Characteristics-We often label any weeds as horse grass. But not all. For example, if you plant weeds in April and May, it is not horse grass.
When the soil temperature is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the grass seeds usually germinate after the forsythia flowers bloom and before the lilacs begin. This is the best time to use pre-germination herbicides to prevent horsetail seeds from germinating.
If you miss this window of opportunity and find verbena in your yard, you still have a chance to kill it. The post-emergence spray containing quinolac can well control the newly germinated horse tooth gra. Products containing quinkalola include terms such as “turf herbicide plus horsetail control agent” or “dandelion and lawn herbicide horsetail control agent”.
However, these products must be sprayed in late spring or early summer before the temperature becomes too high. Since horsetail is too mature to be completed now, these sprays may cause unexpected damage to ornamental plants. This is due to the other active ingredients in these formulations, including dicamba and 2,4-D.
These chemicals evaporate at temperatures above 85-90 Farenheight and drift in the wind. Any broad-leaved plants they encounter could be destroyed. Dicamba can also be absorbed by the roots of desired plants. The most common signs of damage to 2,4-D or dicamba are leaves and stems bent, curled, and twisted when the plant is growing.
In terms of immediate control measures, pulling and digging are some of the best options. This should be done before the seeds are produced. Smaller plants usually cannot be recovered from cultivation. For larger plants, carefully cut the seed head from the plant and discard it. For bare ground (such as flower beds), if feasible, weeds can be planted, excavated or sprayed with non-selective herbicides containing glyphosate.
Improving the health of lawns in hard-hit areas is particularly critical. Keeping the turf thick and healthy is one of the best deterrents. The trim height is 2.5-3 inches. Make sure there is no compacted soil in the area. If so, it can usually be remedied by ventilation in spring and autumn. Crab grass is usually a sign that the irrigation system is not working properly. The sprinklers in this area need to be inspected and most likely adjusted.
Fertilize in spring and autumn and avoid using it in midsummer. In some cases, verbena will outperform the lawn on the lawn, because in the hottest time of the year, verbena can make better use of the nutrients in fertilizer than grass. If there is still enough lawn grass, consider using pre-germination plants in spring to prevent horse crabgrass from germinating.
In non-turf areas, artificial cultivation in late spring is very helpful. In addition, 2-3 inches of mulch on top of the soil will prevent most weed seeds from emerging. Some pre-emergence products used in the flower and garden are also registered. However, please use it with caution where it is used for annual flower or vegetable planting and always follow the label.
Remember, if the lawn is too thin and the seedlings have emerged, you cannot use new seeds or sod in the same area. Pre-emergence products usually work by preventing normal rooting of newly germinated seeds, and they do not distinguish between desired seeds and bad seeds. If turf is placed, it will prevent rooting before budding. It can take up to a year to lay down lawn seeds or turf.
The best way to eliminate horsetail is to maintain lawn and garden areas to prevent horsetail seeds from germinating. The old adage “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” is true, especially on overgrown grass. And, if all other methods fail, remember that you won’t be trapped by verbena forever-this is the annual fall, and die of the first frost in the fall.
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