Weed Control:
After a long winter, warm weather has finally given homeowners the opportunity to work outdoors on their lawns. These warmer temperatures have allowed many lawns to green up seemingly overnight.
This spring-like weather has sparked a flurry of calls focusing on lawn care, mostly with weed control to the Cooperative Extension. Sales of lawn herbicides remain brisk. However, many are opting to use alternative weed control methods and forgo the use of chemical weed control measures adopting the attitude, "If it's green it's a lawn." Weeds blending with the turf quickly become part of these lawns. However, there are a few cultural practices homeowners can follow that will reduce weeds without the use of herbicides.
Maintaining a turfgrass that outgrows the weeds is one of the best methods of weed control. Fescue, the predominant turfgrass grown in Rowan County is a cool season bunch grass that needs to be mowed often. Mowing is critical part of its growth and development. Implementing correct mower heights often dictates the decline or even elimination of certain weed species. Studies at N.C. State University have shown that fescue lawns mowed at lower heights have a greater chance of weed germination and establishment. This test was especially accurate with crabgrass and dandelions as well as other different weed seed species.
Fescue lawns seem to grow best when mowed at 3 to 4 inches with a sharp bladed conventional rotary mower. Sharpened blades can make a marginal turf look very good while a dull mower blade actually injures the grass with frayed tips. Damage from dull blades increases possibility of fungal diseases and insect problems.
Fescue lawns also need proper fertilization to actively grow in order to shade out weed seeds. Poor or inadequate soil fertility also affects lawn weeds promotes certain weed growth. For example, clover is indicative of nitrogen deficiency in poor soils. Increasing soil fertility helps reduce incidence of clover and other weeds.
It's best to have soil tested every two years to determine fertility levels that will allow maximum plant growth. Soil testing is a free service provided by the NC Dept of Agriculture. Homeowners are responsible for sending soil samples for testing in Raleigh.
Fescue requires fertilization in the fall and spring for optimum growth. Those that have not fertilized fescue lawns this spring need to do so as soon as possible. Fertilizing fescue in April and May is not recommended because it predisposes turf to brown patch, a serious fungal disease.
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