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Lawn & Landscape Weed Control
Click Headings to jump to the following topics:
General Weed Control Tips /
Pre-Emergent
vs. Post Emergent Weed Control
Controlling Weeds in the Lawn /
Controlling Weeds in Mulch & Gravel Beds, Driveways, Walks, & Patios
Specialized
Weed Control for Bermuda Grass in the lawn
Hi-Yield Kill-Z-All /
Fertilome Weed Free Zone /
Fertilome Weed Out /
Fertilome Brush & Stump Killer
Click Here for Fertilome's Advice on Weed Control
General Weed
Control Tips:
Though weed control is
much easier than most people think, weed infestations
can be one of the most aggravating maintenance chores
that takes precious time away from the enjoyment of
gardening. What is a weed? A weed is simply a plant out
of place or in an unwanted area. This simply means that
many plants types can be considered weeds when they
appear in areas where they are not wanted.
One of the largest
mistakes made in weed control is that regular and early
weed control procedures are simply not managed.
Understanding weeds and their is half of the battle.
Once weeds get out of hand, many of the most effective
weed control procedures simply are limited and often
timely consuming chores of manually pulling and removing
weeds become required. This can take much of the fun out of
gardening.
Understanding how to
control is much easier when you understand the weed
itself. It growth habits, characteristics, and if it's
perennial or annual, make controlling decisions much
easier. Perennial weeds are those that come back year
after year from their hardy root system that goes
dormant in the cool winter months and reoccurs in the
next warm season. Annual weeds are those that die in the
winter season and only return by the germination of
seeds produced in the previous year.
Another tip to remember in
effective weed control is that an actively growing weed
in it's peak of growth is much easier to kill than a
weed that has hardened off or slowed down in it's
activity during times such as summer drought or cooling
temperatures. Most herbicides work by systemically
working thru the plants metabolism to transfer the
herbicide thru to the root system and inner tissue. If
the weed isn't active, then slow or now transference of
the herbicide will occur. Weeds have to be active and growing before they
are able to be killed. For example, Bermuda grass that
is dormant in the cool season (November - March) can not
be killed due to it's dormant state. You would have to
focus on it's active growing season from April thru
October to be effective.
 Another point to remember
is that most herbicides require to be applied during a
period where no watering or rainfall will occur for at
least 12 hours with 24-36 hours being preferable. This
will vary slightly with different forms of herbicides,
but always attempt to avoid days when rain is expected
and eliminate any manual or automated irrigated during
the day of spraying or applying herbicides.
A product or additive that
I'd like to reference is a surfactant called Hi-Yield
Spreader Sticker which provides a more uniform
application to the weed's leaf surface by reducing the
leaf surface tension. This simply makes what you are
spraying cover farther and work more effectively as well
as makes it more rain fast. This product is good for all
forms of post emergent liquid herbicides.
When choosing spray applicators, always remember to not
use the same sprayer for herbicides as you would for
insect & disease control sprays. Non Selective
herbicides, such as those referenced above, require a
sprayer not to be used for any other purpose. Lawn
selective herbicides require another and other forms of
insect & disease control require a third. This is very
important to remember. Washing out sprayers for use of
other herbicide types is highly not suggested.
There are many special
considerations with managing herbicides for effective
weed control. Below are some tips on specific types of
weed control to help you take the weed out of the lawn &
landscape.
Topic Highlights:
Preventative & Regular Weed Control results in
successful weed control
Know yours Weeds
Actively growing weeds kill easier
Weed Control & Rain don't mix
Pre-Emergent vs. Post Emergent Herbicide Weed Control:
Pre-emergent
herbicides are those that control weeds by killing them
at the point of germination which usually occurs in
early to mid spring. Pre-emergent herbicides are
available in lawn applications as well as applications
to mulch or graveled landscaped beds. Granular
pre-emergent herbicides are most commonly granular in
form and they are simply broadcasted over the surface of
the targeted area, again whether lawn or landscape. They
are needed to be applied before the germination of the
weeds which is highest in early spring, though some
forms of pre-emergent herbicides can be applied again in
later period of the season for continued preventative
weed control.
