“A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows” (Doug Larsen).
Imagine how easy it would be if weeds were only self-contained in one area. Instead, they pop up randomly throughout your lawn, in your garden and in your shrubs.
Proper weed control is an important part of maintaining your property. When left unkempt for too long, weeds will spread and grow larger and stronger while making removal more difficult. Safety is a primary concern as improper use of herbicides may harm other plants or pets.
Eliminate Before they Germinate
Early spring is the perfect time to monitor your lawn for weeds. A pre-emergent herbicide can be applied at this time to prevent weeds from growing. A lawn care professional will take into consideration the timing, the method of application and the other plants in your yard to select the most effective herbicide.
The weather and moisture levels at this time of the year make the soil conditions ideal to pluck out weeds should they still sprout. Hand-picking weeds as they pop up help to control them before they germinate, particularly dandelions.
Spot treatments can be effective for some broadleaf weeds in spring before they germinate. It’s important to apply the proper type of herbicide, as some will kill the surrounding grass resulting in brown, patchy spots on your otherwise green lawn.
Identify Weeds and Protect Desirable Plants
While it’s not necessary to identify every single weed on your lawn, weeds in the Georgia region typically fall into two main categories: broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds. Broadleaf weeds include clover and dandelion, pennywort, henbit and Florida betony. Common grassy weeds are crabgrass, annual bluegrass, yellow nutsedge, common bermudagrass and fall panicum.
It is important to identify weeds, as not all herbicides are effective in eliminating certain types of weeds. Some herbicides prevent all new plants (including grass seeds) from growing, while others target only weeds. Improper use of herbicides can harm your lawn and kill otherwise healthy plants and grasses. Consult with a lawn care professional before you apply herbicide.
Control Noxious Weeds
Proper weed control is also important for an entire region to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. While many weeds are harmless (albeit pesky), noxious weeds are the villains of the weed world — dangerous and harmful to other plants and wildlife. Every year, the United States Department of Agriculture monitors noxious weeds and invasive species and posts a list to watch out for. Click here to check out information about Georgia.
Safety
Whenever herbicides are used, it’s important to ensure the safety of desirable plants and of course small children and pets that may play on your lawn. It’s always advisable to keep everyone off the lawn for a period of at least 24 hours after the use of herbicides. If applying herbicide yourself, ensure you have the proper safety equipment (protective clothing, goggles, etc.).
Maintaining a healthy lawn is the first step in preventing weeds from growing. It is tougher for weeds to sprout in a lawn that is healthy, with thick, rooted grass.
Contact Gro-Masters to see how we can help manage your turf and control your weeds.
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