As usual, folks are complaining that their weed killer applications aren’t doing a very good job killing the weeds in their lawns. That makes sense since, until about now, it has been too cold and rainy for a weed killer to have any chance of working.
Dandelions, plantain and other lawn weeds are perennial plants that come up from a root system established the year before.Because they are coming up from roots and not seeds, they are immune to the effects of crabgrass preventer.
Chemical weed killers (liquid or granular) are basically plant growth hormones that, when applied at the proper time, cause the weed to die from the shock that occurs when the weed tries to grow faster than it is able to.Sort of like an overdose of stimulants.If weed killers are applied too early in the season it will not kill the weeds. Wait to apply Weed and Feed or liquid weed killer until nighttime temperatures are 45°-50°.The best time to apply weed killers in spring is late May through early June.
It is also important to remember that weed killer is absorbed ONLY through the leaves of the weeds.Weed killers need to remain in contact with the leaves of the weeds for a minimum of 24 hours (48 is best) for the weed to absorb enough weed killer to be killed.DO NOT water-in weed and feed or apply weed killer when rain is expected for a day or two after application. Keep an eye on the weather.Even a quick shower is enough to wash the weed killer off the leaves rendering it ineffective
The most effective weed killers are liquid sprays. Liquid weed killers are sprayed onto the leaves of the weeds in the lawn.Since the weed killer is absorbed by the leaves of the weeds the same “no water for 24 hours after application” rule applies with them as well.Like granular “weed & feed” liquid weed killer should NOT be applied to a very dry lawn.
Recently a new, organic liquid weed killer has become available. It is called “Fe Weed Killer” Fe stands for Iron if you remember your periodic table.The iron in Fe weed killer is absorbed quickly through the leaves of the weeds.So quickly in fact that it is toxic to the weed and kills it. The grass around the weed doesn’t absorb the iron so quickly so it isn’t killed. It does absorb some Iron so it may turn a darker green for a week or so after application but that’s it.Fe weed killer may take a little longer to work than the chemical weed killer but is proving to be more effective against tougher to kill lawn weeds like clover and Creeping Charlie. Having an organic lawn weed killer is great news for us, our pets and the wildlife that visit your yard.
THANKS FOR THE READ!
