Pesticide (Turf) Questions And Answers Rated 100% Correct!!

Cultural Factors for Good Turf Density - Answer-High quality , weed-free sod; choose turf that adapt well to MD environmental conditions, anticipated use and management level; send soil sample to lab and correct soil PH, phosphorus and potassium issues; apply recommended nitrogen at proper time for turf type; mow at recommended height; irrigate thoroughly when needed. Why are weeds present even after good management practices? - Answer-Excessive wear of an area, extreme environmental conditions, thatch build-up and/or inappropriate varieties. At which time herbicides may be needed. Perennial Grass - Answer-Lives more than two years. Spreads by solons, rhizomes and seed. Most effective control is usually prevention. Usually, there is no selective chemical is usually available to kill these. Quackgrass - Answer-Blue-green, course-textured, cool season rhizomatous Perennial grass. Spreads vigorously in turf grass stands. Poor summer performance. Open (not dense) formation. Little can be done through management to reduce spread. Quackgrass Control - Answer-Most effective control is prevention by applying topsoil free of perennial grass weeds, or use of sterilized/fumigated topsoil; vital during turf establishment. Selective herbicides are unavailable , must use non-selective herbicides for control. Mow 48 hours before or after treatment. Apply when actively growing, when soil moisture is adequate w/ no rain forecast for 24 hours. Annual Grasses - Answer-Germinate, grow, produce seed, and die within the same year. Two approaches can be used in chemical control; preemergence herbicides and postemergence herbicides. Crabgrass - Answer-Yellow-green to green, course-textured, bunch-type grass (roots at nodes). Seed germinates mid-Spring when temperatures reach 70 degrees for 7-10 days. Grows rapidly late SpringSummer. Seed heads develop until first frost in Fall. Crabgrass Control - Answer-Killed naturally during 1st or 2nd frost in Fall. Maintain good turf density to reduce amount of light reaching soil; cut grass higher than 2 inches. Abstain from frequent light watering. Avoid spring and summer aeration and dethatching.Preemergence Herbicide - Answer-Applied before germination of weed seeds. Usually the most reliable means of controlling annual grasses; they kill plants as they germinate. Apply at least 1 week before annual grass germination, water in or apply 48 prior to rain fall. Does not work if applied after germination Postemergence Herbicides - Answer-Applied to actively growing weeds. Not as effective and may cause discoloration and thinning of sensitive desirable grasses. Apply to younger (1-3 leaf stage) annual grass when soil moisture is adequate and nor rain is forecast for 24 hours. Perennial Broadleaf Weeds - Answer-Live more than two years. Spread by stolons, rhizomes, and/or seed. Often have large taproots. Examples of these are: dandelion, plantain, oxalis, and ivy. Dandelions - Answer-Have long leaves with jagged edges, extensive taproot 2-3 inches deep, produce bright yellow flowers in the spring. Grows most effectively during Spring and Fall, and tops die back in winter. Dandelion Contol - Answer-Maintain density. Physically remove if only a few are present, entire tap root must be removed. Mow grass frequently during growing periods. Apply herbicides when young and mature weeds are growing actively in the Spring, late Summer or Fall when soil moisture is adequate and temperatures are less than 85 degrees. Broadleaf Herbicides - Answer-Can be absorbed through the roots of trees and shrubs (read label). Avoid application near potential root zones of those ornamentals. Summer Annual Broad Leaf Weeds - Answer-Germinate in the Spring, produce seed in late spring or summer, and die in the fall after frost. Examples of these are: knotweed and prostrate spurge. Common Chickweed - Answer-Germinates late fall - early spring. A creeping habit with shallow root at nodes. Particularly dense in moist shady areas. Small white flower produces seeds throughout spring. Dies when hot temperatures approach in late spring/ early summer. Occurs in open turf of cool season grasses. Common Chickweed Control - Answer-Avoid late fall aeration if problem is already severe, and no herbicide treatments are planned. Little can be done to manage in warm season grasses. Postemergence control can be achieved with broadleaf herbicide when actively growing. Small spray droplets result in better control sense leaves are small. Herbicide past last spring are unjustified.Knotweed - Answer-Germinates as soil temperatures warm in the spring. Form a low growing , mat like mass of stems. White flowers produce seed throughout summer. Begins to die after 1st frost of fall. Occurs in infertile compacted soil. Often occurs where foot traffic is. Knotweed Control - Answer-Most effective is postemergence broadleaf herbicides when plant is young (3-4 leaves). Chemical control becomes very difficult as plant matures. A sprayer with fine droplet size is best. Correction of infertile soil problems, relieving compaction through aerification, and build-up of organic matter can help reduce infestation. Winter Annual Broadleaf weeds - Answer-Germinate in the fall, produce seed in the spring and die in late spring or summer. Examples are: Common Chickweed and Henbit