Feb. 9, 2012

Here's Randy's Weekly KTRH GardenLine Tip:

Issue #244

We sure have increased the size of the GardenLine audience since the start of the year. That's a good thing in the radio business!

I can tell we've attracted a lot of new listeners because we've received the same questions right out of the barrel each weekend for the past month, and that will probably keep happening for the next several weeks. The questions are almost all about weed control, especially clover, dollarweed, thistle and the veritable menagerie of broadleaf weeds that have taken over and thrived in poor soils brought on by the recent drought.

Most of the longtime Lemmonheads listening are probably screaming the answers at the radio. (By the way, we'll probably have new Lemmonhead shirts in a new color in March!)

Recently, I received a sweet email from a lady who was so complimentary about how I handle the monotony of "the same dang questions over and over with such a great attitude." The people who know me well will actually find that funny. But it gave me an idea for this week's tip sheet.

I'll bet all the true GardenLine devotees, who have been getting these email tips and who consult the tip sheets we have online, can help educate the masses.

The challenge is to help me disseminate these "weed killing chronicles" before this weekend's shows. Forward a copy to all your friends, neighbors and family. That way, we can move on to some new and never-asked-before questions starting Saturday. Are you in?! (For fun, tune in Saturday and Sunday and see if you can detect the callers who don't get this newsletter.)

I've noticed a connection between the weeds and how bad the soil is out there. That makes perfect sense, because weeds are going to infiltrate the worst soils and poorly cared-for yards. So, first, a brief reminder that the ultimate defense against weeds is quite simply a healthy lawn rich in organic matter.

Amend, Amend, Amend! To help soils and root systems recover quicker in lawns and landscapes, I'll be on the "organic soil amendment" soap box for weeks to come. Just remember, whether you follow my synthetic schedule or my organic schedule, amending soil this year with anything organic is going to help no matter what.

Two of the easiest amendments to find (other than compost) are humates/humic acid and dried molasses. If you're worried about hardened soils or thatch build-up, make sure you apply this stuff liberally February through May. And almost every one of the "organic" providers listened below probably has some kind of humate- or molasses-based amendment. Now, below is a re-issue of The Weed Warrior Chronicles from February last year. It covers everything you need to know about weed control this spring. It's a handy compilation of the weed-killing advice I've offered for years.

Weed Warrior Chronicles I put together these Weed Warrior Chronicles because I've been getting bombarded with weed questions, both in email and on the radio show. I honestly can't remember ever getting so many on the subject in February. And, looking back, I'm surprised that I've never compiled all my weed wisdom in one article.

If you want to help out a neighbor or friend, just forward this email to them. Or, you could print specific topics and give copies to those who don't have Internet access.

Here are links to everything you need for War of The Weeds:

• Post-Emergent Broadleaf Weed Control (Clover, Thistle, Etc.)
• Surfactants in Weed Control
• Nutgrass/Nutsedge Control
• Grassy Weed Post-Emergent Control (Crabgrass Part 1 | Crabgrass Part 2 | Various, etc.)
• Virginia Buttonweed Control
• Doveweed and Chamberbitter Weed Identification
• Getting Bermuda Out of St. Augustine
• Pre-Emergent Schedule (Part of my fertilization schedule)

Exclusive for GardenLine Listeners and E-mail Tip subscribers:
The new book, 1001 GardenLine Questions with Randy Lemmon
is available NOW at a discount!
It covers how to grow and kill things in the garden,
especially those in the Houston area and along the Gulf Coast.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER!

CONTACT INFORMATION

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