Horticulture Hotline 12/23/19
Bill
Lamson-Scribner
Last week I ran short on column inches so I figured I would
start where I left off with my observations. This observation takes a little
action on your part. Winter Weeds have popped up and are very visible in the
landscape. These weeds are young and in their vegetative stage. This is the
time to kill them, ideally in 2019.
Chickweed, henbit, lawn burweed, Florida Betony, Carolina
Geranium, Hairy Bittercress, Dandelion, and many more weeds are coming up from
seeds or tubers now. If you control them now while they are young you will be
able to use lower rates of herbicide and have better results. If you prefer to
pull weeds, the young weeds will be easier to pull because their root system
will not be as well established.
If you used a preemergent herbicide at the correct time,
weeds might not be an issue in your yard. Spot spraying with a pump up sprayer
with Weed Free Zone might be all you need to do. If you have weeds everywhere
Weed Free Zone in the RTS (connect to a hose) formula or a granular product
might be your best bet. Some granular products you put out on wet grass and try
to keep dry for 24 hours – others you put out on dry grass and water-in
lightly. Always read and follow product label!
The other observation I made was a lady properly pruning her
Crepe Myrtles in early December – not topping, just removing rubbing limbs and
interior growth. Her trees now look great and will continue to look great
throughout the winter / spring. I guess from my commercial maintenance career,
I always did my pruning of Crepe Myrtles after the New Year and before they put
on new leaves. No reason for those limbs to be rubbing for an extra few months,
now that I have four to prune and not hundreds to prune. Crepe Myrtles have a beautiful
branch structure, might as well enjoy it all winter instead of the tangled mess
of crossing branches they grow during the growing season.
I made my annual trip to The Holiday Festival of Lights. It
gets bigger and better every year. I couldn’t believe how they have added so
many attractions and the night I went they even had a four piece brass band
playing seasonal music. If you have never been this is a must see. It is like
no other light show in the nation – and the lights are just part of the
attraction.
Holiday gifts? Pots, pruning saws, professional pruners,
custom programs, soil tests, and what I like best so Santa’s Sleigh doesn’t get
overloaded with Cotton Burr Compost – gift certificates!
Always read, understand and follow product label. The
product label is a Federal Law.
