little consistent and attract wildlife, help the bee population, etc.

There are so many leaves in this area I'm not sure it would grow much. Most of the logging staging areas on the ridge are covered with briars - which I definitely DON'T want.

And, I'm going to pretend I didn't hear anything about K31.

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crabgrass
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by crabgrass » December 15th, 2014, 10:16 pm

Now that I think back, I've had good luck with Dense Shade Mix (Pennington, I think). Takes fast, does well in shade, low input. It actually seems happy no matter what. Not fantastic to look at, but not bad. It has some creeping/red/chewings, so a little self-repair. Plant it with or without clover.

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LoneRanger
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by LoneRanger » December 15th, 2014, 10:17 pm

crabgrass wrote:Honestly, I would go with contractor mix and add in clover. Gets you speed, diversity, and clover will help with N. Weeds don't seem to be much of a concern.
I'm siding with you on this.

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HoosierLawnGnome
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by HoosierLawnGnome » December 16th, 2014, 2:09 pm

I picked up some of this as an option. Forage plot seeds are on sale so I got it for a steal. Clover and some brome grass.
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HoosierLawnGnome
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by HoosierLawnGnome » December 20th, 2014, 11:50 am

Well, ladies and gentleman - (that's right - there's probably only ONE gentleman on this site but we haven't found him yet....) - I am reconsidering an actual stand of real turf now.

The problem is that when I look at a cleared area, I envision perfectly-manicured turf. I just like it that much. So, I'm not sure I can look at it without wishing it were such.

Couple that inner yearning with the fact I'll be doing a lot of work on this property over the next year - visits every other week or so in all likelihood - and I think I may be able to pull it off. After all, now's the time - it's cleared off and will need cover. This would be an excellent opportunity if ever to establish managed turf.

One area of concern is the soil. 100 years ago, farmers attempted to farm these ridge tops. They found the soil less than friendly, which culminated in most of them selling off the land to form the state forest that abuts my property. My particular land was a cattle farm at one point.

So, actually, I view establishing turf here - as a challenge.

One characteristic of this area is that it's actually pretty damp. We're deep in the forest, with tall trees around.

So, maybe I'll pull a soil sample and see what my chances are. Currently, I have a lot of subsoil exposed on a pretty steep grade.

Am I up for a challenge???? This is my burning question.... not sure I can resist a challenge....


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crabgrass
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by crabgrass » December 20th, 2014, 12:00 pm

I like it! Going with Bewitched now?

If it was cattle land do the structure test. You may have a layer of hard pan to contend with due to constant point pressure from hoofs.

Maybe some drainage trenches?

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BoatDrinksQ5
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by BoatDrinksQ5 » December 20th, 2014, 12:02 pm

HoosierLawnGnome wrote:Well, ladies and gentleman - (that's right - there's probably only ONE gentleman on this site but we haven't found him yet....) - I am reconsidering an actual stand of real turf now.

The problem is that when I look at a cleared area, I envision perfectly-manicured turf. I just like it that much. So, I'm not sure I can look at it without wishing it were such.
LOL... :shock:

Was wondering when we would see this post.... i had bet going (with myself anyhow)

:)

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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by Tony alony » December 20th, 2014, 12:55 pm

HLG, if I had a winter cabin that was somewhat secluded, I would go there to watch the stars and celestial objects. I would throw down any old kind of ground cover because I would be looking up at the heavens, not standing there staring at the ground. When I was a kid I used to dream about such a place with my Dad by my side. I know, this is a lawn forum, but I'm just sayin' .


**Edited to add** .....for HLG's eyes only. : http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/indian ... her/348323

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BuckeyeChuck
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by BuckeyeChuck » December 21st, 2014, 2:34 pm

Once a lawn addict ....always a lawn addict... LOL

The tall trees don't block out your sun requirement?

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HoosierLawnGnome
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by HoosierLawnGnome » December 21st, 2014, 2:52 pm

BuckeyeChuck wrote:Once a lawn addict ....always a lawn addict... LOL

The tall trees don't block out your sun requirement?
I really don't know - the area hasn't really been cleared until recently. Right now, the sun is much lower in the southern sky and the leave are off the trees, so sunlight is minimal.

So, sunlight is a challenge. I think a bigger challenge is the HUGE amount of leaves that cover the forest floor.

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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by mattya » December 22nd, 2014, 5:29 pm

Sounds like a constant uphill battle - Even after year 1. Good luck with that. If it's meant to be a getaway, maintaining a lawn to your standards might suck the "fun" out of that.

And that's coming from me, who loves the manually work. Unless you're able to see the flaws as acceptable and not let them stress you out, but I haven't mastered that skill yet lol

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Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by BoatDr » December 23rd, 2014, 12:51 pm

I say you let the ATY community vote . Here's mine:

https://www.google.com/search?q=unmowed ... 20&bih=372


- Sent From My Sandlot.
Edit: I'll send you some to test.

Tony alony
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by Tony alony » December 23rd, 2014, 1:17 pm


LoneRanger
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by LoneRanger » December 23rd, 2014, 8:02 pm

Here's my vote.

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oze
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by oze » December 23rd, 2014, 10:10 pm

I vote for this, only because it reminds me of the "lawns" in my neighborhood when I was a kid. Just watch out for honeybees if you are walking barefoot!
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by HoosierLawnGnome » December 25th, 2014, 11:09 am

I like that creeping red fescue / fine fescue look. Not bad at all. And it would come in quickly, and be uniform too. I could also treat it with a preM once a year to keep it uniform.

That "food plot" mix I bought above is basically red clover. And oze - lots of yellowjackets around. Lots and lots. I got stung a few times last year. I view that as a good thing.

So - with clover - what I'm looking for now - is there a way to kill things in it that are NOT clover? I assume I could use some 2-4D and the like that doesn't do much harm to clover, as well as apply a pre-emergent if I wanted.

I think clover may be my best bet really. It will grow well in poor soils, and will also attract wildlife - and even less need to mow than the fine fescue.

White Dutch Clover lawn?

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crabgrass
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by crabgrass » December 25th, 2014, 4:51 pm

Sounds good with a creeping / spreading fine fescue. It will fill in when established, but much slower than KBG.

Remember as well - FF is much more sensitive to Tenacity.

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BoatDr
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Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by BoatDr » December 25th, 2014, 5:20 pm

Heyyyy... I saw mention of mowing, 24d AND Tenacity. I thought this was zero input ? I do like the clover though.


- Sent From My Sandlot.

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crabgrass
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Re: Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by crabgrass » December 25th, 2014, 10:12 pm

BoatDr wrote:Heyyyy... I saw mention of mowing, 24d AND Tenacity. I thought this was zero input ?
Psss, hey buddy - he changed his mind. Don't remind him while his wallet's out...

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BoatDr
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Surprise Winter Cabin Renovation

Post by BoatDr » December 25th, 2014, 10:46 pm

Oh, right. Then I change my vote to $upina.


- Sent From My Sandlot.

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