By John Cooper Turfgrasses are among the most effective vegetative soil covers used in the urban landscape. A well-maintained lawn is not only beautiful but functions in many ways to improve the urban environment. Turfgrasses also make one of the best ground surface treatments to reduce storm water run-off with positive impacts on soil conservation, flood control and improved water quality. Turfgrasses cool and moisten the air we breathe and help overcome the heat island effect of asphalt and concrete, which is no small matter considering the heat loads of the past two summers. One significant indicator of healthy turf is a weed-free, uniform carpet of green.
Good culture is the foundation of a good weed control program.
Manage your fertilizer, water and mowing so the turf grows thickly and naturally crowds out the competition. The better it will resist not only weeds but insects, diseases, freeze damage and droughts as well. Pre-emergence herbicides containing the active ingredients, benefin, oryzalin, bensulide, pendimethalin and isoxaben are broadcast as granules the last week of January. Pre-emergence herbicides control both broadleaf and grassy weeds. Post-emergence herbicides are applied as liquids through pressurized sprayers.