Weed control made simple
Good cultural practices can provide 60 to 70 percent of turfgrass weed control. Maintaining a dense, vigorous lawn is essential to prevent lawn weeds. Herbicides should be considered a supplement, not a stand- alone weed control practice.
If herbicide use isn’t accompanied by good, proper cultural practices, the weed problem will return because the deficiency, which led to the weed invasion to begin with, hasn’t been sufficiently corrected. When herbicides alone are used, the symptoms, not the cause of a weedy lawn, are being treated. Bottom line, weeds often indicate specific problems.
Soil compaction may lead to encroachment by such species as annual bluegrass and goosegrass. Poor drainage favors invasion by sedges, rushes and Virginia buttonweed.
Saturated soil places the turfgrass under stress because roots need oxygen, and oxygen isn’t available in continuously wet soils. It is advisable for turfgrass owners to water deeply and infrequently. Light, frequent irrigation is never a good idea because it encourages shallow rooting. Early morning is a good time to water because it’s cooler and evaporation loss is minimal, the wind is usually calm and early watering allows the grass foliage to dry during the day.
The presence of legumes is often an indication of a low nitrogen level. Cultural and environmental problems should be corrected before embarking on a program of herbicide use.
Patch bare areas as soon as they appear to prevent invasion by weeds. Grasses such as Bermuda and St. Augustine will readily fill in bare spots if a few plugs or sprigs of healthy grass are planted in these areas. Re- seeding is an option with common Bermuda grass and tall fescue. Slow- growing grasses such as Zoysia and centipede may be sprigged or plugged, but it’s much faster to sod the bare areas. Other tips that might be helpful:
• Use mechanical control methods such as digging and pulling when dealing with small numbers of weeds. Hand pull or dig new and/ or exotic weeds to prevent their spread.
• Follow recommended mowing guidelines for the various types of grasses since mowing is considered another method of mechanical weed control.
• Keep mower blades sharp and avoid excessively low mowing which puts grass under stress. Don’t remove more than one- third of the grass height when mowing.
Testing your soil will determine the pH level and provide you with recommendations for adding any amendments, if necessary. Fertilize according to the recommendation made on the test results to encourage vigorous turf. Thick, healthy turf makes it difficult for weeds to get a foot hold.
The Garland County Extension office provides soil testing at no charge to the homeowner. Simply bring a one- pint sample of dry soil, taken from several spots in your yard, to your County Extension office. Results are usually back in two to three weeks. For further information on lawn maintenance, contact our office and ask to speak with one of our county agents.
EHC Would you be interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? How about forming a club in your community? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For more information about how you can become involved in an EHC, call Jessica Vincent on 623- 6841, or email her at jvincent@ uaex. edu . Poultry testing for GC Fair
Poultry birds entered in the Garland County Fair must be tested prior to the fair. The testing will be held at the Fairground starting at 8 a. m. Aug. 10 until finished. All entries, including 4- H Poultry Chain, will be tested and entered that day with the exception of waterfowl. Waterfowl do not require testing but they must be entered on or prior to Aug. 12. For more information or questions, call Phillip Howell, 627- 2646, or Michael Howell, 627- 2590.
4- H Children between 5 and 19 can join 4- H. We have a club for them or a group of friends and parents can help them organize a club. For information, call the Extension office, 623- 6841 or 922- 4703, and talk with Linda Bates, or email lbates@ uaex. edu.
Master Gardener If are interested in gardening or would like to learn more in the horticulture field, the monthly Master Gardener meetings are open to the public. For information, call Allen Bates at the Extension office or email at abates@ uaex. edu.
English as a Second Language classes are provided free by Friendship International from 6: 30- 8: 30 p. m. Mondays at First Baptist Church, 2350 Central Ave., in the Fellowship Hall. Enter through lower level door at back of church. No registration required.
The Salvation Army Senior Fellowship group meets at 9 a. m. Tuesdays at The Salvation Army, 115 Crescent, for free coffee, cake, devotions, singing, bingo and fellowship. If you are 55 or older, come on over!
StrongWomen exercise program meets from 9- 10: 30 a. m. Mondays and Fridays in the multipurpose building at Center Fork Baptist Church, 1101 S. Moore Road.
Water workout and Aqua Arthritis classes are held at Quapaw Community Center, 500 Quapaw Ave. Water workout is at 9 a. m. MondaySaturday and 10 a. m. MondayFriday. Aqua Arthritis classes follow the guidelines of the Arthritis Foundation’s water exercise program and is held at 1 p. m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Water exercise is a low impact way to for a workout.
StrongWomen is held at First Baptist Church of Royal at 9 a. m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a strength training program designed to decrease the risk of osteoporosis, increase bone density and muscle mass, and improve balance. Call the church office, 767- 5462, or Garland County Extension Service, 623- 6841, for information.
Cooks- R- Us Extension Homemakers Cooking Club meets at 9 a. m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month in the EHC Building at Garland County Fairgrounds. Visitors are welcome. Call Sally Patterson, 760- 5995, for location.
Crazy Quilters will have its annual “picnic” at 11 a. m. Tuesday at Dixie Café, on Central Avenue. Anyone interested in learning more about club activities or quilting is encouraged to join in. Everyone is responsible for their own lunch. Call Nancy Seaton, 762- 7891, or Susie Bishop, 6095204, for information.