Controlling Weeds in Your Yard
As you walk into many stores right now, you will already start to see fertilizers, weed herbicides and many other types of products for your lawn. Many people across the state of Alabama routinely deal with problematic weeds growing in their yard. Weed removal may seem like a simple task, but the results could be devastating if not done correctly. Here are some steps to consider before chemically treating your lawn.
Know Your Grass Type
Not all chemicals are safe to spray on all types of grass. Many property owners have two or even three types of grasses in a lawn that weeds invade. So, make sure the chemical can be sprayed on those grass types.
Identify the Weed
Identify the weed to understand its life cycle. Chemicals may be most effective for certain weeds at certain times of the year. You could waste time and money if you try to chemically treat a weed at the wrong time of the year.
Practice Healthy Turf Management Techniques
Make sure your grass is healthy before applying any weed control chemicals. A healthy lawn incorporates proper mowing heights for grass, having sharp mower blades, not cutting more than 1/3 of the leaf blade off at a time, and making sure proper fertilizer practices are being followed. You also want to avoid periods of drought and seasonal transition periods such as spring green-up and fall dormancy periods.
Conduct a Soil Test
Soil is where the nutrients are held for the grass to grow. Is the pH appropriate for your specific grass type? The pH determines the availability of nutrients. If nutrients are in excess or are lacking in your soil, then your lawn can start to struggle. Be sure the soil contains enough nutrients for adequate grass growth and to avoid adding needless fertilizer later.
Check Your Lawn Equipment
Do your neighbors, friends, or family members borrow your lawn equipment? If so, make sure the equipment is clean before using to avoid invading your lawn with weeds or seeds from another yard.
Read Product Labels
The label on any chemical bottle will tell you how to apply the chemical. It will also list active ingredients, what protective equipment you many need to wear, and the ideal outdoor temperature requirements for spraying. If you spray yard chemicals during sweltering Alabama summers, then you could damage your grass and other plants.
Remember, a healthy dense stand of grass is the best defense against pesky weeds. Crowding out the weeds and making sure they don’t have room to grow is the ideal goal. Practicing healthy turf management techniques will help to limit weed growth.