A special tip about
utilizing pre-emergent herbicides in your lawn &
landscape. Once applied, any form of disturbance to the
treated area, such as tilling or digging, can interfere
with the treated area by breaking up or disturbing the
herbicide barrier created by the herbicide application.
This means, that you want to manage any form of
disturbances, such as digging, planting, or cultivation
before you apply a pre-emergent or remember to retreat
with spot treatments in specific disturbed areas.
A suggested pre-emergent
herbicide promoted heavily at Evergreen for landscaped
areas is Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed & Grass Stopper
containing Dimension. This contains one of the longest
lasting pre-emergent herbicides available, up to 3-4
months when applied properly.
For lawns, Evergreen
commonly recommends either Fertilome Crabgrass preventer
plus lawn Food. A Post Emergent
herbicide covers a wide range of herbicides that work by
killing a weed after it is actively growing and are
usually liquid applied over the foliage of the unwanted
weed. Some post emergent herbicides are granular in
their form and are most commonly contained within
granular lawn herbicides such as Weed & Feed
applications where the herbicide is mixed into the
granular lawn fertilizer.
Whether liquid or granular
in type, post emergent herbicides need to remain on the
foliage before being washed by rain or irrigation to
work effectively. Always attempt to apply during days
that no rainfall is expected for 12-24 hours and always
deactivate any automated irrigation systems.
Post emergent herbicides
are either Selective or Non-Selective.
Selective herbicides are those that can be safely
applied over specific areas with no harm while
controlling or killing the unwanted weed(s). These would
ones such as lawn weed & feed applications that are safe
to apply to the lawn while killing unwanted broadleaf
weeds. Non Selective herbicides are those that are not
safe to apply over any desirable grass, plants, or shrub
and are targeted to a specific unwanted weed by spraying
it directly onto it's foliage. Round Up, Fertilome
KillZAll, and Finale are a few of the most common
non-selective herbicides. These are most commonly mixed
in water and applied in a fine mist over the weed's leaf
surface where the herbicide is taken systemically to the
root system killing the weed.
Topic Highlights:
Early spring means Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Mid spring means post emergent applications
Pre & Post Emergent Herbicides are both needed for
effective control
Controlling
Weeds in the Lawn:
An effective lawn weed
control program will require the application of both
pre-emergent and post emergent herbicides. For cool
season lawns, most dominant in our East TN region,
pre-emergent herbicides, such as Fertilome's
Crabgrass Preventer plus Lawn Food, are applied in
early spring (February - March) to primarily prevent
Crabgrass and a small list of other broadleaf weeds.
An improved application, Fertilome's
All Season Lawn Food Plus Crabgrass & Weed Preventer,
 not
only provides control of Crabgrass, but also a wide
range of other broadleaf weeds. Remember, it is very
important to manage a proper application utilizing the
right volume of herbicide to the targeted lawn size and
know your spreader and how to calibrate it accurately.
Beyond the first application of a pre-emergent
herbicide, post emergent herbicides are to be applied 1
to 2 times during the spring season usually in April and
late May to early June. Post emergent herbicides for the
lawn, such as Fertilome's Weed Out, can be
applied in a granular application within lawn
fertilizers or can be applied separately as a liquid
spraying on formula. If a previous
application of a granular fertilizer with a herbicide
has you not wanting to fertilizer your lawn, then you
may want to utilize a spray on post emergent herbicide
only such as Fertilome Weed Out Lawn Weed Killer.
When applying any form of post emergent lawn herbicide,
use caution to not apply or spray onto desirable plants
or shrubs. Also, you want to apply lawn post emergent
herbicides in-between your weekly mowing intervals. This
would be 3-4 days after mowing and 3-4 days before you
mow again. This ensures both enough weed leaf surface to
make contact with the herbicide applied and enough time
take in the herbicide before being mowed off.
Remember to time your application when no rainfall is
expected within a 12-24 hour period of time and
deactivate automated irrigation systems.
 Evergreen
also offers another specialized post emergent lawn weed
killer called Fertilome Weed Free Zone, a
herbicide with an improved ability to work in cooler
temperatures and with more effectiveness on particular
hard to control weeds such as Wild Violets, Ground Ivy,
Clover, Wild Onions, etc.
