First mowing of the year

Yesterday was my first lawn-mowing of the year. Again! I was surprised to discover April 29th was the first time I mowed last year too! Haha. 

Our neighbors to the west have hired a mowing service, and I believe yesterday was their 4th or 5th time. Even our Burmese neighbors  (several houses around us) had already mowed. Still, I didn't think it looked all that bad. It does, however, look much nicer now.

Unlike last year, though, the grass wasn't even all that thick. I whizzed right through it (32 minutes). I'm not sure why our grass doesn't grow any thicker - we have it treated year-round - and they even do the 'plug thing' to it (which they just did a couple weeks ago). We're actually thinking of stopping with the lawn treatments, because we're just not sure it's really worth it. Yes, it's nice not having weeds, but it's expensive and probably not all that good for the environment in the long run.

Anyway, the lawn has been mowed. Now I need to get out the weed eater and edger and start tidying things up a bit outside. Apparently we're hosting a church party for a small group of people in a few weeks. I don't want to go all out in jazzing things up, but I'd like it to at least be comfortable for people to sit outside.

By the way, in the pic at the top, I had entirely killed everything in that picture last summer with weed killer (trying to finally eliminate the poison ivy), and it appears almost everything has grown back. No sign of the ivy yet though.

A new string trimmer

I got a new string trimmer. This Black + Decker 12" 20v Cordless String Trimmer/Edger (model LST320C) from Menards. It was just under $100 and came with two batteries and charger.

Of course this wasn't the trimmer I intended to get. I started researching them awhile back because the batteries on my old B+D string trimmer were all giving out. At first I thought I was going to move away from cordless - thinking either gas or corded. However most sites suggested cordless over gas trimmers for residential use, especially if you're not going to use it on a daily basis. They say the cordless trimmers are now powerful enough that gas trimmers aren't necessary, and often gas are more hassle than they're worth. Certainly the old cordless trimmer I'd had was reliable enough. I don't even remember when I bought it, but it was awhile ago.

So, I began looking for another cordless trimmer. After my research I decided on an Ego or Worx. I happened to find an Ego on sale at Lowe's (online) and decided to go to an actual store and check it out. They were out of stock in the store. So I was going to just come home and order one online. Ha! By the time I got home they were out of stock online too. Drats.

In usual fashion, since I'd put this off for so long, I finally just trudged over to Menards and bought a random Black+Decker since it was reasonably priced and came with two batteries (instead of just one like many of them). How bad can it be, right?

I bought it last week and just got it out of the box and assembled the other day. I've still not used it. But it's here if it ever stops raining, and happens to coincide with a day I have the energy and gumption to trim weeds. Hopefully it will work for awhile. 

That process fairly accurately describes my lack of interest in yard work as a whole. I tried to take an interest, but it didn't last long and I finally just did the bare minimum. I really do not enjoy it. Wish I did... but I don't. Such is life...

New mower blade

Sometimes you never know just how bad something is until... you change it.

I got a new blade for our 2013 Craftsman 21" push mower (model number 247.37037, with a 190cc Briggs & Stratton Platinum 7.25 torque engine, model number 128M02-0952-F1).

It had seemed for awhile I was sometimes more just pushing the grass over instead of cutting it off. Even though I sharpen the blade every year, I admit it's been a little gnarly for a few years now. There are a number of gouges out of the sharp side and whatnot.

So, I checked online (https://www.ereplacementparts.com/craftsman-247370370-lawn-mower-parts-c-158286_173893_491626.html) and felt like $31.11 was a bit much. Instead I hopped over to Menards and got the Yardworks MTD 21" 3-IN-1 blade for $17.99. It was easy-peasy to swap out. And I can't believe how much of a difference it made!

After my 5-mile/+1 run this morning and breakfast, I finally finished trimming the bushes. When I got that all cleaned up I thought I'd run the mower (with new blade) over the now-visible grass I hadn't been able to cut all summer. Once I started though, it made such a noticeable difference, I didn't know where to stop! And I had just mowed yesterday afternoon!! I ended up redoing the one side and part of the back yard again.

I guess maybe I was a bit overdue for a new mower blade.

Lower mower, bike flat, and more

 I lowered the mower one notch when I mowed the lawn yesterday. I'd been mowing it pretty high all year. It helps keep the weeds down, but I also think it is finally starting to help the grass fill in a little bit. The setting I used yesterday is about what the neighbors mow their lawns at, so they will probably be happy. I don't know if I will drop it another notch once the leaves start to fill the yard or not. It looks pretty good now.

