To Weed or Not to Weed.... part 2

There are many kinds of "weeds" that home owners want to get rid of in their lawns (usually because they mar the beautifully manicured grass).  For lawns, there are three basic types of weeds: grassy type, grass like, and broad leaf.   Each require a different method for control. Because of this, there are more than one type of herbicides. 

Some of the most common weeds are annuals. Each year a new cycle begins.  Seeds sprout and develop into plants, new seeds form and are either dropped nearby, eaten by local fauna, or dispersed by wind or water.  This pattern is repeated until we break the cycle with the use of herbicides (or the tedious task of pulling.)  One of the most challenging weeds are crabgrass; once they take hold they are nightmare to get rid of without harming the lawn.  The ideal control prevents them from developing in the first place.

Applying a pre-emergent early in the spring helps this immensely.  Here’s how it works… it creates a barrier, a microscopic layer that keeps new seeds from germinating and taking hold in the soil.  If left alone, the barrier will last through the germination period and effectively stop the seedlings from developing into pesky weeds.  Keep in mind, there is no guarantee that is 100% effective but it cuts the possibility drastically. Contact herbicides destroy only plant tissue that contacts the herbicide. Generally, these are the fastest-acting herbicides. They are ineffective on perennial plants that can re-grow from roots or tubers.

Some instructions…. ALWAYS read the label thoroughly.  If you have questions, call the hotline or check the website for the FAQs.   Never, ever, ever apply herbicides if the weather is 85°F or greater as ALL herbicides WILL burn the grass as well and you will have a HUGE brown patch.  Never apply the products on windy days as the products can damage ornamental plants touched by overspray.  Don’t mow for a few days before or after application (not exactly sure why but it probably has to do with the cut portion absorbing the herbicide and it being damaged.)

Now keep in mind, there are selective and non-selective herbicides.  Selective herbicides only kill specific plants while non-selective kill everything.  Non-selectives are usually used in driveway and patio cracks and in areas that you don’t want anything to grow – these usually remain in the soil and active, known to ‘sterilize’, the soil for several months.  The non-selective herbicide use Glyphosphate which destroys plant enzymes so that the plant can no longer produce the protein it needs to survive.