Weeds Thriving With Rain

I didn’t know there could be so many kinds of weeds that could grow so fast following our recent rains. For most of us, the green weeds are far better than the brown dead grass and bare soils. Reducing weeds can help desirable plants recover faster. Controlling unwanted weeds will allow our water resources from irrigation to be used by more beneficial plants rather than devoted to less desirable or even noxious plants . In beds, shrub borders and garden plots we know that keeping bare soil covered with mulch at least 2-4 inches deep can deter the germination of weeds. If weeds do begin to grow in mulch they are easily pulled or disturbed to the death.  Preventing weeds from growing with a pre-emergent control product is for use before weeds have germinated and become a competitor. These products can be used in lawns and shrub beds, with approval from the label, if you expect more weeds to germinate and appear through summer. Post-emergent products can be used to control germinated and growing weeds. These come in selective and nonselective forms. We are all familiar with the glyphosate products such as Roundup. These glyphosates are a nonselective weed and grass product used to kill all non-woody growth without harming the soil. They can safely be used in an area where a vegetable garden is to be plated later to clean and kill Bermuda grass, Johnson grass and other tough-to-kill weeds. Spraying the glyphosates is often the best option when planting new beds in old grassy areas. If new xeric garden beds or rock mulched landscapes are being installed, it is a good idea to spray the vegetation with Roundup or similar glyphosates several weeks before disturbing the soil with planting. These products along with good mowing practices, fertilizing and occasional irrigation can bring lawns back to their former health without starting over. Read labels closely as many of these broad-leveled products can injure adjacent plants and trees if not used properly.  Some weeds may warrant special action to help reduce them to a tolerable level. Puncturevine- or as we know it goatheads can be prolific following the rains. The trick in reducing goatheads is to prevent them from making seeds.  This can be done with sprays containing broad-leaved weedkillers before they set seeds.   Another, effective method for controlling goatheads is releasing puncturevine seed-weevils, These insects will lightly feed on plants and then lay eggs in the seeds, which is eaten by the developing larvae.  They can be purchased and released from now until early September;

A source of more information and live weevils is www.goatheads.com. Many of the weeds we see in lawns, flower beds and gardens now are annual weeds. They come from seed each year. If we can reduce or eliminate the production of seed this growing season, we can greatly reduce the likelihood of these weeds coming up in larger numbers next growing season. Fertilizing lawns and mowing frequently with a clipping catcher will help. Mulching bare ground in beds and gardens is essential. Killing the growing weed or seed is ideal.