How To Take Care Of Weeds
News Canada

Their names may be cute and slightly amusing - chickweed,
creeping charlie, dandelion, crabgrass - but weeds can be a major
annoyance. Left untreated, they spread quickly, fighting the
grass for food, light and space. Many of them, like crabgrass,
have stems that lie close to the ground making them difficult to
cut with a mower. They spread out and smother grass, creating
large unsightly patches on the lawn that you worked so diligently
to create.

The healthier your lawn is, the more effectively it can prevent
takeover by weeds. Fertilizing is an excellent first step.
Applying the right fertilizer, with the optimum mixture of
nitrogen, potash and phosphates, four times a year helps make
sure your lawn is as healthy as possible. Even so, weeds are sure
to put in an appearance. That's when a weed and feed or other
weed control product can help.

There are lots of options for you to choose from. Some are
general practitioners, designed for a broad spectrum of weed
control. Others are specialists that fight specific weeds like
crabgrass. Some combine weed control with lawn food. Others just
concentrate on getting rid of the weeds. Some require mixing,
others come premixed.

Once you've found the right product for your situation, be sure
to apply it when the weeds are actively growing, ideally in the
late spring or early fall. Temperatures should be between 15 and
25 degrees. If it's too hot, or too dry, don't do it as the
results may not be satisfactory.

When applying weed and feed products, it is best to spread them
in the morning if possible. "Morning dew helps ensure the
pesticide adheres to the weeds," notes Derril Linseman, Product
Manager at Home Hardware. Make sure there's a day of clear
weather in the forecast. Apply twice, the same way you would with
grass seed, using half the recommended rate each time in a
criss-cross pattern. Don't water or mow the lawn for several days
after application, and in some cases you may want to keep
children and pets off the lawn for some time too.

For more information about maintaining a beautiful lawn and
garden, and for the products you need to help you do it, be sure
to visit your local Home Hardware or Home Hardware Building
Centre.


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