Almost Time to Spread a Little Happiness

No, I’m not talking about sending Valentine cards, although that would be nice, too. I’m talking about finally getting in my head when it is exactly the time to weed and feed, time to nip that chickweed in the bud, time to choke the crabgrass.

Got it! March 15 and September 15…I think I can remember when it’s put that way. Last weekend, like a whole lot of folks I know, I was out washing the cars, picking up sticks and small limbs and hauling them to the burn pile, spreading new mulch, and just when I was getting that oh so wonderful feeling of accomplishment, I spotted the enemy – chickweed poking its head up already. You gotta love a 68-degree day in February, but what a balloon-buster! Time to get serious about some lawn care.

I’ve done a little research and learned this: contrary to popular belief, pre-emergent weed killers don’t kill weeds and their seeds. They just stop them from growing. And get this: some seeds can last for fifty years! If you don’t apply the herbicide on a regular basis, the weeds can still grow! Hence, the two dates.

If you apply too early, before the real weed growing season, the herbicide will be diluted by snow and rain and won’t work. So, you have to apply just before the weeds get cranked up in the spring. It’s a touchy thing, but if you stay on schedule, application should be successful.

Winter weeds and summer weeds – how cruel is that? The summer weed date is March 15th, because that is usually when average soil temperatures begin to rise. Major summer weeds like crabgrass or clover will only emerge once the soil is consistently warm. I like clover though, and kind of hope I won’t destroy it.

The September 15th date is to catch weeds as they set new seed. The fall application will limit any late fall growth and hopefully begin the job of weeding for next year.

Another way to prevent weed growth in your yard is to repair bald spots. In early spring, fill in those spots by sprinkling grass seed over them and raking lightly. Water the seed in well. Yet another way to reduce weed growth is to mow high. Mow with the blades set at three inches or higher so the grass can shade out the weeds and weaken them.

Watch for those pesky weeds around the edges of driveways and sidewalks. Hot sun on pavement, stones and other hard surfaces will create heat that is damaging to a lot of types of grass. Pull out those weeds as soon as you see them so that seeds don’t sprout and spread throughout the yard.

The forecast for this coming weekend is for typical February weather, so it will be a good time to bring that box in from the garage and assemble the fertilizer spreader I bought last year. Good intentions and all that. Anyway, I’ll be ready this March 15th.