Weeds, weeds everywhere!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Weeds are the biggest complaint in home lawns all across America.  Nothing is more annoying than weeds dotting an otherwise nice lawn.  The best defense is a healthy growing lawn, but sometimes we need to use weed controls to achieve the desired results. Let’s explore how to best succeed with weed control.

Crabgrass is best controlled early, before it germinates with Jonathan Green Crabgrass Preventer plus Green-Up Lawn Fertilizer.  Crabgrass is an annual, grassy weed that germinates in the spring when soil temperatures reach 50 to 55 degrees.  Crabgrass germinates over a number of weeks based on air and soil temperatures, even into summer months.  The first step in controlling this weed is to apply Jonathan Green Crabgrass Preventer plus Green-Up Lawn Fertilizer.  This product should be applied before crabgrass germinates to be effective however; this product which contains Dithiopyr (Dimension) technology which is effective even after crabgrass germinates, up to the three leaf stage.  Depending on what part of the country you live in, and how cold it gets late into spring, an application even until the end of May can be quite successful in controlling crabgrass. If you have had a lot of crabgrass in the past, consider applying this product twice, as a split application. Apply in the early spring and again in late spring.  Jonathan Green Crabgrass Preventer plus Green-Up also controls and suppresses a number of broadleaf weeds. This newer technology is also odorless and clear, using only 1 teaspoon of active ingredient per a 5,000 square foot lawn making it more environmentally friendly.

Crabgrass and certain broadleaf weeds can also be controlled with Jonathan Green Organics.  The only true organic weed control is Jonathan Green Organic Weed Control with corn gluten. Corn gluten also contains nitrogen, so it will start to green up the lawn, making it thicker to help reduce weed competition.  Up to 20 weeds can be controlled with corn gluten with the proper application timing. Applications need to be made before the target weeds germinate in the spring.  Using the Jonathan Green organic method requires a 1, 2 or 3 year commitment from you.  Don’t expect miracles the first year that you use an organic weed control. Patience is required since organic methods do not control weeds as quickly as chemical controls.  If you have had a lot of weeds, use the higher rate, applying 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet.  A fall application of Jonathan Green Organic Weed Control also reduces weed competition the next spring season. Corn gluten is labeled to control and suppress a number of broadleaf weeds. There seems to be some confusion concerning the application of corn gluten to existing dandelions or other weeds.  Corn gluten does not control existing weeds! 

The next family of weeds is the broadleaf weeds, including dandelion, clover, chickweed and more.  These weeds tend to appear in late spring once the weather is consistently warmer.  Broadleaf weeds can also be controlled with a Jonathan Green Weed & Feed Lawn Fertilizer or Lawn Weed Control.  Remember, the tips for success, do not mow the lawn for two days before or after your application; do not irrigate the lawn after application, or apply if it is scheduled to rain for 48 hours after application; and finally, apply these products to an early morning damp or dew grass for best results.  If the grass is dry before application, turn on the sprinkler for 5 minutes and then apply these controls.   

Bare spots in the lawn will be filled with weeds so applying Jonathan Green grass seed is important.  After you have a great lawn it is easier to control the few weeds that may arrive in the future.  Investing in quality Jonathan Green grass seed is also important.  Our grass seed mixtures contain newer, improved varieties that reduce the need for water, fertilizer and controls to look good.  Your lawn can only be as good as the seed you sow.  Remember, the best defense is a goods offence.  Now is a good time to seed your lawn with Jonathan Green grass seed.