 Logan County Podcast
February 24, 2009
Turf (4:45 minutes)
Audio/Video Script:
David Moseley
County Extension Agent- 4-H/Agriculture
[Title Slide] Agriculture in Logan County, David Moseley Extension Agent-
4-H/Agriculture
[David Moseley] Ouch! Is that the sound you hear when your kids are playing
in the grass? Are you getting stuck with stickers? Hello, I’m David Moseley,
Extension Agent- Logan County. Today I’m going to be offering some tips on how
you can make your lawn pain free this summer.
[Picture of a sandbur weed] Sandbur is a summer annual grass that grows from
May to August. [Picture of sanbur sticker] Sandbur can be easily identified by
the rather large, sharp stickers that can pierce the skin. It is important to
correctly identify the weed, in order to properly control it. [Picture of
Spurweed] Spur weed, a winter annual that grows from fall to spring can be
mistaken for sandbur. Since Sandbur is a summer annual and Spurweed is a winter
annual, they must be controlled at different times of the year.
[Picture of dense turf] A dense vigorous lawn is the best defense against
these weeds, so good cultural practices are important in lawn weed control.
[Picture of weak or diseased turf] Practices that lead toweak turfgrass are: low or high fertility, improper
irrigation, and compacted soils. With a vigorous lawn, achieved through proper
cultural practices, 60 to 70% of the fight is already won.
[Picture of pre-emergent herbicide] In addition to a dense, healthy turf,
pre-emergence herbicides form the foundation of lawn weed control. Pre-emergence
herbicides are applied before the weed seed germinates. Generally, pre-emergent
herbicides can be applied without harming the established turf or plants.
[Picture of Atrazine bottle] An important note is that Atrazine can be an
exception and may cause damage to established shrubs and flowers. [Picture of
label] It is always critical to read the label thoroughly and understand all
parts including: handling procedures, safety concerns, restrictions, tolerant
plants and correct application rates.
[Picture of Sandbur] Sandbur is generally considered to be a summer annual
but may also behave as a perennial that regenerates from crowns. Therefore,
successful sandbur control requires a combination approach employing the use of
pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides.
[ Picture of Scott’s Halts] Apply a pre-emergent herbicide such as Scott’s
Halts before sandbur has a chance to germinate. Germination date can vary, so
applications in late February or early March would be safer. A second
pre-emergent application 60 days after the first will help extend control into
late summer. [Picture of irrigation.] Pre-emergent herbicides should be watered
in with at least 0.5 inches of rainfall or irrigation immediately after
application.
[Picture of MSMA] Spray sandburs not controlled by the pre-emergent herbicide
with MSMA. Make two applications seven to 10 days apart. MSMA is most effective
when applied before the bur appears. [Picture of sandbur cross section] To help
identify a seedling, be able to recognize sandbur seedlings which have a
flattened or folded cross-section and the leaf edges feel rough when you run
your fingers down the edge. Please note that MSMA should be confined to bermuda
grass and zoysia grass. [Picture of MP 44] Tolerance to chemicals can be found
in a MP 44 and the chemical’s label.
[ Picture of spurweed] Spurweed is relatively easy to eradicate with
well-timed herbicide applications. The preferred timing for an application of
Atrazine to control a winter annual, such as spurweed is during December or
January. (Please note that Atrazine needs to be applied to dormant bermuda
grass, centipede grass, and St. Augustine grass. ) Accurate, uniform application
in strict compliance with the label is a must. As noted above, do not apply
Atrazine within the active root zones of vegetables, azaleas, camellias,
boxwoods or other shallow rooted ornamentals.
[Picture of spurweed fruit] Spraying after the tiny fruits (thorns) have
formed (Usually in March) is too late to be effective.
[Picture of Ortho Weed-B-Gone] Another approach to control Spurweed is a
postemergence broadleaf herbicide such as Ortho Weed-B-Gon or [Picture of
Fertilome Weed Out] Fertilome Weed Out. Apply from December to February. Choose
a time when the daily high temperature has been at least 50 degrees for three
days running. Repeat the application 1 month later, if spurweed remains.
[David Moseley] Homeowners seeking more information on weed control should
contact their local county Extension agent.
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