Some particular weeds, such as Chickweed, are cool
season weeds and often germinate in the fall season and
overwinter to become evasive in the upcoming spring. To
effectively control these fall germinating cool season
weeds, we suggest
Fertilome's All Season Lawn Food Plus
Crabgrass & Weed Preventer.
Remember that the most effective weed control is managed
from fall thru spring before drought and slowed weed
growth and activity. Weeds that are in a very active
growth state are generally much easier to kill and react
more quickly to herbicide applications.
Also, lawn post emergent herbicides are applied
properly, results are usually seed within a 1-2 week
period of time with some weeds, such as clover, taking
even longer. The first symptoms are stretching and
twisting of foliage and growth due to the rapid cell
division caused by the herbicide. Browning of the weed
doesn't occur until after a 1-2 week period of time has
passed.
NOTE: For control of Bermuda Grass in lawns, click here
or continue below to the article
Specialized Weed Control for Bermuda Grass in the Lawn.
Topic Highlights:
Early spring means Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Mid spring means post emergent applications
Pre & Post Emergent Herbicides are both needed for
effective control
Use controlled & accurate herbicide applications
Stronger is not always better - go by the directions
always!
Never spray or apply during days of rain chance
Make applications in-between mowing intervals
Controlling Weeds in Mulch, Gravel Beds, Driveway,
Walks, & Patios:
Controlling unwanted weeds and grasses within landscape
plantings, driveways, patios, walkways, etc. can be an
easy and manageable task if done regularly not allowing
weeds to get out of hand. Pre-Emergent herbicides are
always the way to start any effective weed control
program. Apply a pre-emergent, such as Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental
Weed & Grass Stopper,
in early spring (February thru March) to kill weeds at
the point of the germination. This recommended
pre-emergent will provide you effective control of weed
seed germination. One thing to remember, this will
assist by controlling the majority of annual and
perennial weed seeds. Beyond the initial use of a
pre-emergent, weed that continue to persist beyond this
period are those not controlled effectively by the
pre-emergent or those returning from a perennial weed
root system not controlled by pre-emergent herbicides.
Continued weed control
throughout the remaining growing season from spring thru
fall is managed by
applying Post Emergent herbicides, such as Hi-Yield
KillZAll. This is a liquid solution that is applied
in a fine mist over the leaf surface of the targeted
weed which will systemically carry the herbicide into
the weed's inner tissues and/or root system eventually
killing the weed. An important thing to remember is that
post emergent herbicides need to be applied on days when
no rainfall is expected for a 12-24 hour period of time
and always remember to deactivate automated irrigation
systems.
Hi-Yield KillZAll
is safe to apply around desirable trees, shrubs, and
perennials due to it not causing any harm to the soil
where applied. One thing to remember is that a post
emergent herbicide needs to be directed or sprayed only
on it's targeted weed preventing any overspray onto
desirable trees, shrubs, or plants. Use caution, but
fine, unnoticeable mist can cause damage to smaller more
tender perennials, flowers, or groundcovers. Using
common sense techniques can make using herbicides safe
and effective. Some plants are more sensitive to post
emergent overspray such as Roses and tomatoes. Use
caution when applying herbicides around these types of
plants.
 Weed
grasses, broadleaf weeds, and unwanted plant growth
present in planting beds, walkways, driveways, and
patios can be effectively controlled by the safe use of
pre and post emergent herbicides. Applying post emergent
herbicides to actively growing weeds in their peak of
growth is always most effective. Don't remove, grub out,
or pull weeds until they have shown fading or
discoloration following application of herbicide.
We suggest making regular
weed control applications in a 2-4 week intervals for
effective control of weeds. Very large weeds can be
pulled, but don't wait until your gardens are infested.
Manage bi-monthly visits until an effective level of
control is acquired and then monthly visits will be
effective. Anytime you weeds begin to get out of hand,
utilize applications every 1 to 2 weeks until control is
achieved again. A walk thru of your landscape to manage
spot spray applications with a pump sprayer is usually
very time efficient. Serious infestations requiring
manual pulling can be very time intensive, so don't let
a weed problem get out of control.
