Weed Control
Weeds that occur in turf can be very unsightly, use precious moisture, and rob the lawn of its nutrients. The two most common types of weeds are grassy or broadleaf. Turf grass weeds are treated either with pre-emergence (applied before weed emergence) or post-emergence (after the weed emerges) herbicides.
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Grassy Weeds
Grassy type weeds that most often occur in Minnesota lawns are; Crabgrass, Quack grass, foxtail, tall fescue, and yellow nut sedge. The seeds of these grasses fall to the ground the previous autumn and germinate the following year, from mid-spring thru midsummer. Germination depends on soil temperature, not air temperature, and generally begins when surface soil temperatures reach 55 to 60 degrees, usually around May 15. They grow best in warm temperatures with a good supply of water. Each plant produces thousands of seeds from midsummer through early fall, when the first frost kills them.
There are several approaches to managing grassy type weeds in your lawn. They include both cultural (non herbicidal) and chemical techniques:
As a homeowner, there are many things that you can do to aid GreenCare in providing you with a "weed free" lawn. Below are some cultural methods that can be used.
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Mow as high as possible during the summer months. The seeds of some weeds require high light intensity to germinate. The shaded environment near the soil surface in a high-mown lawn helps deter weed seed germination. In addition, the higher mowing height produces a healthier grass plant. Crabgrass and other annual grassy weeds are much more common and aggressive in lawns that are mowed too short.
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Mow often enough so that no more than one-third of the grass blade is removed during a single mowing. Letting the grass grow tall and then cutting it back to a low height reduces turf density allowing grassy weeds to compete with the desirable grass. |
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Irrigate properly. GreenCare recommends one inch of water per week. Light, frequent irrigation encourages weed seed germination so try and avoid this practice. |
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Proper fertilization will help to keep your lawn strong and healthy to avoid weed infestations. A GreenCare lawn program will take the "guess work" out of it to ensure that this is being done correctly. |
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Aerate your lawn at least once per season to reduce compaction and to control thatch. Aeration is yet another service provided by GreenCare, contact us to today for a free lawn analysis and estimate. |
Chemical weed control is best applied by a GreenCare professional. Pre-emergent herbicides control crabgrass by preventing seedlings from becoming established. To be effective, they must be applied before the seed germinates. In south central Minnesota, seeds can germinate from late April to mid May. To avoid weed infestations later in the season, a GreenCare lawn technician will apply the herbicide uniformly across the lawn to establish a chemical barrier on the soil surface. This barrier will last up to 16 weeks and will provide season long control of crabgrass.
Broadleaf Weeds
Broadleaf weeds that are most common in Minnesota lawns are; dandelions, plantain, clover, chickweed, creeping charlie, spurge, and oxalis. These weeds are most effectively treated with a post emergence application of a broadleaf herbicide. Once again, this is best applied by a licensed and trained GreenCare professional. Call us today for a free, no obligation lawn care analysis and estimate. We will work with you to custom design a program that best fits your needs.
As a reminder, all pesticide products that are used by GreenCare and other lawn care operators are registered with the EPA and have been through an extensive review process. Lawn care pesticides that are sold by retail stores and used by lawn care professionals usually only carry a caution label, meaning they are very safe products when used in a manner that is consistent with the label. GreenCare employs are highly trained on the safe use of pesticides and will not jeopardize the safety or health of themselves or others. |
