Spring Is Near Part 1
With temperatures on the rise, daffodils showing color and life returning to normal after an unusually cold, wet winter, it’s time to think about our lawns and gardens.Our lawns major enemy is lurking just inches below the surface. The seeds from last year’s crabgrass crop are waiting for the soil to warm up to 55 degrees to germinate. This can occur in the local tidewater area very soon. My soil thermometer is reading 49 degrees today. The local weather prediction is for temperatures in the upper fifties to near sixty this week with rain later in the week.How do we stop the germination of the crabgrass seed? The only way to control crabgrass is by using a preemergence herbicide. Herbicides containing bensulide, benefin, dithiopyr, oryzalin, pendimethalin and prodiamine inhibit certain phases of cell division during seed germination. The herbicides is absorbed by the root or shoot, cell division is blocked, growth is inhibited and the immature seedling dies.Most formulations of preemergence herbicides for the homeowner are sold as a dry or granular product. Some companies incorporate the herbicide in with fertilizer but please avoid this product because as written in a previous blog, you should not fertilize in the spring. Turfgrass preemergence herbicides essential do not leach in a downward direction beyond a depth of 2-3 ” due to binding to the soil and organic matter. The herbicide is presented as a percentage of active ingredient (ai). All of the dry formulations of herbicides are stable and maintain their activity for many years if protected from moisture.
Check out your local retailers, see what is available and make careful note of the percentage of active ingredient.
In my next blog entry, I will try to offer a simple approach to buying crabgrass preerergence and spreading it on the lawn.
Tags: active ingredient, Crabgrass, preermergence, rain, temperatures, weather