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Lawn
Weeds
A
lawn that stretches out all around you, making your home look
like it is floating in a cool, inviting sea of green has long been a
part of
American culture. We spend hours raking, mowing, fertilizing and
watering, and
unfortunately, we also have to spend time dealing with weeds that
invade our
lawns.
• What exactly
is a lawn weed? By definition,
a weed is any plant that
is growing where you don't want it to grow. In your shrubbery border,
grass may
be a weed. In your flower garden, seedling maple trees are weeds. And
in your
lawn, lots of different plants are weeds.
• Is there any
single solution to lawn weeds? Since
there are so many
types of plants that can become lawn weeds, a simple solution is not
available.
Various weeds respond differently to weed control methods. Good lawn
management
is your best defense.
• What is meant
by lawn management? You can
make the grass in your lawn
healthy enough to out-compete most weeds with good management. This
requires
applying balanced fertilizers at the right times and in the correct
amounts.
You will also need to mow frequently, keep your mower blades sharp and
allow
the grass to stay around 3 inches long. If nature doesn't provide
adequate,
timely water, you will have to do so. Following good management
practices will
result in a healthy lawn that can, by itself, control most varieties of
weeds.
• How do I know
if I have a lawn weed problem? How
many weeds constitute
a problem is strictly up to you. Given the expense and ecological
impact of
routine use of general herbicides, you should seriously consider
alternative
plans of action. Many homeowners now believe a little tolerance goes a
long
way. Look over the situation and learn a little about the life cycle of
the
specific weeds. If you only have a few weeds and they are not
aggressive, you
may spot treat with an herbicide or just pull them. If you are dealing
with an
annual weed such as crab grass or annual bluegrass, mow frequently to
minimize
seeding and use a pre-emergent herbicide. Learning about the weeds you
are
dealing with will help you to be more specific.
• Should I use
herbicides? Herbicides are
substances that kill or
severely damage plants. Although we often have to resort to herbicides
to
control certain weeds, they should be used with great care and caution.
The
same chemical you use to kill unwanted plants in your lawn may, if not
applied
carefully, kill or damage other plants in your landscape.
• Are there
different kinds of herbicide? A
pre-emergent herbicide acts
by interrupting germination and development of seedlings. A
post-emergent
herbicide acts on plants that already have leaves. All herbicides
should say on
the package if they act as a pre- or post-emergent. Not all herbicides
are
effective against all weeds, so you should carefully choose a product
that will
target your specific problems.
• What about
products like Roundup? There is
a group of herbicides that
is nonselective. That means they will take action on whatever they are
applied
to, including grass. They are great for killing tough tree seedlings
that crop
up in the lawn, but must be used with care so they won't damage
desirable
plants.
• Can I spread
grass seed on a lawn treated with herbicides? There
should be information on the label of the herbicide you use as to how
it will
affect seeding.
Generally, you cannot seed for 6 weeks after using a pre-emergent
herbicide.
Most post-emergent herbicides allow for seeding sooner than 6 weeks.
Non-selective herbicides such as Roundup generally allow seeding within
7 days.
• When should
herbicides be applied? Pre-emergent
herbicides should be
used when the seeds would naturally germinate. For most lawn weeds,
this would
be in early-to mid-spring and in late summer. Post-emergent herbicides
such as
weed-and-feed and Ortho Weed-B-Gone are effective almost anytime,
except when
it is hot. Non-selective herbicide can be applied any time the weeds
are
actively growing.
Read the instructions on the herbicide you have chosen. You want all
liquid
herbicides to stay on the foliage for at least 6-8 hours before rain or
watering. Some dry formulations are most effective when weeds have
water on
them. Again, read the instructions.
• How should I
apply herbicides? Herbicides
will come either dry (in a
granule or powder) or as a liquid. Dry herbicides often come mixed with
fertilizer and can be applied with your lawn spreader. Liquid
herbicides come
as either a concentrate or ready-to-use (RTU). Both will have full
instructions
and cautions on the labels. Concentrates can be applied through various
types
of sprayers. Even though you thoroughly clean the sprayer after use,
most
sprayers have plastic parts that will absorb some of the herbicide. It
is best
to mark that sprayer Herbicides
Only and use a different
sprayer for
insecticides and fungicides.
• What are some
of the most common lawn weeds? Some
of the most common
problem weeds in our area are dandelion, crabgrass, creeping charlie,
plantain,
chickweed, and quack grass. Even clover
can be considered a weed if you don't want it in your lawn
Contact us now
for a free estimate on a weed free lawn!
Customer
Testimonials
This company knows everything about your lawn. They will give you
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and sell you products and services. Absolutley wonderful... - Yahoo!
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