Binghamton Agway Farm & Home Store
145 Broad Avenue Binghamton, NY 13904
(607) 723-7409
bafeedback@binghamtonagway.com
 

Store Hours
Mon - Fri 8am - 8pm
Sat 8am - 6pm
Sun 8am - 5pm
click here for store location

LANDSCAPE WEED CONTROL

Dandelions, crabgrass, foxtail and burdocks earn a reputation as troublesome plants. Along with many other unwelcome vegetation, weeds invade lawns, gardens and landscapes with thriving success. Weeds have an impressive ability to compete with desirable plants for space, water, nutrients and sunlight.

 HOE, HOE, HOE

Hoeing and pulling weeds by hand in gardens and landscapes can be very effective. This approach works for gardeners, who are able to keep up weekly with removing newly emerged seedlings. Hand pull weeds when they are small and the soil is moist to remove roots as well as the top of the weedy plant.

Scuffle

Hoe Hoe weeds to uproot them and gently break the soil crust. A scuffle hoe works well when weeds are small.

Mulch is Magnificent

Spread mulch in landscape areas and garden borders to reduce weeks, conserve moisture and maintain a more uniform soil temperature. Organic mulches include compost, grass clippings, pine needles, and straw. Agway Pine Bark, Cedar Mulch, Cocoa Mulch, Cypress Mulch and Peat Moss. Inorganic mulches range from landscape fabric and black plastic to gravel and marble chips.

Chemical Weed Controls

Chemical weed controls are divided into tow categories, pre-emergent and post-emergent. Pre-emergent controls prevent seeds from growing into plants. Post-emergent controls kill established plants.

Pre-emergent weed controls, like Preen are usually applied in spring. Such products prevent crabgrass, foxtail and other annual weeds that start from seed each spring. Around trees and shrubs, clean out any existing weeds, and then apply. For plant beds, prepare soil, transplant annuals, and then apply Preen.

Post-emergent weed controls are used after weeds develop leaves, but while the weeds are still young and actively growing. Be aware that post-emergent weed controls, if improperly applied, can damage desirable plants such as forsythias, marigolds and geraniums. To avoid such injury, hand weed or hoe weeds close to desirable trees, shrubs and flowers, then apply mulch to keep weeds from growing. Post-emergent herbicides are divided into tow groups, selective and nonselective.

Selective weed controls, like Ortho Grass-B-Gon grass killer can be used to kill existing weedy grasses in and around ground covers, woody plant beds and landscape.

Nonselective weed killers kill all plants they come in contact with. Carefully used, nonselective weed killers such as Roundup and Spectracide Grass & Weed Killer can be used for landscape weed control.

One-Year Control

Other nonselective weed killers, such as Agway Total Weed Killer, are available to killing all vegetation for one year around patios, driveways and under fences. Read Chemical labels carefully and avoid using such products near landscape and lawn areas.

Apply Chemical Weed Controls with Caution Always read label direction thoroughly and follow application directions carefully to control specific weeds. Most herbicide labels list the weeds that will be effectively eradicated by that product. Pay close attention to weather conditions such as wind, rain and changing temperatures.