Reasons to attack those weeds now

Many of you are probably reaching the point that you are tired of gardening and a little burned out on working outside. I hit that point this past weekend.

The best thing to do is to step away for a brief (very) period of time and then get back into it. I hate to say it, but now is the best time to help yourself out for next year in terms of weed problems.

First of all, don’t let those summer annuals go to seed. Many of them such as purslane, black medic, barnyard grass and crabgrass are hitting their peak and will soon, if not already, be scattering seeds.

DON’T LET THEM DO THIS! It will just make the garden harder to clean up next year.

Be diligent and if you can’t get them all, at least get the ones going to seed.

And be careful because they are sneaky! Purslane loves to hide among the foliage of petunias. I can finish the job and think I am done with weeding only to walk to another angle and find purslane tucked away hiding.

In addition to the summer annual weeds, we have had perfect weather for the winter annuals to start germinating.

Winter annuals include hairy bittercress, henbit, deadnettle, chickweed and more.

These are also tricky weeds. They germinate in cooler temperatures of late summer and fall and just sit in the garden all winter. They like it cold.

Next spring, when temperatures are just right, they take off and go to seed immediately.

Again, don’t let these get ahead of you this fall. Newly emerged seedlings can be wiped out with a scuffle hoe. Don’t go too deep or you will disturb the soil and bring up more seeds that are just waiting for the right environment to germinate.

You can also prevent them from growing with a layer of mulch. Or, you can use a pre-emergent herbicide in flowerbeds right now to prevent them from germinating.

In the lawn, fall is a great time for broadleaf weed control. The weeds are sending sugars down to the roots to be stored for winter and will easily absorb herbicides. Read labels and apply according to the label for best results.

Whatever your preferred method, fall is a great time for weed control. As mentioned above, perennial types of weeds are actively storing sugars for the winter and will be more affected by herbicide applications at this time than in the spring.

Some of the most annoying perennial weeds in the flower beds include thistle, field bindweed, morning glory and nutsedge.

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