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Fertilization / Weed Control

After mowing in early spring, apply a fertilizer with pre-emergent weed control following the label directions.  Scotts makes Halts Crabgrass Preventer® or Turfbuilder with Halts®.   Most garden centers will have these products or similar herbicides. Repeat this application at 1/2 rate in 8 weeks.

 

In poor soil conditions or Southern climates a third fertilizer application, without pre-emergent, may be done in mid-summer and a fourth application can be applied in early fall.

 

Throughout the spring and before the daytime temperatures consistently reach 75 degrees, broadleaf weeds can be controlled using Tri-Mec or a 2-4D Herbicide or a granular weed and feed.  Using these products and any product containing 204D after temperatures reach 75 degrees may stunt your lawn.  The easiest way to apply these herbicides is with RTS (Ready to Spray) formulations.  The container attaches to the end of a garden hose and injects the weed control into the stream of water as you spray.  There is no mixing or calculating.  The following brands are available at most garden centers:

 

Spectracide® Weed Stop® For Lawns plus Crabgrass Killer CONNECT TO HOSE™

Bayer Advanced™ All in One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer Ready-To-Spray

Ortho® Weed B Gon Max® Plus Crabgrass Control Ready-Spray®

Hard to kill perennials and unwanted perennial grasses like bluegrass and fescue can be eliminated in the late fall or early spring by spraying round-up on your lawn while the buffalograss is dormant and when the unwanted weeds or grasses are still green and growing.  Buffalograss is dormant when no green shows in the foliage; a small amount of green at the base of the plant is okay.  Mowing can also be used to control weeds, but is not as effective as herbicides.  New herbicides are being developed for buffalograss.  Consult your extension agent or Todd Valley Farms or return to this web site for the latest material available.

Herbicides for LEGACY®, Prestige™ and UC Verde® buffalograss

The products listed below can be used at temperatures up to 95 degrees.  Applying any herbicide when the temperatures are above 95 can limit the effectiveness of the chemical.

Plateau – pre-emergent annual grasses, post emergent annual grasses, post broadleaf and sedges
Quicksilver – post emerged broadleaf
Solitare – post annual grasses, broadleaves and sedges
SquareOne – post annual grasses and broadleaves
Tenacity – pre and post emergent annual grassy weeds, broadleaves and sedges
Xonerate – post emergent broadleaves and sedges
Certainty – controls sedges and fescue
Dismiss – controls sedges
Drive – pre-emergent for annual grasses
Echelon – pre-emergent for annual grasses
Flucarbazone – post emergent broadleaf control and cool season grasses
Katana - post emergent broadleaf control and cool season grasses and sedges

Most of these chemicals are available in small quantities online at places like:
www.domyownpestcontrol.com     www.epestsolutions.com     www.montereylawngarden.com

Check to be sure the chemicals are labeled in your state. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL INSTRUCTIONS.

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