I also had a stinking flat tire on my Scott bike yesterday. The back tire. I'd noticed both tires were a little low last Saturday - just from normal leakage and the change in temperature. I went for a short ride yesterday and about 1/2 mile from home I felt it kind of shimmy in the back. Sure enough, it was almost flat. I walked it home and it was completely flat by the time I got there. I took it with me to work today and the girl at the bike shop changed it for $16. She said there was a hole in the side, likely from riding it with low air pressure. She said she pumps her tires up every couple days, and recommends at least once a week. She suggested 60-70 lbs of pressure on my tires, even though they say 85 on the sidewall. 

It looks like I may be getting more hours at work. We've had at least one more person quit, and one or two will be taking other jobs in addition to this one. Of course none of the available shifts will allow me to just work a somewhat normal and consistent eight hours per day, but I haven't really been looking for another job anyway. At some point I probably need to start making some money again...

The temperature has really dropped lately. It is like 50 degrees fahrenheit right now at 10 am. I should be out for a run, but I think I want to wait for it to warm up a little more. It's supposed to dip into the 30s in the morning. Brrrrrr.

I could probably talk politics, but I'm sure no one wants to hear what I have to say. I am also aware a number of family and friends wish I would quit posting about it on Facebook. To which I say, I wish they would CARE a little more! I know most people do care, but I am a little sick of those who "just want everyone to get along." The problem is, but "everyone" they mean themselves. You know, as long as things are okay for them, they think they should be okay for everyone. It's just not that simple. Anyway, I know I need to get a grip. I am afraid the dufus is going to win again, and I'm going to have to figure out a way to deal with it.

So, that's about all for now. It's Friday. The wife and I will both have the afternoon off. There are also garage sales going on in our subdivision, so there's more traffic than the usual none.

***

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” -Philippians 2:3-4

Garden planted; new edging

This has been a day of work and play outdoors. We planted our garden, bought new edging and mulch for the backyard, mowed the lawn, and went for a 10-mile bike ride. Ahh.

Our garden consists of the raised box to the right and the two brick-colored planters. In the box are 2 tomato plants, 3 peppers, carrots and radishes. That's what we planted in the same space last year. This year we are going to try to start blueberry bushes. We have one each in the planters.

After putting in the garden we went for a bike ride. We did the usual route down Lower Huntington to the greenway, around Foster Park then back over to the Tillman Park baseball diamonds, and back home along Winchester Road. It was like 10.05 miles and took us a leisurely 70 minutes.

We've been trying to think of some kind of edging for the spot just off the patio. It has brick in the ground, but that doesn't hold the mulch in. Jane found these 3-foot sections of wood edging/fencing, and it was super easy to install. Unfortunately it is $7 for each section. We just bought 10 of them and this is what we're going to go with. We got a couple bags of mulch, and will need a few more.

Jane also bought some flowers and put in pots on the front side of the house.

So, it was a day spent outdoors. I smell pretty ripe now, so I think I will go take a shower.

Last mowing of the year (shirley)

I mowed the lawn yesterday... surely for the last time this year.

Ironically, in looking back through my archives, the last mowing last year was on the exact same date (11/25)! And in 2016 it was on this date (11/26)! Apparently I didn't note it in 2017, or I just didn't look hard enough.

Anyway, the grass didn't really need mowed, but the leaves needed raked and it was a balmy 55 degrees fahrenheit, so why not!?

We had already done a raking of leaves earlier and they were picked up along the curb several weeks ago. Last weekend I raked up some more and had them ready to be toted to the curb. I just mulched the rest of what was on the lawn with the mower yesterday (I've never actually used the bag attachment like is in the picture above).

I like the look of a freshly mowed lawn just before winter. It's all nice and neat and clean.

I suppose now I should put the mower into storage - run out the gas and switch parking spots with the snow blower.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Memorial day, motorcycle (sold), mulch and more

We had a fairly eventful Memorial Day three-day weekend this year. Nothing spectacular, but a lot that went on - both good and bad.

It started with the air conditioner puking out on Saturday morning. You may have read my post about that already. It all worked out.

