How to get rid of weeds

How to get rid of weeds in the Las Cruces, New Mexico Area.

Rain in Las Cruces, NM. Yea...It's great to finally get a few sprinkles of the wet stuff from the rain gods (03-09-09). Why do we treasure these few droplets of moisture? Because we get so little of it and it starts the beginning of the spring season. Perennials and annuals start to bloom, trees, shrubs and dormant bermuda lawns start to green up. But there is one big draw back. Weeds....they pop out and grow faster than a teenage kid coming out of puberty.

There are several things you can do to stop or prevent those annoying weeds from popping out all over the place.

1. Pre-emergence apply now (late winter) to keep weed seeds from germinating during early spring and summer. Remember this product will only inhibit the growth of seed growth and will NOT kill existing weeds. Ask for it at your local Nursery.

2. Pull them out by hand as soon as you see them. My least favorite but works the best. It is important to know pulling out by hand will also get the roots out. This means they will not re-generate new growth again. Weeds that get chopped off at the top will usually grow back stronger and larger due to the fact that the root system is still intact.

3. Apply a herbicide that will kill weeds but will not harm your grass. There are many products to chose from. Ferti Lome's Weed out plus works well in Bermuda and Fescue type of lawns. It works best upon the second or third application. Be sure to apply at the recommended rate via the label instructions.

4. Keep your lawn healthy and lucious by following a strict water and fertilizing schedule. Fertilize at least once in spring, summer and early fall. A good healthly lawn will usually choke out other weeds from coming out.

BTW if you really want a lawn that will be the envy of all your neighbors I highly recommend you check out this site: http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com/lawn-care.htm

Thanks from Paul Guzman
Be sure to visit guzmansgreenhouse.com for more gardening advice.