To combat weeds, Flanagan advises gardeners to apply pre-emergent weed controls to both the landscape bed and turf areas soon.
“Once the weeds do emerge, you will need to treat with either Round-Up, for landscape bed areas, or your choice of lawn weed killers. Keep the Round-Up off the turf areas though, unless you are planning to re-seed these areas because it will kill anything green it touches,” Flanagan said.
Jeff Dorton, landscape designer and salesman at Berns Garden Center and Landscaping in Middletown and Beavercreek, said weeds will be an ongoing concern.
“Due to the warm temperatures, crabgrass seeds may have already begun to germinate, which will necessitate post emergent control measures.
Dandelions are already quite prevalent, which means that broadleaf weed controls should be applied soon, about a month ahead of normal,” Dorton said.
Consistency will help win the battle against weeds.
“Do not expect to spray once and wait a month to treat again; the problem will only get worse and create more work and more money spent down the road,” Flanagan said.
“Treat the areas once a week for at least three weeks to make sure that the problem is under control.”
Act now
Kathy Matousch, manager of Siebenthaler’s in Centerville, said now is the time to clean up beds, prune the evergreens and summer blooming shrubs, apply mulch or a top dressing of compost and attack the worst offending cool season weeds like Henbit, Chickweed and Bittercress.
“There are herbicides such as Weed B Gon Max or Bonide Weed Beater Ultra available that will kill the weeds and leave your grass alone. More than one application will be necessary,” Matousch said.
Paying attention to your lawn will also help control weeds.
“Mowing at the right heights, fertilizing regularly and giving the lawn water when it is needed will allow your turf to choke out weeds instead of the weeds choking out the turf,” Flanagan said.
Giving your lawn some air will also improve its health, Flanagan said.
“Core aeration allows for roots to spread and for more air circulation throughout the lawn,” Flanagan said.
“You can overseed your yard at that time as well, but make sure you do not use pre-emergent weed controls after seeding because these controls will kill the grass seed as well.”
Bug those insects
The warm weather has also brought trouble of the four-legged, eight-legged or too many legs to count kind.
“Another thing to be on the look out for this spring is bugs. The mild winter has allowed more of them to survive, while the warm March has brought them out of hibernation and into our landscapes with their appetites in high gear.
Keep an eye on your landscapes for insect activity much earlier then normal and be prepared to act accordingly,” Dorton said.
John Anderson, president of Andy’s Garden with locations in Piqua and Troy, said gardeners need to aware of a variety of damaging insects.
“The winter has not been cold enough to kill the majority of them off. I expect everything from aphids to spider mites to mosquitoes and a variety of lawn damaging bugs and grubs to be a problem,” Anderson said.
Time to plant, but wisely
Even with the weeds and bugs, the warm temps have brought some good things.
“Now is the perfect time to plant. The ground is extremely workable and the ground temperatures are great for plants since most of them are now out of dormancy,” Flanagan said. “By amending the soil well with organic materials, using a good root stimulant fertilizer, and applying a nice layer of mulch, plants should have no problem establishing themselves this early in the season.”
But make sure what you’re planting can take the potential chill.
“Cool-weather plants such as pansies and flowering bulbs can go out now. Don’t even think about normal spring bedding plants yet. The last average frost date is still May 15th, so be patient,” Matousch said.
Flanagan suggests waiting on planting annuals like impatiens and geraniums.
“If you are really wanting to get your other annual plants going, I would suggest starting off planting up some annual planters. You can get your color and still be able to move them to a safe place if a frost does occur,” Flanagan said.
“If you are planting anything that is in flower or is still in a very tender state, make sure these plants are covered if there is a threat of heavy frost.”
John Burkhart, owner of Burkharts Nursery & Landscaping in Miamisburg, said veggies like cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, peas, potatoes and lettuce, will handle potential cold temperatures if planted now.
“Get the vegetable garden prepared with a top dressing of compost or manure. Make sure all the debris from last year is cleared away. Clean tomato cages or supports with a bleach mix to help prevent the spread of diseases you may have had last year. This is a great time to plant potatoes, peas, spinach, kale, broccoli, and cabbage. Lettuce can also be done if you are willing to provide a light cover for it on frosty nights,” Matousch said.
H2Go for it
Don’t forget to add water.
“Plants that have been planted in the last two years might need to be watered even though we have had some rain; the roots on newly planted plants need watering until the roots become established well, best to check root ball before watering,” Burkhart said.
Paying attention to the weather report might help save your plants.
“As warm as the past two weeks have been, we may have a bit of damage on tender foliage and blooms when we have freeze warnings.
“If your fruit trees are blooming at that time, you can try going out before sunrise and hose down the blooms. That will wash off the frost that settled on them and hopefully save the crop,” Matousch said.
Overall, despite the unexpected warmer temps, gardeners should stay the course.
“As far as landscapes, lawns and gardens are concerned, we all should proceed as we would in a normal year. Plant trees, shrubs and perennials as you would any other year. Be prepared to water as you would in the summer should the warm temperatures continue and if Mother Nature decides to hold back on the natural watering,” Dorton said.
“All in all, other then a short flowering spring, we should all enjoy the warm spring while it lasts.”
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