Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine

Numerous plants are going through their springtime bloom, including some of the less desirable plants.  BYGLers commented on the massive carpets of dandelions that cover home lawns, agriculture fields and turfgrass areas around businesses.  Soon these dazzling fields of golden yellow blossoms will be turning into fields of puffball seed heads to spread the dandelions to new locations.  Dandelions are most effectively controlled when they are in "puffball" stage.

Although the dandelions may be growing actively, many of the other broadleaf weeds in lawns have yet to begin their growth and development for this year.  Because of this difference in growth and development of broadleaf weeds, proper timing of broadleaf weed herbicide applications can be a challenge.  There is a temptation to apply these herbicides as soon as the dandelions appear, however, if only one application of broadleaf herbicides is going to be applied in the spring/early summer, many of the slower growing broadleaf weeds, such as plantain and ground ivy, will be missed.  Thus, it is recommended that spring applications of broadleaf herbicides be delayed until mid to late May to allow these other weeds to being growing more actively.

On the other hand, areas with massive populations of dandelions need to be tackled now to reduce the amount of seeds produced, and to reduce the competition of the dandelions with the turfgrass.  This action will require a second spring application of broadleaf herbicides later in the spring/early summer, if other weeds are present.

Most of the broadleaf herbicides are formulations of 2,4‑D, MCPP, dicamba, MCPA, 2,4‑DP or some combination of these products.  Read the labels on these products carefully, paying close attention to limits to the number of applications permitted per year, timing of mowing in relation to the timing of application, environmental conditions, and avoidance of runoff into bodies of water.