05/17/2013
Springtime, Grass Seed and Drinks
Ah, the arrival of Spring.
It seems that right around this time of the year, everyone seems just a little bit happier and a little less worried about the little things that normally bog us down during the Winter. Gone are the days of shoveling out the car, worrying if your newest shoes will be ruined by the salt while walking to work and most importantly longer days mean less of the habitual doldrums which even the heartiest New Englander succumbs to during the last days of old man Winter.
As some of you may know from previous blog posts, I have become the part time adoptive parent of a rambunctious little dog named “Buddy”. Buddy spends around 3 or so days a week with us at our home as his mother is studying in Boston and does not have time to properly look after the little guy. Hence, my adoptive part time parent status. This works out well for me as I am the quintessential dog person and Buddy has become a very good friend to me and my family. He has quite the personality.
As it turns out, Buddy shares the same affinity for yard work that I do. Whenever I am out doing something in the yard he is always present sniffing, digging or just rolling around in what remains of the beautiful lawn we had last year. As a firm believer in the time honored tradition of neighborhood “lawn wars” which occur in every community across this great land, I endeavor each year to have the nicest lawn on the block. I have to say, that for the past 4-5 years running, my title has been secure. This year, however, seems to be the year of the dandelion, which most of you home owners have unfortunately discovered. That combined with an infestation of Winter Cress (a weird Thyme looking w**d with a touch of white clover appearance) I became worried that my lawn would not even come close to being anything other than a w**d infested pittance of what it was last year. So, after a short consultation with R.J. Sheer (Owner of Ace Hardware on Linden Street – One of the nicest guys in town, by the way) I had a plan to work with. So, Buddy and I dethatched the lawn, limed, and slice seeded the entire property. That and applying Scotts Starter fertilizer, we just had one thing left to do, and that was to fire up the sprinkler system and wait. This is where the drinks come in!
So, as a matter of habit, with the longer days arriving, Buddy, my wife and I try to have a nice drink outside at night (weather permitting) and watch the sunset. Well, truth be told, my wife likes the sunset, Buddy and I were watching and becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of grass germination. So, night after night I would have a cocktail or two, Buddy would chew on his rawhide and we would both lament the lack of progress with the grass. (I could tell that he was concerned as he was running out of nice patches of grass to roll around on.)
Now the w**ds seemed to be doing just well, so in an act of desperation, I once again returned to R.J. who advised that since it had been more than 30 days, go ahead and use Scott’s Step 2 which is safe for seed, but will take care of broad leaf w**d infestations. That was a week ago.
Yesterday, with the temperatures in the high 70’s and a three fingered vodka on the rocks with a splash of water, Buddy and I saw the tell-tale signs of grass coming up everywhere. Will it be a success? We will have to see, but Spring is here, people are happier, and I get to have a drink watching my grass grow. For now, life is good…..
As an avid gardener and a person who likes a variety of drinks, please follow our ever expanding drink menu on Facebook which can be found at facebook.com/metrowestwines. As always, we would love your feedback!
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