Get Next Year's Weed Under Control This Fall

It is necessary to mention one thing before we get into the "weeds". It is VERY DRY and it is critically important that we keep watering our landscape plants, especially newly planted trees and shrubs. Regularly watering during dry periods, like we are experiencing now, will help avoid winter damage. Remember, a good soaking once a week until the ground freezes. Older trees need water too.

RoundUp kill in December

One of the most daunting garden chores in the garden, landscape plantings and turf is keeping weeds under control. Some of the weeds we deal with are perennial in nature and survive our winters. Then there are weeds that are annuals but some of these, like Chick Weed, will survive our winters. Right NOW is one of the best times of the year to get a jump on controlling weeds for next year. Yes, I know you want to quit the gardening tasks for the season and just kick back and watch some good football or relax. It's ok if you want to do that but you will have the same annoying job of trying to get ahead of the weeds next season. Remember, they got ahead of you and the rest is history. It is hard to keep up when it is just too hot to work outside.

So let's think about how easy it can be to get a jump on the weeds for next year. First, take a look around and see where the dandelions and other broadleaved weeds have already sprouted and are growing. Some of them will be in the lawn and others will be in your landscape beds. We don't want these guys to flower and go to seed, which a few can do this time of the year. Most of us don't think much about weeds growing now but they continue to be very efficient at moving food to their root system for storage. They will be ready to really pop and grow early in the spring when everything needs attention. If we apply a broadleaf weed control to our lawns by spot spraying just the weeds vs. applying a spray or a weed and feed application when there are only a few dandelions we will save $ and also protect the environment. We want to be responsible when using chemicals so spot spraying may be the way to go if there are only a few weeds.

When it comes to weed growth in the fall the uptake of weed killers is very efficient and the kill is thorough. When the weeds are in flower beds it is best to use a product like Round-Up (see December photo) that is deactivated when it comes in contact with the soil. Due to the cool weather at this time of the year these contact week killers work more slowly and may not appear to be working. Be patient and just make your applications according to the label and watch how effective applying weed killers at this time of the year can be.

Next apply a preemergence herbicide now as soon as you have all the weeds removed from your plantings. Preen is one product that works well when you follow the label instructions.


30 years of Growing
Meadow View Growers
New Carlisle, OH
www.meadowview.com

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Landscaping/Gardening Information:

Related Articles

Pest Control Tips for Maintaining Your Greenhouse
Greenhouses provide a warm, humid atmosphere and are home to a variety of different plants and flowers which is why they are a perfect target for insects. There are numerous types of insects which will want to live in your greenhouse and feed off of the wonderful plants and flowers which you have put so much time and effort into maintaining.
Evergreens Shed, Really?
Sometime during the last month or about this time of year is when many gardeners think their evergreens- spruce, pines and arborvitaes are dying.
Online Garden Seed Exchanges
If you've been gardening for any length of time you have probably realized a couple of things.1: Gardening can be quite expensive2: Finding the plants you really want can be a daunting task.
Overwintering Pond Fish
The metabolism of koi and goldfish is controlled primarily bywater temperature. As the water cools, pond fish require lessprotein in their diet.
5 Simple Steps To Dividing Your Hardy Water Lilies
If you missed the springtime window of opportunity to divide your hardywater lilies, don't worry, it's not too late. Although springtime isthe best time, you've actually got the entire normal growing season toget it done.
Wild Flower Garden - Recreate the Splendor of Nature in Your Own Backyard
A few years ago I made the decision to create a wild flower garden within my existing garden. I had been working to develop a more earth friendly approach to my garden, trying different options for fertilizing and pest and weed control.
Hot Feeding Tips
Summer is the most enjoyable water gardening season and the timeto watch for potential problems caused by high water temperaturesduring extreme or extended hot periods.It's important to feed food that is easily digestible so fishbenefit from fully absorbing the nutrients.
Winter Protection for Roses in Your Landscape
There are several methods of protecting rose plants from being killed or severely damaged due to some of the severe winters we can have in the Miami Valley.
Lazy Fish Worries
If your fish hang out at the bottom of the pond, or act restlessand lazy, then it's likely that your pond is suffering from pooraeration.When oxygen levels drop below 7 PPM it not only affects theability of your fish to breathe, but it also negates your pond'sbio filtration systems.
Tips for Backyard Fish Ponds Care
Installing a backyard fish pond is an aesthetic addition to your landscaping and offers a bit of tranquility as well. However, taking care of backyard fish ponds is not as easy as one might think.
Bare Root Roses
Bare Root Roses, what to look for when buyingThe first thing to look for is the plant's grade.Nearly all bare root roses sold today are grown in the field and are approximetly two years old.
Get your Garden Cooking with Friable Soil
Oh sure, fried green tomatoes are ok; but I'll take an extra helping of friable soil any day! This is the desire of any gardener who attempts to sink a shovel into the clay found in our area. Clay just does not make a great sandwich.
Are You Ready for the First Freeze?
This is about the time we normally get our first killing frost. Is your yard ready, is there anything we should be doing to be ready for the first real FREEZE. Here are a couple of items you may want to check, if you haven’t already:
Hummingbirds ? Attracting Those Little Flying Powerhouses
It's early in May a beautiful fairly warm day so I've decided to enjoy it and sit on the front porch.While relaxing in a rocking chair with my eyes closed, just enjoying the sun and early warmth I begin to hear a sound off in the distance.
Keeping the Balance of Nature: Pond Water Maintenance
You might be tempted to let Mother Nature, tend to your backyardpond, and who could blame you? After all, she does a pretty goodjob of taking care of really big ponds, so why would yourbackyard ecosystem pose much of a challenge to her?Unfortunately, the fact is your backyard pond is only going toget some cursory attention from Mom; the rest of the work isgoing to be left up to you.In the "real world" chlorinated water doesn't find its way intoponds very often.
Garden Makeover On A Budget
There's been a huge increase in the popularity of garden makeovers. Teams of people come in and transform your garden in less than a day.
Tillandsia Airplants - Dont Plant These Plants!
Watch out, it's a tillandsia! Have no fear, I said "Tillandsia," not Tarantula. Although several species of this plant genus have taken on the appearance of the ominous eight-legged spider, you can rest-assured that these plants do not bite.
Mulch Your Spring Bulbs In The Fall For A Beautiful Spring Display
Flower bulbs need a good, long, winters sleep. Like some people we know, if they wake up before they are fully rested, they get kind of cranky, and then they don't bloom well at all.
Planning Permission Tips UK - Landscaping Schemes - Do They Add Value-Is It The Chicken Or The Egg?
Have you noticed how everything looks great at the moment - in the garden and parks I mean. Everything seems in bloom, full of colour and life.
Three Stumbling Blocks to Growing Grapes in the Backyard
Are you one of those home gardeners that don't know the threestumbling blocks to successfully growing grapes in your backyard?Don't worry, you're not alone.I have grown grapes successfully under the worst of conditionssince 1975 and I can tell you that most of the problems gardenersencounter are because they don't understand the nature of thebeast that they are growing.