Question
When we moved into our house about three years ago we had a beautiful yard. i live in west texas. Now that we have kids and animals the yard is not looking very well. Brown spots, and stickers have shown up this year and i want to know if I still have time before winter to help it. I do not have a green thumb at all. most of my plants die right away that I get and I do not want my yard to do the same thing. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer
Let's start with the Stickers.

Those nasty Spikes are the work of an annual Grassy Weed called the Sandbur.

Ever read Texas Monthly Magazine?

One of my favorite writers, Mimi Swartz, devoted her whole column one time about Sandburs and their Sticker Seeds: 'The best ways to get rid of Sandburs are (a) mow and water your Lawn frequently, or (b plant St Augustine Grass, which shades and crowds out Sandbur, or (c) pull the Sandburs out.'

You can read her entire entertaining lecture on the Internet:

www.texasmonthly.com/ranch/readme/index.php

Ms Swartz recalled the experience of a researcher at Texas A&M University.  She said the scientist 'confessed that it took him three years to get his yard Sticker-free'.  He used a secret technique: He pulled them out by hand.

Impossible?

She adds, 'But it worked.'

Speaking of Texas A&M, believe it or not, there is a world famous Sandbur specialist working there, Dr James McAfee, a Texas A&M Associate Professor and plant physiologist.  Dr McAfee posted a detailed cheat sheet on these bugaboos, which he called 'Controlling Field Sandbur in Turfgrass':

aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/turf/grassbur.html

Dr McAfee used MSMA (except on St Augustine or Centipede Lawns, which will be killed by MSMA).  This is a mix of two deadly chemicals, and he uses them as pre-emergents.  That way they wipe out the Seeds.

Other chemicals that kill Sandburs: Pendimethalin, Benefin, and Oryzalin.  But Dr McAfee left out one important detail:  Oryzalin is a KNOWN carcinogen, and it caused changes in blood forming tissues in one study I know of.  It is also used by plant breeders to alter normal cell division in rapidly dividing Lily cells, transforming a Lily from diploid into Tetraploid.  This is just a side 'benefit' that hobbyists discovered by accident with this weedkiller.  Also, Benefin caused Liver damage in dogs that were exposed to it.

As for Pendimethalin, Cornell University says this Weedkiller 'is ranked more hazardous than most chemicals in two out of four ranking systems, and is ranked as ONE OF THE MOST HAZARDOUS COMPOUNDS (in the worst ten percent) to ecosystems and health'.

At least Texas A&M scientists ALSO point out that Organic controls are the better way to live.  As Dr McAfee points out, 'A dense stand of healthy Grass provides the best Weed control.  Because most Weeds are opportunists that invade weakened Lawns, the fight against Weeds starts with good management.  All cultural practices such as mowing, fertilizing and watering should be done in a manner and time that will favor the Grass rather than the Weeds.  Height of mowing influences competition against Weeds such as Crabgrass -- the higher the cut, the lower the infestation.'

He says that 'frequent light sprinkling encourages shallow-rooted Weeds and seed germination.  Less frequent deep-soak watering that maintains a dry surface layer provides the Grass with a competitive advantage.'

You don't want to wreck your blessed home over this.  Avoid these pesticides and others.  Besides, they are so unnecessary.  You can do this cheaper AND safer.

You have lots of company with your Stickers situation.  It's the price you pay for living in Texas.  Here in NY, we have problems too.  Who knows when some guy will come along and blow up the Brooklyn Bridge?  We deal with it.

Now I have some questions for you:  What kind of Grass did you put down?  What is your Sun situation -- lots of Shade, lots of Sun, a little of each?  I'll assume you need a high traffic Grass because of your pets and children.  Tell me the answers and we'll find out if there is a good Grass just for you.  rsvp,

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER