In the fall season, there is a high ratio of weeds in the lawn. They become resilient parasites that are difficult to eradicate. When people slack off on lawn maintenance during the fall, weed growth increases significantly.
When the weed population reaches a higher level, the damage that they have inflicted on plants becomes irreversible. Such plants and grasses become frail from nutrient deficiency. This makes it more difficult for them to withstand the harsh conditions of winter.
Wilting becomes inevitable at this point, for your garden plants, shrubs, and grass blades. However, this cycle can be subverted!
Homeowners must prevent weed growth and eliminate the weeds which have already taken root in the grass. And we’re going to tell you how.
Herbicides
Herbicides target the weeds, killing their growth and preventing future events of weed formation. Herbicides can impact both annual and perennial weeds, depending on which product you buy. The main thing you need to be mindful of is that herbicides targeting grassy weeds will also harm your turf grass, so they must be used only as a spot treatment.
Annual weeds tend to sprout in summers though the beginning of fall. Therefore, the fall weed treatment can nip their growth cycle in the bud.
Find out how our Lawn Maintenance services can help keep your yard healthy and weed-free.
In fall, the weed treatment you use will ideally include both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. The pre-emergent herbicide attacks the weeds that are scheduled to grow in late fall, by killing the seeds that would otherwise germinate throughout the winter. The post-emergent herbicide affects the weed that has already germinated and is either mature or at initial developmental stages.
Our friends at JC’s Landscaping have more helpful information about Common Weeds in North Texas.
Fertilizers
Fertilizers stage plant growth, but using high amounts can promote weed growth as well. Using a limited amount can create a competition between lawn grass and weeds, which results in the survival of the fittest.
This is the dynamic you want to encourage in your yard. Fortifying your lawn so that it’s too dense and healthy to allow weeds to settle in- that’s the ticket!
In a scenario where the weeds are “the fittest,” they will choke out your lawn and garden by dominating available moisture and nutrients in the soil. Starving your grass and foliage-by providing insufficient fertilizer- is a “great: way to sabotage any sort of healthy return come next spring. Let’s not do that!
Using an adequate concentration of fertilizers amplifies plant growth and enables healthy and preferred plant life to outlast any weeds that try to settle in. Multiple types of fertilizers can magnify plant growth, but nitrogen-rich fertilizers are an excellent choice to increase the nourishment by two folds. This is especially true for the soil types that are most common in the North Texas region.
Learn more about our Tree and Shrub Fertilization services.
Blocking Aeration
Another technique that lawn care experts have rolled up in their sleeves is the blockage of air. This technique should be used sparingly, and only in encompassed shrub and garden areas of your landscape.
The prevention of air reaching the weed roots can reduce fall weed growth. This can be achieved by use of mulching materials or landscape fibers. Landscape fibers are synthetic polyesters that reduce the soil aeration in weed-prone areas, thereby smothering them and preventing further growth.
Please take a moment to review our Lawn Aeration service page to learn how Prosper Sod can assist you.
Regular Watering
Watering your plants and lawn is a no-brainer for basic lawn care. The thing is, many weeds are adaptable to dry soil and can grow in periods of water recession. This is bad news when it comes to periods of drought and local water restrictions.
Watering the plants irregularly offers a platform for the weed to nourish and outgrow plants. Ample water supply can harness the development of plants and impede weed germination.
Learn more here about effective watering techniques for each season.
Conclusion
Preventing weed during the fall season requires attention and strategies to reduce current and future weed growth. You can do the job yourself but take a leap of faith and grant the responsibility to Ryno Lawn Care to ease your burden. The team plans an effective methodology to counter the existing weed while simultaneously practicing solutions and techniques to prevent future weed cultures.