Finally, some measurable moisture for our area.
Plants are likely to really take off now. Sun, warm temperatures, and moisture will make plants grow like weeds. Unfortunately, the weeds will grow like weeds.
I started harvesting asparagus this week. Weeds in asparagus are common. Salt is not recommended for weed suppression in asparagus. Ragweed is the main weed in my asparagus. Mulching, pulling, cultivation are my management techniques. The most commonly available pre-emergence product containing Trifluralin doesn’t control ragweed.
There are many herbicide products to choose from to prevent weeds from getting a hold.
Trifluralin which is in Treflan, Preen, and other products are used in vegetable and flower gardens. It can also be used in tree rows such as windbreaks. Read and follow the label. That is where I noticed that it is not labeled for controlling ragweed.
Crabgrass and other warm-season annual grasses can be managed with both pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides.
Pre-emergence products need to be applied right now. Some have a long residual that only need applied once per season. Others lose their effectiveness and should be reapplied again 6-8 weeks later.
Several products are available to control warm-season grasses after they have come up. A product containing Sethoxydim is labeled for many different types of plants found in the flower or vegetable garden. Quinclorac is found in many turf herbicides to reduce crabgrass and other warm-season annual grasses from the lawn.
Many of the weeds growing right now are winter annuals. Henbit, chickweed, bedstraw, mustards, and others will dry up and disappear once it gets warmer. They are producing seeds for fall germination and physical removal is best at this time of the year.
Weeds can appear all season long. Cultivation and mulches along with herbicides keep the weeds in check. K-State Research and Extension has many resources to help you with decision making when it comes to managing weeds.
Credit: themercury.com
