Have you noticed clover and thistle weeds emerging much earlier than normal? I think so! Once again, the 2011 drought raises another horticultural issue. The good news is the cool-season herbicides I promote control more than the dreaded Virginia Buttonweed.
Years ago, we didn’t worry about broadleaf weed infestations until after January. Plantain, chickweed, clover, henbit, geranium weed and thistle didn’t arise until after a few months of cold weather.
Thanks to this summer’s drought and the freeze of February 2011, there are so many thinned, stressed lawns that the broadleaf weeds are germinating much earlier than expected.
There’s not much we can do about the broadleaf weeds in St. Augustine yards. When used in the cooler months, herbicides for warmer climates can kill St. Augustine grasses. Read about this and how to kill weeds in other types of yards in the “cool season herbicide” tip sheet.
Spot treating weeds in the Houston area? Please add a surfactant to the mix. If you've never heard that advice before, please read about the importance of surfactants during weed control in Houston.
Once the broadleaf weeds are eliminated, apply the pre-emergent herbicides per my fertilization schedule. Pre-emergent herbicides should have gone down a month ago, but it is never too late to do the right thing for future weed control.
Christmas Book Signing - Saturday
Langham Creek Ace Hardware
18020 FM 529
Looking for a holiday gift at an unbelievably low price? Get a signed copy of 1001 GardenLine Questions this Saturday atLangham Creek Ace Hardware. The book will be on sale for $9.99 and I'll be there signing them from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also, I'll have special incentives for the first few customers who purchase three or more books at this incredible value! Already have a copy of 1001 GardenLine Questions? Get a great gift for someone else dirt cheap and autographed to boot!
If you can't make it out to Langham Creek Ace Saturday, the book will be on sale for $9.99 at all Texas Gulf Coast Ace Hardware stores Dec. 14 - 24. However, the only place to get your book signed is Langham Creek Ace this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.