A product or additive that
I'd like to reference is a surfactant called Hi-Yield
Spreader Sticker which provides a more uniform
application to the weed's leaf surface by reducing the
leaf surface tension. This simply makes what you are
spraying cover farther and work more effectively as well
as makes it more rain fast. This product is good for all
forms of post emergent liquid herbicides
Some weeds, such as poison
ivy, poison oak, sumac, tree saplings, honeysuckle,
brambles, etc. are generally tougher to control and may
need a herbicide more effective on woody vines and
weeds. Evergreen of Johnson City suggests Fertilome
Brush & Stump Killer which will provide more
effective control when sprayed on the foliage of these
types of weeds.
When choosing spray applicators, always remember to not
use the same sprayer for herbicides as you would for
insect & disease control sprays. Non Selective
herbicides, such as those referenced above, require a
sprayer not to be used for any other purpose. Lawn
selective herbicides require another and other forms of
insect & disease control require a third. This is very
important to remember. Washing out sprayers for use of
other herbicide types is highly not suggested.
Topic Highlights:
Apply Pre-emergent in early spring (February -
March)
Prepare Post Emergent sprayer and solution by late March
Mark your sprayer for Landscape Weed Control Only
Use caution when applying spray around desirable shrubs
& plants
Apply on days when rain is not expected with a 12-24
hour period of time
Do not pull weeds until fading or discoloration has
occurred.
Actively growing weeds are killed more easily
Regular spot spraying 1 to 2 times monthly is suggested.
Brushing or woody vines, brambles, or tree saplings need
Brush Killer.
Specialized Weed Control for Bermuda Grass in the Lawn:
Bermuda Grass is one of
the most difficult and ask about weeds problems within
our lawns and landscapes. This weed grass can be a real
challenge to manage and understanding the most effective
and limits to it's control is the key.
First, let's identify this
weed as a a warm season weed grass that has no total
selective killer as do many other forms of broadleaf and
grassy weeds. This is what makes it so difficult.
Bermuda grass best responds to non selective herbicides
such as Hi-Yield KillZAll. Control utilizing a
non selective herbicide is limited due to Bermuda
grass's extensive root system that provide it strong
resilience and ability to create re-growth.
 Within
landscape plantings, driveways, walk, and patios,
control is managed by regular monthly applications, but
this is not the method of control within a lawn. Within
lawns, applications of non selective herbicide kills out
desirable grasses as well, making this a choice only
when choosing to kill out total selected areas of the
lawn infested with Bermuda Grass. Our extensive
experience still shows this to only be a method of
suppressing Bermuda Grass, since it often slowly
reappears after total kill outs of selected areas.
Knowing these difficulties
of controlling Bermuda Grass, Hi-Yield has a product
known as
Hi-Yield Turflon Ester that is used as an
effective suppressant control agent against Bermuda
Grass. Used at the label rates of applications, this
product can be sprayed on Fescue lawns to suppress and
stunt Bermuda grass for effective control while causing
no permanent damage to the fescue lawn. Some minor
burning can occur in certain situations, but we strongly
recommend that you do not mix this product stronger than
the label and directions suggest. Turflon Ester can be
applied with either the use of a hose end lawn sprayer
or a pump compression sprayer for smaller spot treatment
applications. For larger areas, Evergreen of Johnson
City suggests using a Fertilome Air-O-Matic hose
end sprayer for ease of applications. This hose end
sprayer can be used to not only apply Hi-Yield Turflon
Ester, but also Fertilome Weed Out broadleaf weed killer
as they are both selective lawn herbicides.
Multiple applications
during the growing season of Bermuda Grass (May thru
September) has shown positive results in suppressing
Bermuda Grass growth. Used at the label's directions,
Turflon Ester will not totally kill Bermuda Grass, but
is shown to be one of the most effective levels of
Bermuda Grass control within Fescue lawns.
Hi-Yield
Kill-Z-All Herbicide:
This product is our
standard non selective herbicide that contains the same
herbicide active ingredient and strength as does the
well known Round Up Herbicide, but at less the price.
