The best weed control in a lawn is to create a thick, dense turf that naturally outcompetes and prevents weed invasion. There are many steps involved, including proper fertilization, irrigation, species selection, mowing and cultivation. Another useful tool is the use of herbicides.
Category: Annual Weeds
Dormant Seeding for Lawns
With dormant seeding, the main objective is to get the seeds into the soil when it physically can be done and then remain in a holding pattern until the first rays of the April sun warm the soil and encourage growth. Sure, mid to late April might turn out to be a conducive time as well, but what if it isn’t?
Lawn Renovation – First Steps
We’ve been dealing with the “Dog Days of Summer” for a couple of weeks now. One of the things that go with this time of year are bad looking lawns, many of which need lawn renovation. Mid-August is the time for step 1 of that process. Steps 2 to 8 should take place in late…
Preemergence Herbicides for the Lawn – When, Where and How Much?
The traditional question for spring lawn management – when is the best time to put on a preemergence herbicide? Also called “crabgrass preventer”, timing is important, but is not the only consideration. In addition to timing, there are at least 5 others. Target temperature – Since the weeds that are targeted with these products…
Weed Musings
In the midst of September, if weed management isn’t on your autumn to-do list, it definitely should be. Fall is the best time to be applying herbicides to perennial weeds. Why is this so? As plants ready for winter, sugars produced in leaves are transported to the roots for storage. With herbicide applications, the plant’s…
Managing Weeds in the Garden and Lawn
Weeds may be our least favorite topic but still one of the driving forces behind phone and email questions right now, with “How do I kill…?” leading the discussion. Weed identification may seem immaterial, after all, the consuming focus is to be rid of the pesky plant, but in reality, this should always be the…
Apply a Preemergence Herbicide – Lawn & Garden
Each year, we struggle to keep the weeds out of the garden and lawn. Oh sure, not too many show up in May, and the ones that do sprout are easily controlled with a hoe or a dandelion digger. However, human nature being as it is, we soon tire of weeding. When early summer rolls…
Post Frost Weed Control
So, it frosted. In some areas, it was a hard frost with temperatures down in the 26 degree F range, and in others, plus/minus 30 degrees. At this point in October, the question is: Is it a good idea to apply a post emergence herbicide to the lawn, considering the recent frost? The answer? It…