FEBRUARY 2017 – If you’re in sunny rainy San Diego like we are, then you’re in the midst of a very interesting (and wet) winter. We’ve seen massive amounts of rain in a very short amount of time resulting in drainage problems, mud-slides, flooding and all kinds of other issues… including weeds.
By now, your front or back yard might be two feet high and fully green, just not the kind of green you’d like it to be. Weeds seemingly come out of nowhere every rainy season, even if you have a beautifully manicured lawn, and treating them becomes increasingly difficult once they’ve begun to appear.
Here are some handy tips from LaBahn’s Landscaping to help you identify, control, and even prevent the weeds that have popped up in your yard during San Diego’s rainy season.
Identify and Treat the Weeds You’ve Already Got
Some of the most common weeds you’ll see are dandelions, crab grass, clover, and Oxalis. Clover and Oxalis look very similar and are often mistaken for each other. The difference between these two is that clover has three oval leaves and typically blooms a white flower (though sometimes it may be pink), while Oxalis has three heart-shaped leaves and blooms a yellow flower.
While the best way to control weeds is to prevent them before they emerge, there are options for removing them after they have appeared. Due to the softness of the soil during the rainy season, now is the best time to go out and pull the weeds by hand. If you prefer, you can hire a landscape company to do this for you.
Whether you pull the weeds or leave them alone, you’ll want to treat them with a post-growth treatment known as a broadleaf herbicide. Your landscaper will have these handy, or you can go to your local gardening supply store and pick some up for yourself. These are specifically designed to kill weeds after they have already grown. The downside is that broadleaf herbicides do not specifically target only weeds. Any plants that are nearby, or even intertwined with the weeds, may also be affected if sprayed or treated with a broadleaf herbicide.
Prevent Weeds Before They Emerge
While you may choose to do nothing, and allow the weeds to die off when the summer heat comes, this does not prevent their re-growth cycle the following rainy season. To prevent weeds from growing in the future, use a pre-emergent herbicide.
Pre-emergent herbicides are specifically designed to target weed seeds and prevent them from growing, which also protects other grasses or plants that you may have. You can have your landscaper apply a pre-emergent for you, depending on your gardening needs, or you can speak with an Agricultural PCA (Pest Control Advisor) for recommendations specific to your lawn and the types of weeds you have dealt with in the past.
Need More Information?
For more information about rainy season gardening, check out this blog post from earlier in the year: “Landscape Maintenance for the Rainy Season”.
If you have more questions regarding your lawn or need help with landscape maintenance, please give us a call at 619-579-9151 or visit our contact page.