Pre-spring lawn care, Part I

EDITOR'S NOTE: Part 1 of a two-part series on Lawn Care

Now is a great time for planning weed control in your lawn. There are two different kinds of weeds to consider. Winter weeds will be discussed first.

The majority of winter weeds are annual weeds. They grow during the winter, flower and produce seeds, and die during the first hot spell in the spring.

Now is a good time to spot spray with a herbicide such as Weed-B-Gone for Southern Lawns or Speed Zone Southern. There are several other products that will work.

Always, read and follow directions exactly. You may spot treat with Round-Up as long as your lawn is completely dormant. Always check the crown of the grass blades for green color. You can use Round-Up if there is no green color on the crown. Remember, Round-Up is non-specific and will kill anything that is green and growing.

Now is the time to apply pre-emergent herbicide to control summer weeds. Here are a couple of cautions to consider when using summer weed pre-emergent:

1) Plan to compute the area in square feet to be treated so you make the proper amount of herbicide.

2) Following label directions, apply one-half the amount recommended as soon as possible and the remaining one-half one month later, but before the grass starts greening up.

3) Do not use a pre-emergent on centipedegrass. After you have mowed your grass twice, you can use the herbicide “Vantage” to control summer weeds such as crabgrass, nut grasses, etc.

Following are four different types of pre-emergent active ingredients that are available. Be sure and compare the labels with the following. Any of four active ingredients will provide satisfactory results. Some of the brand names are also provided.

1) Benefin (Bayland)

2) Dithiopy (Dimeufion)

3) Prodiamine (Barricade)

4) Dimethalin (Various names) Pre-M

Next week’s article will provide information on law fertilization.

contact the Brunswick County Master Gardeners program at 253-2610.