Does anyone have lawn care resources that take a similar approach as TFP (DIY, mix your own, emphasis on understanding the fundamental first-principle basis for what you're doing)?
Lawn care resources
- Thread starter uwaeve
- Start date
A number of years ago I took a Master Gardner Class and I learned OH SO MUCH! I had a great teacher who spent a lot of time explaining the "why" behind things. It was a time commitment to get my volunteer hours in to get certified, but I could have done the class without getting certified. When I went in to the class I had very little knowledge and I was in class with folks who were doing things like growing competition dahlias (did you know that is even a thing???). I am sure that the level of wonderfulness varies by teacher, but I understand now why I need to do what I need to do. Well, I moved cross country so I probably need to take an update for this area. But hey, years ago I was sure that the neighbor must have a gas leak from the way that her grass was dying. I was right. Who knew lawn care could tell ya that????
Ooops - I am editing because I had intended to give you a link. Since it appears that you are in MA I found the MA Master Gardeners for you: http://massmastergardeners.org/
Ooops - I am editing because I had intended to give you a link. Since it appears that you are in MA I found the MA Master Gardeners for you: http://massmastergardeners.org/
S1ngram
Well-known member
I worked for the Purdue Extension Service for quite a while and taught the Master Gardener class for several of those years. Purdue has great publications on turf/lawn and since you are in the same growing zone as most of Northern Indiana, the advice in the publications should work for you too. Here's the link: http://www.agry.purdue.edu/turf/publicat.htm
Other links you might end useful: http://ag.umass.edu/topics/home-lawn-garden and http://ag.umass.edu/about/extension-field-offices if you have a question for a professional in your area. For the most part, at least in Indiana, the resources are free to the public.
Other links you might end useful: http://ag.umass.edu/topics/home-lawn-garden and http://ag.umass.edu/about/extension-field-offices if you have a question for a professional in your area. For the most part, at least in Indiana, the resources are free to the public.
Thanks for the resources, I didn't know about the Master Gardener certification.
I'm aware of the extension services, and have been reading articles and recommendations for extensions in similar areas as mine. I am using my extension service as my "grass/weed TF100," so I'm confident in my test results, I just wondered if there was a forum where a bunch of knowledgable people got together to discuss these things, like TFP. There is no shortage of forums, I guess I was looking for a screening process, and thought that people at TFP are likely to be similar-minded so could recommend something! I find either chaotic forums where everyone chimes in with conflicting advice and there are no resolutions, or lawn care professional-centric ones that have a disincentive to help out the average homeowner.
I'm aware of the extension services, and have been reading articles and recommendations for extensions in similar areas as mine. I am using my extension service as my "grass/weed TF100," so I'm confident in my test results, I just wondered if there was a forum where a bunch of knowledgable people got together to discuss these things, like TFP. There is no shortage of forums, I guess I was looking for a screening process, and thought that people at TFP are likely to be similar-minded so could recommend something! I find either chaotic forums where everyone chimes in with conflicting advice and there are no resolutions, or lawn care professional-centric ones that have a disincentive to help out the average homeowner.
Tip of the hat to the Master Gardener Teacher.
I also thought, you might try the garden web gardening page for your state. Some are active and good. Some, not so much.
I cannot cay enough for domyownpestcontrol.com Whether is is for pest control or lawn care, they are a great resource to purchase supplies.
Quick update, I think I've found what I was looking for and wanted to share.
aroundtheyard.com has a very active and knowledgable user base. There's no TF-100, but they've standardized on a soil test lab and are very helpful to newcomers. Thanks for the domyownpestcontrol recommendation, I haven't used them yet but figuring out and pricing supplies is easy since they have so much and the prices seem reasonable.
aroundtheyard.com has a very active and knowledgable user base. There's no TF-100, but they've standardized on a soil test lab and are very helpful to newcomers. Thanks for the domyownpestcontrol recommendation, I haven't used them yet but figuring out and pricing supplies is easy since they have so much and the prices seem reasonable.
