KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – STOPPING LAWN WEEDS BEFORE THEY START

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – STOPPING LAWN WEEDS BEFORE THEY START

It has surely been the worst winter in my memory. There have been snowier and colder but not many with the long combination of both. But there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Pussy Willows are opening and many bushes and trees are starting to bud.

It’s much easier to deal with weeds before they grow than try and deal with them after they’ve taken over the entire lawn. Here we use a product called a pre-emergent. This actually prevents weeds from growing and obliterating all your healthy grass.

Right now is the time to put this product down to stop the weeds ready to emerge with this little bit of warm weather coming. There are different brands but one of the most popular and the one I am most familiar with is Scotts© Turf Builder with Halts Crabgrass Preventative. Despite the name it does prevent several different weeds not just crabgrass while giving the lawn some much needed food. The grass has been dormant for quite a long time and needs some food for a jumpstart.

Prepare the lawn before applying the Halts. There is a lot of crud left on the lawn after the snow melt. Take the time to vigorously rake. First time through you will rake up all the debris and remove it. The second time you will pull up the grass and roughen up the soil a bit. Using a broadcast spreader distribute the fertilizer evenly. Follow package directions for rate of flow for your lawn. Slightly overlap each row. Walk at a normal brisk pace.

Do not disturb the Halts or the soil for six weeks. However you can add top soil mixed with sand as the grass starts to grow. After the six weeks you can start growing grass. Any earlier and the Halts won’t allow germination. Check this product out at www.scotts.com.

SUE MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO