Some
seeds can lay dormant for years, just waiting for the right
amount of moisture to initiate their propagation. In the Southwest,
the sign of rain brings relief but rain also produces just
the right condition to start a crop of weeds. If our rain
comes with a little lightning, our vegetation–be it wanted
or unwanted–gets a boost of nitrogen to encourage its growth.
This explains not only the lush foliage that sprouts in our
landscapes after storms, but also the algae blooms in our
ponds and swimming pools.
Since
we live in the desert, some weed varieties need only the slightest
amount of moisture to initiate their growth. Dandelions, mustards,
mallow and yarrow start to emerge a few days after the first
raindrop falls.
In
addition to being unsightly, weeds encourage unwanted rodents
to invade your property. Rabbits, rats, and ground squirrels
feast on the vegetation. Many will take up residence, burrowing
nearby. To them, it’s like living next door to an all‑you‑can‑eat
buffet. In warmer seasons, snakes may show up seeking rodents
as their food source and find refuge from the heat, lying
in the coolness underneath larger weeds.
Like
anything, maintenance, especially preventative maintenance,
is the best step in controlling weeds. Prior to seed germination,
application of a pre‑emergent proves the best weed abatement.
This is simple. Apply the pre‑emergent using a tank
sprayer and then simply water the area. Pre‑emergents
can be safely applied around plants and trees with no adverse
effect, since they only quash germinating seeds.
Apply
pre‑emergents twice a year, in the fall and spring.
This routine should keep your garden virtually free of weeds.
If for some reason the ground surface is disturbed after application,
you’ll need to re‑apply to that area.
Do
not apply pre‑emergents in areas where you may later
want to plant a vegetable or flower garden from seed, as all
seeds are susceptible to the effects of pre‑emergents.
Applying a pre‑emergent will eliminate 80 to 90 percent
of the seeds already in the ground. Surflan, Barricade, and
Endurance are three types generally available in nurseries.
If
you have not applied a pre‑emergent and end up with
a large crop of weeds, the first thing you’ll need to do is
get rid of any that have already begun to invade your landscape.
You can do this manually with a shovel, hula‑hoe, or
pulling by hand.
If
you are going to manually remove weeds, I recommend soaking
the surrounding ground to make pulling by hand easier, or
wait a day or two after a heavy rainfall. If you are using
a shovel or hula‑hoe, go well under the surface to cut
the weeds’ roots.
Although
manual weed removal is the safest way, chemicals have made
our lives much easier. Using a post‑emergent, such as
Round‑Up or similar weed abatement products is as simple
as pumping up a hand sprayer and soaking the foliage. For
these products to be effective, you have to have healthy,
leafy weeds as the chemicals are absorbed through the foliage.
Be sure not to get the spray on the shrubs and trees you want
to keep in your landscape. Post‑emergents are not particular
and can kill off more than weeds. If chemical treatment is
not your intention, you might try common household products
such as salt, vinegar, or boiling water.
The
use of chemicals is controlled by the state. This means that
you, as a homeowner, can apply them to your own property.
If you plan on hiring someone to do the work for you, they
must be a licensed chemical applicator.
Before
applying any chemical, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s
instructions.
