The Goderich Signal-Star, 1980-04-16, Page 55eep lawn: in good shape to prevent weeds
By Don Kitchen
Department of
Horticultural Science
University of
Guelph
It seems every spring, a
new crop of lawn weeds
appears, -•-along with the
robins, Unlike the birds, the
turf weeds are not a welcome
sight. Gardeners have tried
far years to control
crabgrass in the backyard,
or the dandelions at the
front, with only limited
success.
There is no single answer
to this problem. The solution
to successful weed ''"control
lies irk the correct use of a
number of principles and
techniques.,
Of primary importance is
the general' condition of the
turf area. If the lawn is
actively growing and in good
general condition, com-
petition alone will control
many weeds. Healthy turf
will fill in bare spots, and
damaged areas will heal
quickly. This prevents the
establishment of weeds.
To keep the lawn area in
good condition, several
factors must be considered.
These include variety
selection, drainage im-
provement in wet areas,-
proper rate and timing of
fertilizers, and watering.
Proper mowing height (3 to 5
cm) is important, so that
there is enough top growth to
Maintain a good root system.
These cultural practices
are particularly important
for the control of perennial
grass weeds, such as quack
grass or creeping bent grass.
Plant cuttings
Growing Up
Spring is here, and it's the
best time to take cuttings
from overwintered garden
• plants.
R. A. Flerhing, Ontario '
Ministry of Agriculture and
Food horticulturist at
Vineland Station, feels that a
keen gardener can achieve
good results with cuttings
taken from plants such as
coleus,, fibrous begonia,
impatiens and fuschia.
"The best cuttings consist
of vigorous new growth, 8-12
cm (3-5 in.), with three or
four well-developed leaves.
Root 'the cuttings in, moist
sand or a combination of
• sand. perlite or vermiculite
'mixed with an equal volume
of peat moss."
"In a bright, moderately
warm (15-17 degrees C)
location, rooting should take
place in two to three weeks."
There is no need to use
rooting hormone. The
rooting medium should. be
kept moist, hut hot wet. A
greater degree of success is
assuredt'i••—c ut't'trig's a r e
dusted with a fungicide 'such
as' Benamyl or Captan as
they are'taken.
"The next important
• factor is sufficient light. If
cuttings do not get enough
light, they develop soft, weak
growth as they' strive to
reach the light:"
When healthy root systems
are 'established, cuttings-'
should he transplanted into a.
good potting soil and allowed
to grow indoors until all
danger of frost is past.
"Care and attention • in-
doors toward the end of
March will pay. huge
dividends in the months
ahead. Spring plantings of
strong, healthy stock grown
from cuttings ensure a good
start toward abundant
summer displays." •
Native plants
The.l ea -tacky Coffee Tree
is one of Canada's rare
native trees that will grow
well in southwestern
Ontario. The picturesque
tree can reach a height of 50
feet.
For example a. consistent
mowing height of 4 cm will
tend to discourage quick
grass in a home lawn,
because this plant will not
tolerate a low cutting height:
Currently, there is no weed
control chemical (herbicide)
that will kill perennial grass
weeds in a lawn, without
damage to the desired turf
grasses.
The herbicide 2,4-D has
been used for many years. It
can be used safely as
directed, and is effective on
many broad-leaved weeds,
such es dandelions and
plantain. For more resistant
weed's, such as clovers,
black medic, chickweed, and
creeping charlie, use her-
bicide mixtures containing
2,4-D, mecoprop and
dicamba. To ensure good
weed control, without
damaging other ornamental
plants, proper rate and
timing of herbicide sprays is
important. The usual ap-
plication rate of 2,4-D is one'
ounce' acid (active
ingredient) per four gallons
of water for approximately
2,5.00 square feet of
established bluegrass turf.
Since several companies
manufacture: 2,4-D, and the
amount of active ingredient
varies the rate must be given'
in terms of 2,4-D acid. The
manufacturer's label will
recommend the amount of
product to use.
Herbicides, such as 2,4-D
enter susceptible plants
primarily through. the
leaves They kill by
distrubin.g- the plant's nor-
mal growth pattern. The best
time to spray is during
periods of active growth
(late May threugh June, ani
again in September). Fall
application is often most
successful because weeds
are growing rapidly and.
most weed seeds have
germinated. This allows the
grass to fill in these areas
before winter. Another
advantage is that many trees
and shrubs have ceased
active growth and are
therefore less susceptible to
injury.
. Crabgrass is an annual
grass weed• hich
reproduces by seed. It is a
coarse, prostrate plant,
unattractive in the lawn and
difficult to mow. Some
control can be achieved by
mowing at 5 cm to provide
more shading and limit the
crabgrass establishment.
Proper watering and fer-
tilizer practices will also
help. The object of chemical
control 'is to preve,nt the
germination of the crabgrass
seed. Segd germinates early,
so treatment.. must be made
in April before growth
begins. Late fall (October -
November) applications also
show good results. Some of
the chemicals ' used are
Betasan, Dacthal and
Tupersan. These are
available as granules,
liquids, wettable powders
and in some cases, are in-
cluded in fertilizers. Be sure
to follow the manufacturer's
directions.
Page2S.
There are several points to
remember when using
herbicides. Use a sprayer
reserved for this -purpose,
because chemicals cannot be
washed out completely. Any
cost saving is insignificant if
you injure or kill valuable
ornamentals because of a
conta minated sprayer.
To reduce spray drift, use
a coarse spray with only
enough pressure to get even
cjistribution. Spray when
there is no wind. Early
morning or evening is
usually the best time.
Fertilizers, with her-
bicides added, are quite
effective if used properly.
Use these fertilizers on turf
areas only, as the chemicals
could severely damage'other
plants.
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