Sunday was church, and I ended up having to offer the morning prayer. Not that I minded, but I have always struggled with holidays like this, Veterans Day, and the like. As a pacifist I don't want to glorify war in any way, but at the same time, I have a hard time believing most military personnel would be IN FAVOR OF wars either. Certainly I feel remorse over those who have lost their lives, yet there seems to be a large segment of the American church who believe not being overly patriotic is anti-Christian. Anyway, I based my prayer off Isaiah's "Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace." I'm sure people didn't like that I prayed for peace... but I think that's their problem.

Other than that... we ended up getting ice cream sundaes at The Stand, then we went to Two-EE's winery and inhaled a bottle of cabernet. Sunday evening we cooked delmonico steaks on the grill. Yumm.

Monday was a pretty full day of work... and money!

I SOLD THE MOTORCYCLE!! I'd pretty much forgotten that I put an ad on Facebook last year trying to sell the 2006 Kawasaki 500 Vulcan. A random guy sent me a FB message and asked if he could come look at it yesterday. I was like, "Sure!" He drive down from Sturgis, Michigan with what looked like his son, and by golly... he bought it! He gave me 16 $100 bills.

I can't remember if I paid $1600 or $1400 for it - I'm pretty sure it was one or the other. I bought a battery and a cover for it, and that's the extent of money I spent on it in the 5 years we owned it.

I felt kind of bad, because he rode it home. I told him several times it hasn't been ridden much, and the gas was likely very old... but he took off... and I had my money.

I am a little torn. On the one hand, I never did ride it much so it was silly to keep it in the garage. On the other hand, I always MEANT to ride it more. I also feel bad for the grandkids. I know Caleb, especially, liked sitting on it. I can still remember when I sold my other motorcycle when Isaac was about their age, and he cried and cried and cried. I felt terrible about that. But... I guess there's nothing I can do now (except start wishing I had a motorcycle again).

Other than that, we worked our butts off in the backyard on Memorial Day. We tore out a bush, put some mulch down, and planted a raised garden - all along the back side of the house.

We intended to replace the mulch and underlayment earlier in the year, but it's been so rainy we just never got around to it. As for the raised garden... I built it out of some old boards I had laying around. I think we used 8 bags of a dirt mix from Menards. We just planted a couple pepper plants, some grape tomatoes, radishes and carrots. We are not great gardeners, but it just seemed like something to do. We'll see.

So, all in all, we got a lot of work done, and made some extra space in the garage. I'm trying not to think about the motorcycle too much. What's done is done. Life goes on.

And now it's Tuesday...

The first mowing of the year

Today I mowed the lawn for the first time this year. I wasn't planning to, but after my weekly meeting with Tom (in which he said he was going to mow today), and taking my 5-mile Wednesday run and seeing lots of other people mowing, I thought "what the heck" and went ahead and did it.

The grass wasn't really that long - I had a hard time seeing what I had mowed and what I hadn't - but it does look better having it all evened off. Plus it mulched up all the random leaves and sticks and things floating about.

It was weird using the new (old) mower this year. I think this is the first "opening day" I haven't used the old mower in... geez... well over 30 years. I do like that the new (old) mower is a mulcher. It's much cleaner that way.

So, now the lawn will be ready to (hopefully) be able to hide Easter eggs in it this coming Sunday. I also got the patio furniture out just in case as well. :)

Start me up

Well, not me, actually. However, today I did start up the lawnmower, and the motorcycle, and put the snowblower into hibernation.

I thought I actually had a pretty good idea. When I checked the gas tank on the snowblower it was almost full. So I siphoned the gas from it into the lawnmower. Then I had an almost-empty tank on the snowblower and ran it out of gas. I also now have an almost-full tank on the lawnmower. No gas wasted!

The lawnmower didn't start on the first pull like my old one, but I only had to tug the rope a half dozen times or so and it took off. I guess this will be my first time with a new mower at the start of mowing season.

While I was at it, I also got the motorcycle out and started it up. I aired up both tires and, since it's a fairly nice sunny day (although a little windy and around 60f), I decided to take it around the block or two for a spin. It still seems to work okay. I'm still going back and forth as to whether I should sell it or not.

Anyway, other than using the leaf blower to clean out the garage, that was about the extent of my outdoor activities today.

