Landscape Management, January 2019
Take back your turf Crabgrass and goosegrass are two of the most prevalent turf nuisances in the country Here are a few tips LCOs can use to identify and control these troublesome grassy weeds BY ABBY HART LM SENIOR EDITOR CRABGRASS KNOW YOUR ENEMY Upright growing summer annual grassy weed that grows in patches Yellowish green in color As it germinates the wide leaf blade is generally wider than turfgrasses Large crabgrass features hairs on the leaves Smooth crabgrass has a smooth leaf blade Begins to germinate when soil temps warm up to 55 degrees Look for crabgrass first in south facing slopes south sides of buildings and turfgrass around and near concrete where soils are likely warmer Thrives in compacted soils and Competes with turf during the summer season As crabgrass dies in the early fall it leaves voids in the turf COMBAT STRATEGY Cultivate healthy dense turf through a solid aeration and fertilization program and by addressing insect or disease issues promptly Apply preemergent herbicides before germination mid February to mid to late March Look for preemergent herbicides with active ingredients dithiopyr indaziflam oxadiazon prodiamine and pendimethalin LANDSCAPEMANAGEMENT NET JANUARY 2019 26 Postemergent herbicide active ingredients include fenoxaprop fluazifop mesotrione quinclorac sethoxydim topramezone and more recently pinoxaden and Single or split applications can be effective depending on the severity of the growth GOOSEGRASS KNOW YOUR ENEMY Low growing summer annual grassy weed Lighter green in color than healthy turf Broader leaf blades Grows out from a whitish folded stem from a single center point emanating out into a wagon wheel pattern Found in thinner turf areas and compacted soils Has a fibrous taproot and Germinates 4 6 weeks after crabgrass COMBAT STRATEGY Cultivate healthy dense turf through a solid aeration and fertilization program and by addressing insect or disease issues Irrigate turfgrass deeply and infrequently frequent light watering encourages goosegrass growth Apply preemergent products with active ingredients dithiopyr indaziflam oxadiazon prodiamine and pendimethalin and Postemergent products with the active ingredients fenoxaprop foramsulfuron mesotrione sulfentrazone topramezone and products that combine several herbicides are also effective WEED AVENGERS PHOTOS GIL DEL ROSARIO CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE AGRICULTURE DIVISION OF DOW DUPONT Turf Ornamental A strong fertilization and aeration program can combat the spread of crabgrass Goosegrass is identified by its wagon wheel growth pattern broad leaf blades and light green color SOURCES Gil del Rosario market development specialist at Corteva Agriscience Agriculture Division of DowDuPont and Jay McCurdy Ph D assistant professor and turfgrass extension specialist Department of Plant Soil Sciences Mississippi State University
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