Hampden South

Spring Yard Tips

Apr 11, 2001

We can all sense it, Spring is rapidly approaching. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind during March concerning your lawn. If you use a pre-emergent product to control grassy weeds such as crabgrass, it is important to apply this product before soil temperatures reach about 60 degrees (usually late April or early May). If you choose to aerate your lawn twice a year, early spring is a great time to do your early first aeration. If you only aerate once a year, fall aeration may be better since over seeding can be done simultaneously to promote healthier turf.
For those of you who have sprinkler systems, don?’t get too anxious to turn on those systems. Late hard frosts in April can cause damage to exposed sprinkler system components. Remember to hand water your lawn if we go two to three weeks without natural moisture during the winter months.
The key element to remember in weed control is that an herbicide must be absorbed by the plant and move through the root system to do it?’s work. Weed control is most effective when weeds are taking in large amounts of food to their roots. If treatments are applied too early (during rapid leaf development) the weed may die but re-growth occurs from root stock. In addition, too much herbicide may ?“brown out?” top growth before the material moves to the roots. Again, weed re-growth from the root stock may occur.
As you plan the care of your lawn this year, make the environment a factor in the selection of products you use and the way you apply them. Consider using organic-based materials to feed your lawn an excessive amounts of chemicals over your entire yard. This column is provided courtesy of NaturaLawn of America and Hill?’s Sprinkler Service Company. For more information contact K.C. Hill at 303-777-7772.