Category: Weed Control

Now that dandelions are flowering or in the puffball stage throughout IN, now is the second best time to control these weeds. Fall applications are still most effective for controlling broadleaf weeds.  It does not take much wind to drift...

Tenacity herbicide (mesotrione) is from Syngenta and it will selectively control crabgrass, creeping bentgrass, nimblewill, and a number of broadleaf weeds in cool-season lawns. It is one of the most unique and effective herbicides that we have tested in a...

Many turf areas required dormant seeding or seeding this spring to help repair damage from last summer and fall. Weed germination is just around the corner and may be problematic on thin turf. Almost all herbicides will affect turfgrass seedlings...

With last year’s brutal summer and early fall, many areas are in need of reseeding. The question comes up about seeding and weed control: should the weeds be controlled first or should the seeding be done first? This seems like...

Per the earlier Turf Tip, select preemergence herbicides with as little nitrogen as possible to reduce the growth flush and maximize long-term health of the plant. The problem is finding a product with little or no N. Do not make...

There are many, many formulations and combinations of preemergence herbicides available for the professional. Following are some suggestions for purchasing and using preemergence herbicides. Control from every preemergence herbicide can vary from year to year, or location to location. Therefore,...

If a preemergence herbicide is justified on a turf area, the timing of application is important. In theory, applying too early will expose the herbicide to soil microbes and processes in the soil that may break it down, allowing crabgrass...

If a preemergence herbicide is justified on your lawn to control crabgrass now, most of those are available combined with fertilizer and you are forced to apply a fertilizer now. Look for a product with low nitrogen and be sure...

Even though the drought has limited some broadleaf weed applications this month, we are now in the prime season for broadleaf weed control. Actually there is plenty of time left for good control. Nebraska research reported in 2002 showed 2,4-D...

Crabgrass is starting to breakthrough in hotspots next to walks and drives, southern exposures, and in thin turf. Though many are quick to question the effectiveness of the specific preemergence herbicide used last spring, the vast majority of the breakthrough...

The small white flowers of white clover are very visible right now and it may appear that clover is taking over, especially under-fertilized turf areas. Clover is a legume and is very competitive under low N conditions, so increasing annual...

Crabgrass and yellow nutsedge are really starting to flourish. Unfortunately, our options for control of either weed are becoming limited. Plus the hot temperatures increase the risk for turf damage with any herbicide applied now. The best current option for...

Poa trivialis is now common in sports fields, possibly due to as little as one contaminated seed source from the many overseedings done on sports fields. Once germinated, Poa trivialis spreads via stolons which may be further spread during every hollow tine aerification. Poa...

Ground ivy and violets are currently flowering and at their peak of beauty, but these two weeds remain tough to control in Indiana . Like almost all broadleaf weeds, flowering indicates a point in their lifecycle where they are susceptible...

Bermudagrass seeded or sprigged into damaged areas will require weed control to maximize establishment. Most herbicides carry precautions on use in sprigged bermudagrass, but few carry recommendations on use in seeded bermudagrass because of the newness of seeded varieties. Following...

Though fall applications are most effective for controlling broadleaf weeds, spring applications are warranted for many turf areas. Now that dandelions are blooming or in the puffball stage throughout IN, applications should be effective. It does not take much wind...

Crabgrass is starting to germinate throughout much of the state and thus preemergence herbicides will be of limited effectiveness. Though some will report burn-back of very small crabgrass with a strictly preemergence application, combining a preemergence with a postemergence herbicide...

The winter annual downy brome is growing aggressively in turf stands currently, almost twice as fast as the desired Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue (photo). Downey brome is fairly easily identified at this time of the year by its hairy...

Wild onion and wild garlic are now fully emerged throughout the state of Indiana and these are two of the more difficult to control weeds. Like the garden varieties, these plants are edible and similar looking, except the stems of...

We have received a number of calls this year about trying to control the crabgrass running rampant in lawns. It's a much more coarse bladed and lighter green than the rest of the grass, so it must be crabgrass? It's...