Greenscape Gardens Green Blog

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER, THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

LIFE IS TOO SHORT.....TO TAKE SERIOUSLY.

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APRIL IS NATIONAL GARDENING MONTH

This year's theme is "Give a Garden", represents a rally cry that winter is gone and spring is here. There are five emphasis this year for National Gardening Month. Greenscape Gardens will promote gardening by educating the public about new and exciting plants for 2005. We will also be striving to foster gardening programs that are community driven. If you have any community gardening programs, please contact us and we'll be happy to help you this spring. We are also highlighting plants which will encourage the use of plants in addressing matters of health, wellness and nutrition. The fourth phase of our commitment to National Gardening Month is addressing the environmental issues on the responsible care of lawn and gardens. Watch the Greenblog for upcoming information. The fifth part of our commitment is focussing on the needs of home gardening, the largest hobby in the US.

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HERE'S AN OFTEN ASKED QUESTION AT THE NURSERY, PHONE CALLS AND EMAIL'S

Do you have a product available that stops the balls from being produced from a sweetgum tree?

Thanks, please advise,
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Greenscape Gardens reply:

There are several products that claim they will control/reduce sweetgum production. 30 years of experience has now convinced me the only way to control sweetgum balls is a chainsaw. NO, we don't carry Florell because it doesn't work good enough since the timing of application is critical. Sometimes the window of opportunity is hours.

Sorry, JOHN

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CONTROLLING BROADLEAF WEEDS IN THE LAWN

Identifying the weed and trying to determine why it has become a problem is the first step in dealing with lawn weeds. Some weeds are good indicators of underlying problems. For example, ground ivy (creeping Charlie) readily invades lawns in shade and with poor soil drainage, while knotweed is a plant able to survive in compacted soils. Crabgrass typically invades lawns that are mowed too short or watered too often. Clovers may be a sign of low fertility. Dandelions may adapt to a range of conditions. An assortment of weeds may indicate overall poor conditions for lawn grasses and/or poor management.

After identifying the weeds present, step two for controlling weeds should be to review lawn care practices and make adjustments as needed to assure a good stand of grass. Sound lawn care practices should promote a healthy, vigorous turf able to prevent and compete with weed invasions. These practices include proper selection and establishment, fertilization, watering, mowing, thatch management, and related practices.

The third step is removal of existing weeds. There are a number of herbicides available for weed control, specific to the type of weed to be controlled.

Broadleaf Weeds

Dandelions, plantain, clover, and ground ivy (creeping Charlie) are among the common broadleaf weeds appearing in lawns. Selective broadleaf weed herbicides (weed killers) are available for use on lawns. Greenscape Gardens recommends Fertilome 'Weed Out' for liquid weed control or Fertilome 'Fertilizer with Weed Out' (a granular application). Only apply to actively growing weeds. Additional herbicides are available for commercial lawn and landscape care services for use on lawns.

Thoroughly read, understand, and follow all information on herbicide labels. Avoid windy days, as these materials can damage many landscape and garden plants if they drift (spray droplets land off the lawn). Also avoid hot days (over 85 degrees F). It's best to have adequate soil moisture, but no rain for 24 hours after application. Don't mow for a few days before and after application. Consider selective control of weeds rather than broadcasting weed killer over the entire area. Use caution on newly seeded areas; wait two mowings before treating newly seeded lawns and 30 days before seeding areas treated with broadleaf herbicides.

Early to mid-fall is an excellent time to control perennial broadleaf weeds, such as dandelions. Control may be good as weeds prepare for winter dormancy and lawns fill-in bare areas created by the weed dying readily in the cooler weather of fall. Spring and early summer applications may not provide as good of control as fall. Warmer temperatures also increase the chance of lawn injury. Regardless the time of the year, weeds need to be actively growing for the herbicides to work.

For additional information concerning the care of your lawn check out our recommended lawn care programs. Cool season program OR Warm season program

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