Asked on May 11, 2015

Fertilizer & weed killer

Edd
by Edd
See explanation with pictures
This is my back yard, it backs up to a wetlands. In the foreground you could see small shoots of cattail sprout through the surface. And taller ones in the back ground. I cut back six feet into the wetlands and have been using Orthros Ground Clear. I acquired two Cocker Spanials and I would like to find a home remedy that I could use on the cat tails and other weeds that won't harm my dogs. I also would like any information on home made lawn fertilzer for the same reason the dogs
Just a different angle showing the grass abutting the wetlands
  6 answers
  • Wow you are so lucky! Our wtlands are disapearing, and all their animals with them. Take advantage of being able to take care of a wetland in your own backyard! :-D I would just put in a nice border (like rocks!) at the end of your sod, and perhaps ask the Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve and Nature Center(708-747-6320) for advice on other local beautiful "wetlandy" plants you can put around on the outside of your border to attract the butterflies and birds. Don't use weed killer or unnatural fertilizer on wetland, because you'll kill the frogs and the birds. Also, since you are on the wetland, you could even have some great luck putting in a natural pond just by digging a hole and putting nice rocks around it! Bottom line: you need to work WITH the wetland, not against it, to have a gorgeous paradise in your backyard, and since you are working with the environment you already have, it will just need a few nudges here and there instead of constant battles to keep it back. :-D
  • OhSally OhSally on May 12, 2015
    I can understand nature can look "messy", but it can also be beautiful. I agree with Solange (above)...get advice from an expert as to what you can plant along the edge to identify "my lawn ends here". Using native plants will help blend the two areas and since they're from your area, they won't need any fussy care to keep them alive. You could get a hefty fine ($$$) for using weed killers near a wetlands because those toxins DO spread and the idea behind keeping a wetland is keeping it as healthy as possible for plants, birds and animals. My brother's neighbor got a $10,000 fine for using chemicals and cutting back natural plants to make a walking trail through "his" wetlands. You're not living in a house that allows you the freedom to do whatever you want...you're limited by being right on a wetland. You can either embrace that and work WITH it or fight against it (which is nearly impossible to keep ahead of) and spend your life cursing nature. Take your time with your efforts...it will take a while to find what works and what doesn't in your particular situation, but in the end it will be worth it! Good luck!
  • I would put in some edging because cattails are very prolific if not invasive. In wetlands you could add so many beautiful blooming plants to attract the birds, bees, and butterflies. Comes to mind is native plant Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower) and native shrubs like Fothergilla which smell wonderful, stay small and are fragrant. Turtlehead (Chelone obiqua) which also loves wet feet I mix natives in my beds to attract nature. You have choices to attract nature. happy gardening Oh and in native areas there is no need to fertilize.
  • Katie Dillon Katie Dillon on May 13, 2015
    Hi there.What a beautiful backyard you have.I agree with the above folks but also have an idea for stopping weeds from coming over a bit thats natural.Take a straight edged shovel and about 6 inches from your grassline make a little trouth by just pushing the shovel in and go back and forth and conyinue down a line.After you have your trouth pour in some white vinager along the line and that will definitly help with making border from the weeds.People dont relize that roundup and such is one of the number one killers of bees and beneficial bugs.It also hurts frogs,snakes,turtles ect.Grass loves nitrogen so if you really want to go natural but some dehydrated cow manure put in a small plastic babypool filled with water and let sit a couple days in the sun then water your grass with it.Establised flowers and evergreens love this too.Espoma is also a good maker of prganic fertilizers.
  • Elizabeth Sagarminaga Elizabeth Sagarminaga on May 13, 2015
    I think one should never use chemical fertilizers as they are too hard and have adverse effects on the soil as well as the plant. One can make use of a number of household tips that prove to be very effective in removing weed. http://bit.ly/19BFHC5
  • Jeff Mcdowell Jeff Mcdowell on Oct 15, 2020

    How can I use cow manure to make my grass grow better?