Attention All Weed Owners!

If you have neglected your lawn this summer you can still redeem yourself. Even if you have been your turf’s true-blue pal, Fall is your last chance to take care of some significant details that will prepare your lawn for a healthy winter and give it a strong start for next spring. If you put off doing this very important lawn care now, your lawn health will suffer and your weed care will go up dramatically.

Cut a Little Higher

Raise the height of your mower. As late fall approaches, gradually bring the cutting height up on your mower, 1/2 to 1 inch would be fine. The key here is that most weed seeds need sunlight to germinate. A little taller turf will help shade the soil. Also, keep mowing right up to the time your turf goes dormant. A smooth well cut lawn will allow leaves to blow into your neighbor’s yard instead of being caught in yours.

Don’t Miss the Fall Fertilization

Good lawn care is always the best key to weed control. According to H. S. Stevens, retired county extension agent, “ . . .this is arguably the most important fertilization of the year.” Now is the time when your lawn can really chow down and make good use of fertilizer. Fertilizer provides nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and certain key elements like iron. The root absorbs these nutrients along with air and water. Sunlight helps turn these nutrients into carbohydrates, which are used to fuel plant processes such as maintenance and growth. Excess carbs are stored in the root system to stimulate root development during the dormant season and fuel re-growth in the spring. So don’t put your lawn on a low-carb diet.

Apply a 4-1-2 ratio release mineral fertilizer (such as 20- 5-10) or your favorite organic brand. Slow release is good but if you are late and don’t get this done until October use a 3-1-2 ratio because you will need less nitrogen the later the application and slow release will not be necessary. Your lawn’s growth will start to slow down by late September, so nutrients go to the roots for a strong start next spring.

Apply Pre-emergent Weed Killer Now

Many people say they don’t understand why their lawn looks so bad in February. The grass is still brown but they have every weed in Texas growing six inches high. This is a true ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure story. Now is the time to control winter and early spring weeds and grasses. Annual ryegrass, henbit, dandelion and many other weeds will start to germinate this month as temperature drops and rain increases. If you wait, you’re going to have an ugly yard and you will spend more time and money to control the problem later. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent the roots from developing as the seed germinates. You must apply the pre-emergent before the end of September or it’s too late. Several brands are available to control both grassy and broadleaf weeds. Check with your local nursery or garden center.

You can put the broadleaf product on the same day as the grassy pre-emergent, but do not try to mix them in the spreader. Make two passes, then water the lawn lightly to carry the granules to the soil’s surface. Watering is mandatory; don’t skip this step. If your lawn is new - less than four weeks from installation, and you have not mowed it a minimum of three times, do not use a pre-emergent at this time. Also if you intend to over-seed with a winter grass, do not use a pre-emergent.

An organic product called corn gluten meal will control both types of weeds and is also a source of nitrogen. Apply it at the rate of 20 lb. per 1000 sq. ft. Never use “Weed and Feed” products, especially if they contain Atrizine as this can damage your trees and shrubs, plus contaminate water resources. I find it is best to use a drop spreader to apply corn gluten meal because it is of such a fine texture. A broadcast spreader will allow the wind to blow the product all over, including in your face and eyes. The first time I applied corn gluten meal I used the broadcast type spreader and you would have thought I was a duck. My shoes and pant cuffs were a beautiful yellow-orange color.

Mow or Remove Leaves

Leaving debris on the lawn can smother the grass and create problems with winter or early spring diseases. If you have only a light amount of leaves, mowing over them will help your soil by applying needed organic matter to your yard. If you have a large amount of leaves mowing may not be an option. Rake leaves and apply them to your garden beds as mulch or compost them for use in your beds next spring. Remember, if you can see the weeds, you blew it. September is your prime month for lawn care. (This article is by John Hunt, member of the First Men’s Garden Club of Dallas and taken from their newsletter, The Green Thumb.)