FRISCO TEXAS FALL LAWN CARE TIP UPDATE

 

Sunday morning, September 25, 2011, I was listening to the Neil Sperry Gardens radio show on WBAP in Dallas.  On his show, Neil was very specific and emphatic that pre-emergent weed preventer needs to be applied this week to keep those unsightly winter weeds from germinating.  A few dollars spent on a bag of pre-emergent this week, along with a few minutes spent applying it, can keep your lawn looking great throughout the winter and early spring.

 

 

 

This advice comes from Neil Sperry of McKinney, Texas, whose name has been synonymous with Texas gardening for over 40 years.  I encourage you to subscribe to Sperry's free e-Garden Newsletter at www.neilsperry.com.

 

From Neil Sperry's web site:

 

"Question:What is the plant with the scalloped leaves and little purple flowers in early spring, and how do I get it out of my lawn?

Answer: That's henbit, and it's really annoying. The good news is, it's also easy to eliminate. Simply mowing the plants down once they have started to form their flower buds will usually kill them. They are reluctant to send up new shoots. You can also use a broadleafed weedkiller to control existing plants in late November or mid-February warm spells (follow label directions, especially as they pertain to temperature). Best option of all, however, is to apply a pre-emergent in mid-September to keep them ever from sprouting. You can also use the broadleafed weedkiller and pre-emergent treatments to deal with dandelions, clover and chickweed, among other annual broadleafed weeds."

Sperry also advocates the application on lawns of a high-nitrogen content fertilizer during September in the Frisco, Texas area. 

Both the pre-emergent weed preventer and the fertilizer are available at local garden centers.