PPDL Picture of the Week
October 2, 2017
Fall, a Great Time to Control Perennial Broadleaf Weeds
John Orick, Purdue Master Gardener State Coordinator, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Fall is the prime time of the year
to control perennial broadleaf weeds like dandelion, buckhorn plantain, ground
ivy, violet, clover, etc. (See photo). As winter approaches, food reserves in
the weed plants will be moving toward stems and roots. Herbicides sprayed onto
the plants during fall will move with these reserves to offer better control of
perennial broadleaf weeds compared to spring herbicide applications. As with
most pest control, applying the appropriate pesticide product is just one part
of a comprehensive approach to controlling the pest. This is also true for weed
control in lawns. Lawn care practices such as choosing an adapted grass
species, fertilizing cool-season turf at least once per year in the fall,
mowing at the proper height, watering properly, correcting poor drainage, core
aerifying compacted areas, and treating insects and disease when feasible, are
all ways to encourage healthy turf growth that competes with weeds.
Here are some tips for controlling
perennial broadleaf weeds in home lawns:
Identify problem weeds and their
life cycle. Herbicide product choice and application timing vary depending on
the weed species and the plant’s life cycle. Perennial (life cycle) broadleaf
weeds are best controlled in the fall.
Liquid products applied by spraying
the herbicide directly on the plants are more effective than granular herbicide
products.
Apply only enough spray to cover the
weed leaves but not drench them.
Avoid spraying broadleaf herbicides
during extreme air temperatures. Temperatures higher than 40 degrees F and
lower than 80 degrees F are recommended.
Apply broadleaf herbicides on a
sunny day to more effectively control problem weeds.
Apply broadleaf herbicides during a
rain free period of at least 6 hours.
Avoid spraying broadleaf herbicides
on windy days to reduce the risk of drift to non-target plants.
Do not apply herbicides to
drought-stressed turf.
Read the herbicide product label for
restrictions on re-seeding after applications.
For more information on weed control
and other lawn care practices, visit www.turf.purdue.edu.
Resources:
Control of Broadleaf Weeds in
Homelawns (AY-9-W), https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-9-W.pdf
Weed of the Month (Weed ID), https://turf.purdue.edu/weedofthemonth.html
Lawn Improvement Programs (AY-13-W),
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-13-W.pdf
7 Simple Steps to a Better Lawn
(AY-32-W) https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AY/AY-32-W.pdf