MANHATTAN – Many common broadleaf weeds in lawns may not be popping their heads up high right now, but late October and early November is the best time to do battle with them.
Dandelions typically produce a flush of new plants in late September, and winter annual weeds henbit and chickweed should have germinated in October, said Kansas State University horticulture expert Ward Upham.
“These young plants are small and easily controlled with herbicides such as 2,4-D or combination products -- such as Trimec, Weed-B-Gon, Weed-Out -- that contain 2,4-D, MCPP and dicamba,” Upham said.
“Even established dandelions are more easily controlled now than in the spring because they are actively moving materials from the top portion of the plant to the roots in the fall,” he said. “Herbicides will translocate to the roots as well, and will kill the plant from the roots up.”
Upham said homeowners should apply the products according to label instructions.
“Choose a day that is 50 degrees or higher,” he said. “The better the weed is growing, the more weed killer will be moved from the leaves to the roots. Cold temperatures will slow this product, even though these product will still work at lower temperatures.”
One product – Weed Free Zone (also sold under the name Speed Zone) contains all three active ingredients conducive to killing unwanted weeds, Upham said. “It will give a quicker response than the other product, especially if temperature are below 50 degrees.”
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