Thanks to the rains and wind, wind and rains, rains and wind, and winds and rain for the past several months, I’m pretty certain that this year’s winter and early spring weeds are going to be worse than ever.
I’m going to provide you with several tip sheets on the subject so you can get a jump on everything from grassy to broadleaf weeds in yards, landscapes and vegetable beds.
But first, let me once again urge you to double up on pre-emergent herbicide applications. Because the winds and rains mostly whisked away the regular pre-emergent herbicide application we did last fall, I encouraged everyone to apply a second one. Now, I’m feeling a need to do it yet again.
But, when I say “double-up,” I don’t mean double the dose … I mean add another pre-emergent application to my schedule. Normally, I call for a pre-emergent herbicide application in the early part of February. Well, because of the winds and rain through nearly all of December and so far in January, I say we get the first application down ASAP. Then, wait 45-60 days and get a second application in before the end of February or early March.
I have one caveat, though - if you did a pre-emergent application at any time in December, wait until February 1 and stay on the normal schedule. If you have any questions or need clarification on this, call me on GardenLine this weekend. I have often said that many situations need to be handled on a case-by-case basis.
In the meantime, here are four tip sheets covering every manner of weed control. I know they will help you with what may be one of the worst weed years since I started as your radio gardening information specialist some 20 years ago. Please start with the rules, then read any others that may apply for you.
- 10 Rules of Herbicide Use
- Broadleaf Weed Control (Especially clover this year!)
- All About Surfactants
- Cool-season Herbicides