Raking of the leaves

We spent yesterday afternoon raking leaves out to the curb. It was a nice and sunny 40 degrees and, if there is such a thing as a good time to do it, I suppose this was it. The wee ones in the bottom photo "helped," but the bulk of the raking was done by daughter Carrie and "grandma Jane." I used the blower to get the hard to reach spots.

The city comes through twice to pick up our leaves along the curb. Of course the first time for our neighborhood was last Monday - when we barely had any leaves on the ground - and the next time isn't until the first week of December. As is the case most years, we very well may have snow by then, so they don't pick up the leaves after that.

Anyway, I am glad that's done. I am not a big fan of leaf raking. It messes with my head and sinuses. Any leaves still on the trees will have to stay in the yard. My raking is done for the year. Although I may run the mower over the lawn one more time. We will see...

The new (old) mower

I now have a new lawnmower. For the first time in over 30 years! It's not actually "new"... but it's new to me.

I believe it is a 2013 year Craftsman 21" push mower, model number 247.37037. It has a 190cc Briggs & Stratton Platinum 7.25 torque engine, model number 128M02-0952-F1. It's also apparently equipped with the 'Precision Plus cutting system.'

I don't know about all that, but it seems to be pretty nice. I bought it from my boss for $75. The deck front cover needed to be replaced (it holds the front axle). They already had the part, but for some reason hadn't replaced it and just bought a new mower instead. It was an easy fix, and I'm pretty happy.

Here are the Features as listed here:

• Briggs and Stratton Platinum 190cc 7.25 Torque Engine
• 7 foot-pounds of torque tear through dense growth & wet grass
• Ready Start™ means no prime, no choke, just pull starter rope
• Smooth Start™ Plus gets you up and running fast
• 21 Inch 3-In-1 Deck
• Bag, side discharge, or mulch your cuttings
• Precision Plus™ cutting system gives your lawn a manicured look
• Deck design extends beyond wheels for precise trimming & edging
• Traction Heavy High Rear Wheels
• Sure-grip traction trimming down thick grass & taming wild weeds
• Dual point height adjusts 1.25 to 3.75 in. for any grass type
• EZ Deck Wash System
• Connects to garden hose for fast cleanup & better performance
• 3-Position Ergo Handle
• More ergonomic & adjustable to user for more comfort
• Exclusive front deck handle for easy adjustment & deck protection
• EZ Empty 1.9 Bushel Rear Bag With Dust Blocker
• Helps protect those sensitive to clippings, pollen and dust
• Allows the bag to completely fill with clippings

 

I'm not a big fan of mixing plastic and metal parts, but I suppose there's no getting around that anymore for mowers in my price range.

I do like the 3-in-1 discharge option. The bagger has never been used, and I am currently using it to mulch. I've never had a mulcher (or bagger). I'm just glad it doesn't throw grass all over me anymore, as the old mower hadn't had the plastic discharge shute for some time and I always got filthy dirty whenever I mowed the lawn.

So far it hasn't started near as well as the old mower. I doubt any would. However, to be fair, both times I've started it I had just had it on its side, so it's possible that had some effect.

I picked it up Saturday, replaced the part on the front end, and finished mowing from when I had started earlier in the week with the old mower. I mowed on the highest setting just to try to match the already-cut grass. Sunday I turned around and dropped the deck down to the #5 setting and mowed the entire yard again. It looked much nicer at this height.

It seems weird that there's no throttle, and I'm not a big fan of having to hold the handle to keep it running, but otherwise, it seems to be simple enough. If I can get 3-4 years out of it I will be satisfied. 

I've been anticipating needing a new mower for the last several years. I can't believe the old one lasted as long as it did. And this new one probably worked out better than I thought. They don't make them like they used to, so I'm glad I found this one in good condition for this price.

The day the mower died

You know how people grow attached to pets and the grief involved in having to one day "put them down"? They become a part of the family after say, 10-15 years more-less. It can be tough. You feel like there is a sudden void in your life.

Well, I suppose it may not be exactly the same, but I'd had this lawn mower for over 30 years. I finally laid her to rest this week.

I was mowing the yard Tuesday afternoon, and I thought she was exhausting some white smoke. It turned into more, and more, and pretty soon I looked up and it was like the entire neighborhood was in a fog. That's when I started hearing the 'clunking.' I shut her down, noticed the oil splatters, and just pushed the ol' girl out back. Her suffering is now over.

