[wardconnor]

May 27, 2017 Put down PGR
June 21, 2017 Put down PGR with iron

 

[wardconnor]

lol. yep that is it. More to come so hold the line

 

[wardconnor]

I have been very busy in my yard this year. It is a multi year affair for me to get projects done. I am one man and am doing it myself for the most part. I get a little help from my wife. I still have many more projects planned. Time and money is what I need to get them done.

April 29, 2017 started a sprinkler zone install. I had hand watered this area for 2 years and grew grass from seed with hand watering.

May 3, 2017

May 4, 2017 did a mini leveling job

May 10, 2017 I tore out this sod around these trees and created this planter

 

[wardconnor]

On May 17, 2017 I created this planter and tore out this sod.

This is a testament that grass can grow in very poor soil conditions. When I stripped the 4 inches of sod and roots there were rocks and road base pit run material under the sod. There were large rocks and pretty much no top soil. See pictures.

 

[wardconnor]

On or around May 29, 2017 I created this fire pit in the back yard and sprayed my neighbors weeds with glyphosate.

 

[wardconnor]

June 3, 2017 through June 23, 2016 I created this bed around the front and side of the house. I also added a irrigation zone to water this bed.

 

[wardconnor]

How much do you consider the path of the lawn mower when determening the edges?

I did not really, although I very much dislike mowing around that round flower bed. On the side, and rear that is not pictured , of the house I went with a square cut strictly for mowing purposes. I just deal with it in regards to mowing.

If I ever get a triplex then I will be changing things up a bit.

 

[wardconnor]

What is a triplex?

This is a triplex. A riding reel mower that mows around 60 Inches wide at one time. Made for golf courses.

I would love to have one. I have 20k sq ft (1858 SqM) of lawn.

 

[wardconnor]

Where did you get the ring in the fire pit? I want details on that build

I work in residential building construction and a homeowner on a remodel was getting rid of the fire pit system that you see so I seized the moment and took it for free.

Its a really simple deal. I have seen those fire rings at different ranch type supply stores around town. The bricks came from Home Depot as I added another layer of bricks from what you saw in the picture.

Easy build. Lay ring on sod. Paint inside of ring on edge so to know where to cut grass sod. Cut sod down about 6 to 10 inches down. Put sand in pit for drainage due to sprinkler running and filling up pit. Lay bricks flat with a bubble level around ring and cut last brick to size with masonry saw or space bricks evenly for no cutting. Use a 4 ft level and check bricks opposite of each other like you tighten lug nuts on a tire. Then layer more bricks for desired height. Add ring back in. Fill with more sand or gravel like was shown in the picture.

The hardest part will be to find that fire ring. Look around at farm or ranch type stores. While your looking there look for urea 46-0-0. You can not go wrong with having some urea laying around. This ring show also has a grill grate and spark screen on it as well. My wife veto'd the screen because it was super rusty. I did not want the grill grate because I figured it would always be in the way.

 

[wardconnor]

Nice edges and fire pit. Looks great ward! What's up with the weed pit next door? I would offer to reno their yard for free and throw some PRG down.

Its just that. A weed pit. He keeps saying that he does not have any money right now to put in a lawn but he seems to find money for other things motorcycles (like 4), RZRs, trailers, guns, trips, etc. I have to choose my words wisely or he gets offended. Funny thing is that his kids are always at my house on my lawn because they do not have a lawn.

He said that he does not want to put in a yard because then it creates more work and he will have to take care of it. I told him if he puts in a lawn (super minimum) I would mow it for him if he bought a good fast lawn mower like a zero turn. We will see. Time will tell.

I am thinking about planting some large bushes that will grow like 12 ft tall to block that view of the weed pit. I am sure that if I do that it will offend.

 

[wardconnor]

I spot sprayed clover with triclopyr 24d cocktail. Sorry wizard but I like both in the same mix. Don't want to hear it.

Put down 50lbs 16-16-8 that I got free from local garden center closing its doors.

Planted 5 lodense privet bushes.

