Let me sort through these here and see what I can help with.
1) Blue Grass will turn a nice dark blue if you put iron on it in the late spring. I recommend a product called "NutriLean" or "Ironite" works well also (gotta get these at the garden center...not sold at HD). Just be sure not to put it down too heavily or you will actually turn the lawn grey. Secondly, DO NOT get any on your driveway or you will get brown stains when the stuff gets wet and dissolves. Finally, use a brodcast spreader to put it down and overlap your passes a minimum of 12 inches or you will stripe it badly.
2) Red Oaks. It's hard to tell what could be the problem. Did you use the "What the heck is wrong with my red oak" calculator above?
...most oaks have iron chlorosis if planted in a high PH soil (did you ammend the soil with anything before planting? Are you in clay soil? Did you remove the burlap from the root ball b4 planting? Was the root ball set a couple inches above the existing grade? ...what size joists are under your lawn? Does it stand up to the jump up and down test?
).
The best way to get iron in the tree is through a trunk injection. Not usually recommended for the DIY. However, on smaller trees, you can get sprays and also root feeders that will help. As far as the bare branches...cut one off near the tip...if the inside is green and flexible, it ain't dead. If it is brown and brittle, cut it off lower until you hit a green area...then prune it to a point where it looks good.
3) Seeding lawn help: Raking is nice, aeration is good, slit seeding is best....and damp Fall conditions are not quite enough (new seed needs watering 3X per day for 2 weeks). Also, different grass types have different germination rates (Rye comes up in 6 or 7 days, KY blue comes up in 14-18 days). For seeding in Milwaukee, I recommend a nice mix of Perennial Ryegrass and KY Blue for full sun. The more expensive seed is better because it is filtered and doesn't have weed seed included. Scott's seed is very good quality. Avoid the big bags that read "Landscapers Mix." They are full of crap. Look at the lable on the bag and see what the % of noxious weed seed is. Also, you don't want a lot of "inert matter." Inert matter is another phrase for, "This bag contains some crap."
Finally, the best way to seed an existing lawn is to rent a slit seeder. It's about twice as big as a lawn mower. It actually makes small trenches or slits in the lawn and drops seed in them, then covers them. You should have enough seed to put down about 40lbs per 1,000 sq ft. (my opinion here).
Slit seed the lawn in a checkerboard pattern to avoid the appearance of lines. IOW, run the machine North and South, then again, East and West. You can do this NOW and the seed will germinate in Spring. This is called "dormant seeding"
Last thing: Spread a good starter fertilizer over the lawn. 20-10-10 or 20-20-10 are good rates.
Also, if you decide to wait until Spring to seed, be aware that you must get your seed down and germinated prior to May 1 so you can still get your crabgrass preemergent down in time.
Remember: The keys to seed success are: 1) constant moisture, and 2) seed-to-soil contact
4) Don't know about the zuchini much...I'm more of an ornamental specialist. I like it on the grill with some butter slathered on it though.
5) moles are in your lawn because there is food for em' there. Usually grub worms. Kill the grubs, lose (some) of the moles. I've also had luck with a pellet gun. ---ole wives tale: Drop slightly chewed juicy fruit gum in the burrows...mole smells, mole eats, mole has major bowel issues, bam...dead mole.
6) Here's the hydrangea help.
http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/pruning.html
It all depends on what kind you have. I, personally, do not prune mine back.
Hope this helps.
I'll be down in Atlanta golfing over the next 4 days, (envy me, all) so when I get back, I'll jump back on this thread.
Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this forum.
BTW--I have a book coming out soon. It's titled:
Big AL's booK on: Grass Over Your World.
I may even start an entire forum for Green Industry Pros and DIY's alike. I was thinking we could give free advice and stuff.
Pretty original idea eh?
sorry, CX, no clue on the potted beggar weed you have there. Try it on a salad with ranch or blue cheese and tell me what happens, ok?