Used to kill unwanted weeds and grasses within the
landscape, this herbicide is very safe to utilize around
desirable trees, shrubs, and perennials since it doesn't
harm the soil in areas where it is sprayed. This
herbicide is required to be sprayed on the foliage of
it's target to work systemically thru it's tissue to the
roots. When spraying around desirable trees, shrub, and
perennials, use caution to spot spray selectively onto
the foliage of weeds only. Wetting the foliage of the
unwanted weed is all that is needed and any spray
hitting the soil is simply wasted and not of benefit.
Please,
always follow directions on the product's label. Do not
pull or remove weeds until discoloration or signs of
weed's decline is noticeable. Soil in the treated area
is not harmed, so any planting, seeding, or gardening
projects can be followed after weeds have shown signs of
dying. A great product to use in conjunction with
Hi-Yield KillZAll is Hi-Yield Spreader Sticker
which is a surfactant that assist in reducing the leaf
surface tension allowing improved contact of the
herbicide as well as making it more rain fast.
Where more difficult to
kill weeds such as brushy or vine type weeds are not
responding well to Hi-Yield KillZAll, we suggest
Fertilome Brush & Stump Killer that is formualted to
work more effectively.
Remember to manage spraying of herbicides when no
rainfall is expected within 12-24 hours and deactivate
any automated irrigation systems.
Fertilome Weed Free
Zone:
Fertilome has formulated a
unique selective broadleaf lawn weed killer called
Fertilome Weed Free Zone that has increased and
improved results in cooler temperatures as well as on
some tougher, more difficult to kill broadleaf weeds,
such as Clover, Wild Violets, Ground Ivy, etc. with the
lawn. Most selective broadleaf weed killers, such as
Fertilome Weed Out, work best at temperatures 60-80
degrees or more. Fertilome Weed Free Zone works
quickly at temperatures as low as 40-45 degrees in early
spring. This is a great selective lawn weed killer for
early spring (February thru March) to get a jump start
on those early weeds and can be used thru April and May.
Weed Free Zone can be
applied by using either Fertilome's A-O-Matic
hose end sprayer for medium to large lawn areas or with
a hand pump compression sprayer for selective spot
spraying trouble spots within the lawn.
NOTE: Remember to
always spray selective lawn weed killers 3-4 days after
mowing and do not mow until at least 3-4 days after
herbicide application. This will put you applying
selective lawn weed killers in-between weekly mowing
intervals.
Fertilome Weed Out:
This is Fertilome's
selective lawn weed killer focusing on broadleaf weeds
infesting fescue and bluegrass lawns. Fertilome Weed Out
works by applying a diluted spray solution over the
lawn's surface making contact to the weed's leaf
surface. Weed Out works best in temperatures between
60-80 degees, so it typically works best during the
months of April thru June.
Fertilome Weed Out
can be applied by using either Fertilome's A-O-Matic
hose end sprayer for medium to large lawn areas or with
a hand pump compression sprayer for selective spot
spraying trouble spots within the lawn.
NOTE: Remember to
always spray selective lawn weed killers 3-4 days after
mowing and do not mow until at least 3-4 days after
herbicide application. This will put you applying
selective lawn weed killers in-between weekly mowing
intervals.
After Fertilome Weed Out
is applied to the lawn & weeds, the first signs that
you'll notice is stretching and twisting of the foliage
due to rapid cell splitting within the weed's tissue.
Withering and browning will not occur until appx. 10-14
days after application with some weeds, such as clover,
taking 2-3 weeks varying on weather conditions and
application methods.
Fertilome
Brush & Stump Killer:
Difficult to kill brush
and vines, such as honeysuckle, poison ivy, poison oak,
sumac, brambles, etc., are best killed utilizing
Fertilome Brush & Stump Killer. Other weed & grass
killers, such as Hi-Yield KillZAll will often discolor
and tinge these troublesome weeds, but rarely kills them
out entirely.
Fertilome Brush & Stump
Killer is a concentrate that, when mixed with water,
can be applied over the leaf surface of these hard to
kill brushy weeds to effectively eliminate them. When
using compression hand pump sprayers, it is recommended
that you add Hi-Yield Spreader Sticker into the
solution to make the herbicide more effective and more
rain fast.
NOTE: Always manage
applications of this and all herbicides when rainfall is
not expected within 12-24 hours. |
