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WHAT CAN I DO
BY GEORGE EDGAR
When I answered
the phone at Backyard Farmer this past week most of the callers asked
“How do I get rid of DANDELIONS, CLOVER, and /or HENBIT”. I told them
the best time to control most weeds was in the fall. They said, “I know
that. BUT WHAT CAN I DO
They want to do something now and not
wait. We get impatient. My product of choice for controlling perennial
broadleaf weeds (DANDELIONS, WHITE CLOVER, WILD VIOLETS,
According to the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln Turfgrass Science Program, the best time to control
both perennial broadleaf weeds and winter annual broadleaf weeds in
“In the fall as perennials (DANDELIONS,
WHITE CLOVER, WILD VIOLETS,
“Winter annual broadleaf weeds germinate
in the fall, produce seed the following spring, and die out with the
first hot temperatures of summer.
HENBIT (has the little purple flower), CHICKWEED, and SHEPHARD’S
PURSE are all examples of winter annuals in turf. Application timing
should be similar to perennial broadleaf weeds. Spring herbicide
applications are generally not necessary, or effective, since the weeds
are near the end of their life cycle.”
“Summer annual broadleaf weeds complete
their lifecycle within one growing season. Summer annuals germinate in
the spring, flower, and produce seed early to mid-summer, and die
following the first hard frost in the fall. Common examples are SPURGE,
KNOTWEED, PURSLANE,
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“Summer
annual broadleaf weeds can be difficult to control. Depending on
conditions or species these weeds may germinate at multiple times during
the summer and mature very quickly. As a result, a single herbicide
application will control only a few of the summer annuals since the
others either have not germinated or have grown too large to be
controlled. In addition the summer annuals have a waxy layer on their
leaves to prevent water loss, which will also limit herbicides from
entering the leaves. For effective control apply a preemergence
herbicide containing isoxaben in April to control weeds before they
germinate. Since this herbicide has no effect on emerged weeds, a
postemergence herbicide containing 2,4-D, MCPP, and or dicamba should be
applied for weeds that have already germinated.
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Proper
cultural practices will help limit summer annuals. ”
“Weeds that spread by stems such as
GROUND IVY, THISTLES, OR FIELD BINDWEED, can be extremely difficult to
control. Multiple herbicide
applications may be required due to the spreading nature of these weeds.
Herbicides containing 2,4-D, MCPP, and dicamba can be effective in the
fall. For particularly stubborn weeds, products containing triclopyr,
fluroxypyer, or aminocyclopyrachlor can be used. If BINDWEED is a
problem, a product containing Quinclorac (Drive) can be very effective.
If these weeds are becoming a real nuisance you may consider hiring a
professional to control these difficult weeds. ”
“While complete weed control in you lawn
is never possible, practicing good turf cultural methods and applying
herbicides when weed species are most susceptible you should be able to
diminish the broadleaf weeds in you lawn.”
Resource:
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