SPRING 2024
We had a mild winter this year which caused a lot of moss to grow. You may be seeing it for the first time in some areas. Moss grows like mold. It loves dampness and we have had that. There are a few things you can try to control it. You can mix some baking soda and dish soap in a bucket of water and pour it on the moss directly. Sometimes that works. If the moss persists, I can apply an Iron product when its warmer that usually has better results.
So far this year we are getting large amounts of rainfall. This is going to result in excess growth, which makes life difficult because we want to treat and mow on dry days which we don't have many of.
I am using a slow release fertilizer for color and thickness, but it is the rain that causes most of the growth. My goal is not to make it grow like crazy.
The pre-emergent is being applied the first time and actually does need plenty of water to become activated.
The soil temps are still too cool to get broadleaf weed control, so I will return to take care of them when conditions are right.
The second application will include very slow release fertilizers which will not add to the May/June growth problems. Weed control will also be applied.
BROADLEAF WEEDS
Broadleaf weeds are probably the number one reason people have lawn care. But getting good weed control involves many factors. First of all, the soil needs to be warm enough. If it is too cool, weed control may curl the tops, but in time, the weed will recover. We have had very cool soil all spring, so getting great results now is tricky. Normally by mid-May results are much better.
All weeds grow in cycles. First the seed germinates and a root system is established undetected. Then at the right time, the tops emerge. Weeds you see now germinated last fall.
Weed control products work in the soil for maybe 7-10 days. During this time, microbes in the soil eat the product and neutralize it. Plus, all weeds grow in various cycles, emerging when conditions are right. This is why you can control dandilions in the spring, but see clover coming up three weeks later. Various weeds emerge in March, late April, mid-May and the June and July. If you see new weeds coming up between visits, it's not because the application was ineffective, but that certain weeds just had not emerged yet. Just let me know if you need touch up (4 or 5 treatment plans no charge) If you get 3 or less visits, there will be a nominal charge for re-treatment.
There are some weeds that are not completely controllable, like violets.
Because they have a thick tuber for a root, weed control cannot eliminate them and often show little response when treating. Tubers must be removed to get complete control. My treatment will stunt their growth and eliminate the flowers.