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Beaver Creek Nursery
812-689-5595
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NEWSLETTER
April 2016
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Sorry this is late but
you know, things have been hectic around here plus as you can see I have been feeling a wee bit under the weather lately.
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Well, it's that time of year again when Ma Nature has everything just bustin' loose all over screaming for sunshine and warmth....including myself. Trees are blooming, leaves are popping out everywhere and of course those nasty weeds are starting to smile up at us everywhere as usual.
And, I know this is considered cheating but since I am feeling less than my usual "perfect" self (haha), and with your indulgence, I thought this may be a good time to revisit a very pertinent but previous Newsletter.
Just consider this Newsletter as a "Blast from the Past".....with some changes and additions so you can feel you really are getting a NEW Newsletter. And, for those of you who have not committed to memory the things you need to do to maintain your landscape for the month of April you can click here. Otherwise please, read on and enjoy this great month of incredible beauty together with the welcomed warmth and sunshine!
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Will NOT get rid of the weeds in your lawn but knowing which ones you actually have may make it easier to control them.
The following is your key to identifying those weeds that may be plaguing your spring lawn.
And remember, mowing your grass at 2 1/2 - 3" is going to not only keep your lawn healthier but also eliminate most of your weed problems.
So....NOW.... On with the Show!  | |
Henbit
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Purple Deadnettle
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Henbit and Purple Deadnettle are both "annual weeds" and are very similar in appearance. Being annual weeds they usually will germinate in the fall, show up during the cool spring, disperse their seeds and then die off in hopes that their offspring will continue their lineage again in the fall. They both have square stems and show up in damp, shady areas. The major difference between the two in identification is that Henbit has a more rounded leaf that is directly attached to the main stem of the plant. The Deadnettle has a more pointed leaf and has a small "petiole" or stem at the base of the leaf attaching it to the main part of the plant. So, if you have either of these showing up in your Spring lawn remember....they are annuals and will die off when the weather warms up. But, Beware....without a Fall treatment of pre-emergent they are going to grace your lawn again next spring.
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Ground Ivy ...aka. Creeping Charlie
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Ground ivy is a perennial weed meaning it keeps coming back each year and if you do not somehow remove it from your lawn you will be host to an entire "clan" of ivy. Because Ground Ivy also has a square stem it is often mistakenly identified as Henbit or Purple Deadnettle. The leaves of the Ivy however are more rounded and serrated with strong veins and petioles (stems). The stems are also what one would call "creeping or trailing stems" that root at nodes. Ground Ivy also has a distinctive mint like odor when it is mowed.
And, because it has a blue to violet flower it is also often mistaken
for....
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Common Blue Violet
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However, if you look a bit closer one can see a major difference in both the texture and distinctive heart-shape of the Violet leaf. I have been told by many customers that their lawn care service has told them that there is nothing they can do about getting rid of this weed in their yards.
This however is just NOT true. If the lawn company tells you this then I would seriously question their knowledge and ability in servicing your lawn. There actually is a way to rid your yard of this demon. Spray it with a chemical call Triclopyr. It will not harm your grass and it will get rid of the wild violets that are plaguing your lawn. It will do the absolute best job if you spray it when the little buggers are blooming but anytime will work. However, be aware that this product will also kill small trees and shrubs so do not apply on a windy day and by all means READ the LABEL before applying and follow all safety precautions mentioned therein.
And
then there is
America's "favorite" weed.....
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The dandelion. Not much to say about recognizing this colorful and distinctive weed that brightens up an otherwise "plain old, well manicured and beautiful weed free lawn" in the spring. Personally, I enjoy the contrast or at least that is my story and I am sticking to it!
However, if you are wanting that beautiful weed free lawn you need to get rid of this weed before it gets it's puffy white seed head that disperses hundreds of new dandelions with even the gentlest spring breeze. This weed also has a very, very deep tap root which is hard to pull out without breaking it off. And if you do "break it off" instead of removing it entirely, you are likely to be re-visited by that same dandelion in a few short weeks.
There is however, a couple of redeeming qualities to be mentioned about the dandelion. The leaves have been used for centuries to make a fine garden salad or for the more adventurous....try your hand at Dandelion Wine!...hmmmmm....now we're talkin'!
However.......
If your yard happens to
look like this
Call a Realtor!
(haha)
But WAIT!!!
There's MORE
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Common Chickweed
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Common Chickweed is another annual weed like the Henbit and Deadnettle above. However, there is another variety called Mousear (mouse ear) Chickweed that is a perennial. They are both "prostrate" meaning they are low growing and run along the ground but the Mousear leaves are fuzzy and rounded like a mouse ear as opposed to the leaves in the above photo. Common Chickweed has rows of hair along its stem whereas the Mousear variety has it's leaves and stems densely covered in "hair". Both have a 5 petal white flower which is so deeply lobed that it appears to be 10 petals instead of 5.
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Red Clover
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Red clover is usually seen in fields as it is often planted in combination with other livestock forage plants. Because of this it also often "escapes" to find itself nestled quietly in your lawn. It is easily recognizable due to its pink to red flower and long oval to elliptical shaped leaves. It is fuzzy or hair like on one or both sides of the leaves.
And, the Red Clover is easily distinguished from the more common yard variety
of
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White Clover
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Ahhh...White Clover....The "weed" that legends have grown up around.
This is the weed with the leaf of "Good Fortune". This is the weed with the leaf of the Shamrock. It is said that St. Patrick used the White Clover leaf to teach pagans about Christianity. The three leaves, he would say, represented the Holy Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The fourth leaf, occurring 1 in every 100,000, was the symbol of God's Grace. The Celtic priests ( Druids ) were known to carry the white clover to ward off evil spirits.
So.....you might want to reconsider whether or not this particular plant growing in your lawn is actually a "weed" to remove. You might even want to take the kids or grand kids outside and all kinda hunker down around the White Clover patches because with a keen eye.... you know.... you just may be able to spot that "Lucky Charm"!
So, now you say " nice article but how do I get rid of the dang things?"
Well, if you are a Do-it-Yourselfer we have everything you need right here at the Nursery. And you don't need to spend hours trying to figure it out since we carry ONLY the stuff you actually NEED!! So come out and we can hook ya up with what ails ya....or that is...your lawn.
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A Closing Thought
"How perfect would it be if we all learned lessons
before we learned lessons!"
....Anonymous (maybe me)
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Beaver Creek Nursery
Southeastern Indiana's Largest
& Most Unique Nursery
812-689-5595
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