Lonestar Landscaping

LANDSCAPING WITH LARRY
WEEDS, THE MOST UNWANTED PLANT IN LANDSCAPING....

Some people call them weeds, some people call tham wildflowers. I call them a nuscense. My mother always says "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". A good source of weeds on a new lawn is the dump truck of new topsoil. Always buy weed-free topsoil. Your local county extension agent should be able to refer you to a good source. When buying sod, always inspect it for weeds before purchasing it.

Mowing consistantly, watering, and fertilizing on a regular basis is the best way to defeat weeds. Most weeds will lose the battle against a healthy growing turfgrass. Persistant use of a hoe works well too. Mulching, as I mentioned in a previous article, is also very effective. Be sure to mulch 2-3 inches thick to keep weed seeds in the dark.

Hand pulling is always an effective way of controlling weeds in your lawn and beds. Be sure to get as much of the root as possible. Moist soil makes this easier. I've been told that including your spouse and children counts as quality family time.......

Spraying 20 % vinager is an organic way of treating most broadleaf weeds and can be purchased at your local feed store. Last but not least is spraying chemical herbicides. When selecting a herbicide be sure it is compatible with your turfgrass. For example, the chemicle MSMA cannot be used on St. Augustine. Be sure to identify your weeds correctly, wether they be grassy or broadleaf, and always follow directions completely. Remember, herbicides can be just as harmful to you as they are to the plant if not used correctly.

You can use either granule or liquid formulas. Granules work best if spread early in the morning before the morning due has a chance to dry. This allows the herbicide to stick to leaves and stems , causing it to work faster and more effectively. If using a liquid, it's best to use a ready-to -use (RTU) formula as they are enviromentally safest. Most enviromental accidents happen when mixing concentrates. If you do use a concentrate, be sure not to use that sprayer for any other chemicals as herbicide are very difficult to clean out of a sprayer. You may end up killing weeds and plants.

There are several types of herbicides. Soil sterilants eliminate all plant growth and are seldom used. Pre-emergence herbicides are designed to kill weed seedlings as they begin to germinate. Post-emergence herbicides kill weeds that are already growing and Growth-regulating herbicides, such as 2,4-D, control the physiological process or photosynthesis of the plant. Nonselective herbicides kill all plants they are sprayed on. Be sure to read the labels before making your selection. By the way, if you kill any Ragweed my sinuses will thank you....... Weed and feed products are also available, but are seldom recommended by extension agents except for use in shrub plantings during late winter. Again, proper watering, mowing, and fertilizing works wonders when it comes to weed control, and if done consistantly, will remove most of the need for herbicides . I hope this helps you with your battle against the dreaded weed and I was serious about my comment on Ragweeds. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at lonestarlandscaping@hotmail.com. See ya next month.