All summer I was going to have Jane record me starting her up. After an oil change this spring I merely wanted to turn the motor over to disperse the oil inside, and it started up! So I tried it again. I just pulled out on the rope as slow as possible... and that's all it took to get her purring. I began to think maybe she was going to run forever. That's why it caught me by such surprise.

So, I've kind of been trying to not think about it a whole lot. I looked at other mowers that afternoon but I wasn't in the mood to buy anything just yet. I 'think' I may buy my bosses mower. It's a Craftsman that needs a part replaced, which I think I can do myself, and I will likely pick it up later today. We'll see.

I know it's just a mower. It was the first lawn mower I ever bought, actually. The Briggs & Stratton engine is as old as my kids. Originally it came with a red deck, which rusted out a couple times before I found the current green deck in the dumpster at the storage place one day. I suppose maybe next week I will push her out by the curb on garbage day. Until then, she will rest quietly on the back patio.

Bye, bye miss American pie...

Leave me alone

I've spent the bulk of the last two days doing things I really do not like doing, yet when I am done, I'm glad I did it. Change has taken place, and things are not like they were. So much of life seems to happen this way - tedious work leading to something new.

Of course I am talking about yard work and the annual Midwest tradition of raking leaves and preparing the lawn and house for winter.

We have some big old trees in our smallish yard, and they dump a seemingly endless flow of leaves in the neighborhood. I am not really a fan of trees - I worry about them falling on the house, their branches fall and need picked up, and the leaves.... ugh.... the leaves need raked out to the curb.

So I spent two days raking and blowing leaves (with an electric blower) out to the curb in front of our house. It's probably not that bad, and it's good work both for the body and soul, but I dread it so. Following the leaf removal I then mowed off dead flowers and plants and did one final mowing of the grass for 2017. Then comes running the mower out of gas for storage, covering the air conditioner and bbq grill, and placing the patio furniture under the eaves along the south side of the house.

I worked hard for those two days. I was covered in sweat under my clothes, dust and clippings on the outside. My arms, legs and back were sore. But when it was done.... When it was done there is something about the clean simple beauty of a fall-into-winter yard. For a brief few days it is my favorite time of year. While many like springtime, I have always been a fan of the cleanliness of fall.

Well, so there's that. Today it has been raining steadily with lightning and thunder for a seasonally strange Saturday. It is mid-day and it looks like night time. So I'm looking out the window feeling glad I did what I did Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow will be Sunday. Time passes...

Spring green visit #2

Our friendly Spring-Green lawncare person came and sprayed for weeds and put down crabgrass preventative today. The receipt says:

Today we applied 15-0-0 fertilizer with .37 prodiamine. This will provide just the right amount of fertilizer to keep your lawn green and healthy throughout spring. The crabgrass pre-emergent will prevent crabgrass from germinating in your lawn. Post emergent broadleaf weed control was also applied to the weeds that were present at the time of application. Please allow up to 10-14 days for weed control to take effect on weeds present at the time of treatment.

And... that's that.

First mowing of the spring (new spark plug & oil)

I just got done mowing the lawn for the first time this year. It didn't really need it, but I topped off the high spots and clumped together all the little branches in the yard.

It seems I saw a thing on Facebook a week or two ago that I'd already mowed by the end of March last year. If I cared at all I could look it up, but I'm starting to not really care. I don't even know what height I mowed at today. I raised it a couple notches from the last time I'd mowed.

Before mowing I also changed the oil in the mower, sharpened the blade, and put a new spark plug in. I pulled out the old plug yesterday and it was pretty gross. I'm hoping that's why it wasn't running so well at the end of last year. It seemed to run fine today. Though this is the first time I can remember (or one of the very few) that the mower didn't start on the first pull.

Last mowing of the year

Not really our house, but cool nonetheless. :)

Well I would say this HAS to be the last mowing of the year. November 26th in Northeast Indiana is pretty late. And, actually, I wasn't even intending to mow. I was going to run the mower out of gas to store it for the winter and thought I might as well mow off some grass while I did it. I couldn't believe, given the trickle of gas left in the tank, that I got about 7/8 of the lawn done. So I added a few more drops and finished the lawn. It does look pretty nice if I do say so myself.

We also finished raking the leaves out to the curb. Hopefully the city will come and pick them up now. I've heard both ways. I was a little irritated in that they always stress that we are NOT to put our leaves in the street but keep them on the edge of the lawn. I did that, and the city crew apparently drove their truck or tractor or whatever up onto my lawn and left a big tire track! So I raked the leaves out into the street this time.

