Do I Weed & Feed or Plant Seed First?
Crabgrass and other broadleaf weeds invade lawns every year. Crabgrass, the most common, grows in the spring and thrives in the summer. In fall it broadcasts seeds to germinate during the winter. But this isn't only an annual battle because crabgrass seeds put down in autumn may lie fallow for as long as seven years. It's broadleaf kin are as persistent in the battle for space between turf grass and weeds. Some propagate with seed and others live along roots to emerge in spring. Weed and feed fertilizer can turn the battle in your favor. Does this Spark an idea?
Fighting the Turf War
Weed and feed products contain fertilizer to support turf growth and an herbicide to kill weeds before they emerge. Before winter sets in, identify the types of weeds infesting your lawn. According to the Broadleaf Weed Index, ?The existence of weeds in a stand of turf grass indicates a lack of turf health and vigor.? The invaders can tell you about the problems your lawn is having. For example, sheep sorrel thrives in soil with low pH while broadleaf plantain is a sign that the pH level in your soil is too high.
Each state has a network of cooperative extension offices providing a wealth of information for home gardeners. Find your county extension service at csrees.usda.gov/extension/. Check with the local office to determine when temperatures will be warm enough for weeds to emerge. Set the date for weed and feed application before that time. It is useless to apply a preemergent herbicide once the weeds have sprouted.
Purchase a weed and feed combination with herbicides that will target the weeds you have identified in your lawn. Spread the weed and feed in the spring, following package directions. The broadleaf herbicides dicamba and triclopyr are found in several preemergrnt herbicides. They may injure tree roots growing in lawns if they are applied too close to the tree drip line where young roots grow. Locate the drip line by looking at your trees and determining where the water drips from the outermost leaves. Make a generous boundary beyond the tree roots and the herbicide.
Go Green Organically
Corn gluten meal is a natural weed and feed fertilizer. To prevent crabgrass and other weeds that germinate from seed, apply corn gluten in fall. As with chemical weed and feed products, check with your local extension service to determine when the weather will be right for germinating weed seed and apply before that time.
For winter weeds such as henbit and dandelions and annual bluegrass, broadcast corn gluten in fall. This also has about nine to 10 nitrogen and is a strong organic fertilizer.
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