thane Campbell

Regan Dixon wrote: Just curious, what do you have against dandelions?

Thank you Regan. As for the dandelions, I appreciate they are important habitat for bees. But it seems that they were well on the way to doing the grass in. Those large leave and stem systems were everywhere and not nice to walk in. I rent in a home occupied by the owner. Her yard had been ignored, mowed routinely, but not well. Last year I took a very hands on approach to it, endless hours of back breaking hawkweed and dandelion pulling. I learned to mow long, reverting from a gas through electric to a push mower. Repairing and grooming all season left the season ending with a very lush lawn. This year I will be planting my own vegetable and tomatoes for the first time and maybe some flowers. Its all money I don't really have, but with my dog we really get to enjoy the space. I will work to find some alternates to support the pollinating insects.

Hi everyone. I live in Halifax Nova Scotia. I don't know much about gardening but have been working hard last year and off to a great start this season. I have been pretty effective at removing the hawkweed and dandelions last year and am now turning to some new plants I am uncertain of.

I have been trying hard online to identify an invasive plant common in these parts. There are two pics of it below. It appears to form into a 7 palmate leaf, although that is only clear in one of the two pics. It spreads rapidly after being cut back and creeps with rhyzomes throughout the yards perimeter. Obviously happy in both heavy clay and drier areas all very acidic. I have no recollection if it flowers.

The second one I have two instances of and no idea if they are weed or some ornamental plant of some sort. As they started greening up relatively early I suspect they are weeds, but not knowing for certain I didn't want to yank them out until I was able to know for certain.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Thane Campbell

Mark, thank you for the reply and information provided in your article.

Can someone please advise me if I can safely remove these off shoots shown in the pictures on a butterfly magnolia here in Nova Scotia. The low hanging limbs are making the grass poor under them and rather difficult to mow.

After 4 years of mowing for the lady homeowner upstairs from whom I rent, this year I got way more involved. I spend a lot of my own money and endless hours of my time this year trying to improve the lawn. Now I am chasing weeds around non stop and of course leaving behind the dead spots of hawkweed colonies.

Am I crazy that I think my efforts make any difference? I spend too much time by far, but I do feel some frustrated satisfaction working away. My back shoulders and hips are stiff. I have little free time for anything.

The weeds are non stop thriving in the current situation. The soil is acidic, thin mostly clay. Typically lots of moisture. I put down lime and corn gluten fertilizer early season. I have already replaced about 50sf of sod right off my patio that was far too gnarly to enjoy. I had no idea the weeds were so well established and would require so much effort.

Should I go back to mowing the weeds or be satisfied with plodding progress and keep at it? I have nomoneHere are a few pics. Will I recover any of the brown spots this year?