The only thing I have left to do outside is get the leaves out of the valleys on the roof, clean up along the neighbors fence out back, and if I get a lot of energy someday, I need to trim some trees.

While I was doing the lawn, Jane hung the rest of the Christmas lights. She does our two bushed out front as well as hanging a big wreath on the side of the house. This year she added some garland with lights around the garage door. She also put the 3' tree in the front picture window. I am happy with the minimalist decorating.

So, that's how we spent our day today. We may go buy some Christmas presents tonight. We'll see.

Leaf raking 1 and mowing

Taken this morning from the front window.

Yesterday we raked/blew our leaves out to the street so the city can pick them up this week. This is supposed to be the 2nd weekly pickup for our section of town, but the leaves were all still on the trees (and green) during the first scheduled pickup. So I'm hoping they will come back around later since we still have quite a few in the trees.

At any rate, I used the electric blower and was able to blow the front yard leaves right to the curb and the backyard leaves into a big pile. Then Jane and I hauled 3 tarp-loads out front. Jane also spent much of the afternoon cleaning up the flower areas.

After raking leaves I then mowed the lawn - possibly for the last time this year, but maybe not. I set the mower to the second to lowest notch and mowed it really short so remaining leaves will either blow on past or at least be easier to remove.

For the remainder of the day/night I sneezed and snotted myself silly. I still don't know if it's a head cold or allergies from the leaves, or both, but I am tired of the running nose and watering eyes.

The 7th and final spring green visit

Yesterday was our 7th and final visit from Spring-Green to fertilize our lawn. They applied the 21-0-0 "Winterizer." The note says, "This will provide your lawn with the nutrients it needs to say healthy over winter."

I do have to say that I am pleased with the decision to hire my lawn fertilization out. Yes, it was more expensive than doing it myself, but it looks waaaaaay better than when I tried to do it myself. Plus I never really knew what I was doing, and I couldn't be depended on to do it when it needed it. So I'm glad we opted to go this route. I would imagine we will have them service our lawn next year too. No complaints.

Fall aeration and overseed

With an interesting twist of irony I FINALLY got around to calling Spring-Green today to see if they were planning to do my aeration and overseeding. I believe I've written previously about paying for it earlier this spring, but that they'd not yet done it. I was worried maybe they would forget. So, after a couple months of procrastinating, I called at 11:44 am today and asked about it. The nice lady on the phone said, "Well, this is interesting, actually Paul is scheduled to do that for you today." The receipt says he was here at 10:54 am - so it was just before I'd called! How's that for coincidence? :)

So, for the first time ever, we have had our lawn aerated and overseeded. If I can manage it correctly, this should be what really puts it over the top. Ever since we've lived here I've wished the grass were a little thicker.

The note left in our door says:

"Today we core aerated & overseeded your lawn with Kentucky blue and rye turf blend. Be sure to water sufficiently to keep the soil surface moist. Continue to mow lawn slightly shorter to allow faster establishment for the new seeding and quicker fill of the thin areas..."

They also left a card on caring for a newly seeded lawn:

"Proper watering is the key to achieving good success with your seeding. The areas need to be kept moist, but not soggy. Depending upon the weather and location of the seeded area, this may require daily watering of 20-30 minutes per area. Less water is needed in shady areas or if your lawn receives rain fall. Continue daily watering for two weeks after the seeding is completed.

Continue mowing the areas as well. Mow at 2 1/2 inches throughout the growing season. Even when the new grass begins to germinate, it is important that it receives adequate sunlight. Allowing the established grass to grow too high will block out the sun and inhibit the growth of the new seed.

New seed also needs fertilizer to help it become better established. Continue on your regular fertilization program to ensure the new seed properly develops."

So, there ya go. I guess I need to dig out the hose and sprinkler. I've never been very good about watering the lawn. I should probably take this a little more serious.

Spring green lawn visit #6

Friday we had our "Fall Visit" from Spring-Green to fertilize our lawn. It says they applied 28-0-3 fertilizer at a rate of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet and spot treated broad leaf weeds as needed.

The lawn is probably looking nicer this September than it's looked since we've lived here. I meant to call sometime since the last visit to remind them to do the aerating and over-seeding, but I forgot. I need to do that one of these days pretty soon or it will be too late again.