Scored about 500lb fert from said closing garden center. Could have gotten way more stuff... Fert, soil, compost, bark, etc. Went with what is pictured because he said "take what you want but don't be a pig."

 

[wardconnor]

Geez, man! What luck! "Take what you want." Meanwhile most of us schmucks are handing over big bills to the big box stores--and feeling every beep of the barcode scanner.
Nicely done.

Oh don't you worry. I can't tell you how much money I've spent on fert over the years.

 

[wardconnor]

July 3, 2017

https://youtu.be/FRS1Q0orY5w

 

[wardconnor]

Thanks for the nice comments fellas.

Great video. I have a couple of questions

-Are you mowing every 3 days all season long?
-how is the winter damage at 0.7in?

Yes every three days or more. This week of the 4th I mowed Friday, Monday,Wednesday, Thursday. Secretly I want to mow it tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday). I love to mow and its fun for me. The side and back not show in the video is less often. Maybe 2 times per week.

Winter damage is a reality. Last winter we had record snow amounts. The damage this spring was not to bad but by mid April it seems to pull out just fine. We tend to have issues with voles under the snow pack trenching and tearing up the lawn. Luckily I only has issues with that in the back. I like to get out early as I can when snow is melted and hand rake the lawn. It helps it recover much faster.

We only have a few days in the 90s here where I live. I am at 6000 ft above sea level so its cooler than down in Salt Lake City. 103 today in SLC and like 86 here.

 

[wardconnor]

Thanks for the reply. I have more questions. I'm trying to make a decision on my HOC in Indy. Are the back and side also at 0.7 since you only mow 2 twice a week?

Do you get winds during the winter? I'm more concern with dry, cold (<20F) winds (20-30mph) that we get in indy during the winter. It tends to dry out the blades. The snowed covered areas actually do pretty good since they are protected.

I am in a cold climate. Once we get snow cover around Christmas it stays until march april (which I dislike, I do not like winter). Winds yes. Its windy here all the time. I live at the mouth of a canyon and I am in the Rocky Mountains so it blows daily. Not like crazy windy but windy. Some crazy windy breaking trees and other days (most) breezy.

There are a lot of days that high temps in the winter are low 20s and it gets negative temps at night regularly.

 

[wardconnor]

Hahahaha, the first 20 seconds were awesome - now let me go watch the rest.

ETA: The yard looks fantastic - congrats! You can really tell all your leveling work has paid huge dividends. :thumbup:

I have to agree that the 1st 20 seconds are the best. So rewarding to put that sticker on my mower. I hope Andy sees it.

Yeah the leveling is additive. Its hard work but makes such a big difference. Its just not a one and done deal. Tortoise not Hare type situation.

 

[wardconnor]

Thanks for the reply. I have more questions. I'm trying to make a decision on my HOC in Indy. Are the back and side also at 0.7 since you only mow 2 twice a week?

Sorry I forgot to answer this one as well.

As for the side, I cut with the reel mower. I cut that at the same height as the front. I just cut it less often. I will cut it tonight.

The back is about 1 time per week since I have been using PGR. The PGR really has helped a lot. I usually mow that with my Honda HHR216. I have modified the blades to mow lower with some steel flat washers. I made a video on that but have not posted it. This get moved around an inch or so with the rotary. i have never measured the bench HOC. With the washers it will go really low but really tears up the lawn if I take it too low. This going low with the rotary mower comment I just made is sure to get some troll comments. I toot my own horn when it comes to my personal lawn.

My wife does not want me to cut with the reel in the back. She wants that area to be hers for the kids to play on. She thinks if I were to mow with the reel back there then I would treat it as something that the kids can not play on. Also there is an area back there that the dogs ruin with urine. I am not going to fight my wife on this one so I just cut it with the rotary lower than most. I will cut it with the reel once every 2 weeks or so. Whenever I feel in the mood.

 

[wardconnor]

Put down PGR

 

[wardconnor]

Halloween idea for the Conner Lawn.

Ha ha.. Yeah I love this idea 💡

 

[wardconnor]

8/7/17 put down 2 bags fert
8/8/17 I put down CCO.
Put down 100# humate

7/19/17 put down PGR