Question:
Dandelions have invaded my lawn and are taking it over. I've tried pulling them up by the roots, but they only come back. The spray on Dandelion Killer just wilted them a little bit. What do I do next?Answer:
- You can successfully rid a grass lawn of Dandelions with a little patience.
- There are both organic and non-organic control methods. So, let us start with the organic methods.
- Mowing the turf weekly to prevent the puffy seed heads from forming or dousing the plants with boiling water are two suggested.
- However, manually digging them out is by far the most widely used method. You do not solve the problem by yanking them up or cutting off the top growth. To be successful, you must remove the long taproot entirely; otherwise, they do return.
- Many garden centers have a ‘Weeder’ that is ideal for removing Dandelions. The tool looks like a long screwdriver with a ‘V’ shape end that resembles a whale’s tale. Depending on how extensive the problem is, hand weeding can be a tedious task
- Applying a selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds is an effective non-organic answer.
- With grass, ‘Weed and Feed’ turf products and liquid herbicides are the primary solutions, but please read the instructions. All too often, applicator error is primarily the reason for poor results.
- The granular products are best applied with a drop-type spreader and not a hand-held one.
- Also, it’s critical when and when not to water. Usually, you moistened the grass first, and then you withhold water for a day or two but read the label for the specific product instructions.
- There are many brands of liquid herbicides available that kill Dandelions and other broadleaf weeds. You’ll find premixed solutions or concentrates that have to be mixed up before applying.
- Bayer Season Long Weed Control for Lawns is one of the newest herbicide for turf. It’s unique in that it kills the existing Dandelions and then it prevents the dormant seed from germinating for six months. This is assuming you're not going to be reseeding the lawn anytime soon.
- The nursery professional at your favorite garden center is an excellent resource to review your options and make a recommendation. With herbicides, you always want to make sure you got the right product to avoid a costly mistake.
note:
Dandelions are thought of as a weed, but they’re lots of positive things to say about them. They’ve been around since the tenth century and are known as the Swine's Snout, Yellow Gowan, Irish Daisy or Peasant's Cloak. The juice of the plant's root is still used to treat diabetes, to build up the blood and used as a mild laxative. During WWII, Latex, extracted from the roots of Dandelions, was then used to make rubber. The foliage is more nutritious than spinach. It’s high in vitamins A and C and contains impressive levels of other elements. This being said, they’re still undesirable in lawn and fit the classic definition of a weed, any plant growing where it’s unwanted or desired. The same would be true of a rose growing in a wheat field. The Dandelion is among the most recognizable plant. It tolerates many types of soil, from loose sand to compacted clay. The yellow flower forms a puffball, which contains the seeds and is dispersed by wind or kids of all ages as they enjoy watching the feathery material float away.Question:
Can I apply a systemic insecticide plus fertilizer to my roses along with Epsom Salt?Answer:
- There are no issues in simultaneously applying a systemic insecticide plus fertilizer and Epson Salt.
- The fertilizer provides the basic elements necessary for plant growth, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium while Epson Salts supplies magnesium.
- With roses, Epson Salt is applied twice a year, spring and fall to encourage the basal growth along with enriching the foliage color. It is spread evenly over the dip line.
- It’s a supplement to your normal fertilizer, not a substitute. Before applying any nutrients is sure, the plants are watered the day before and immediately afterward once the rainy season concludes.