Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
For some reason, I have an infestation of weeds along the edge of my patio. My lawn looks good (although it's brown), but why would the weeds show up and look like this? Joan
Answer
Hi Joan. I periodically write about proper lawn
care and you have a great example of what can happen when you
cut your grass too short. Most lawn grasses in this area are what
are called "cool season" plants. That means that they grow well
in the spring and fall when the weather is cool and there is good
rainfall, but they don't grow well in the summer. In fact, in the heat
of the summer most grasses stop growing and go dormant to save
their energy and turn brown. Weeds, on the other hand, are "warm
season" plants that do just the opposite - they grow great when the
weather is hot in the summer, and their growth greatly diminishes
in the spring and the fall when things cool off. The way you can
combat weeds is to cut your grass no shorter than 3 ½" (and leave
it even longer in the summer). The longer length helps the grass
plant make it through dormancy, but, importantly, shades the
weeds and keeps the soil cooler. Weeds don't like shade or cooler
soil, and keeping your grass long will keep them in check. Your picture shows a perfect example
of what can happen when the edge of the lawn has been cut too short with a weedwacker – soil
heats up, crab grass sprouts in the full sun and takes over that little space. Out in the lawn where
the mower was set properly, you don't have that problem. When you have a good, healthy lawn
growing, weeds don't have a chance. Here's what to do. In September, dig up and throw away
what's left of the weeds, add top soil if needed along the edge of your patio and re-seed. Keep
the seed and sprouting grass plants moist and in a few weeks, you'll have a nice stand of grass
growing. Whether you have a small area like this or a larger area, crabgrass control for 2016
starts in September 2015 by getting good grass to grow to crowd out the weeds next year. One
word of caution, before you apply any grass seed, make certain your soil chemistry is correct by
doing a soil test. Sprigs & Twigs can do a soil test for a nominal fee and advise if your soil is ready
for seed or if any corrective action is needed prior to seeding. Give our office a call.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
