Controlling Spring Weeds and Spring Feeding

Controlling Spring Weeds

Weeds always seem to get an early jump on you in spring. Before you know it, they're competing with desirable plants, robbing them of light, water and nutrients. They also look terrible, clogging the straight rows of vegetable and flower beds, messing up new planting of ground covers, and finding every crack and crevice in walkways, paths and driveways. In mild-winter areas, this assault has already started or will soon. In other areas, there are weeds in your near future.

For quick and effective weed control, use Bayer Advanced™ PowerForce® Grass & Weed Killer Concentrate (product discontinued). It kills unwanted weeds, grasses (including tough ones like Bermudagrass) and vines down to the roots and provides visable results within 24 hours. And it includes SmartTrack, a non-staining marker that shows exactly which weeds have been treated. Bayer Advanced™ PowerForce® Grass & Weed Killer Concentrate (product discontinued) can be used on and around walkways, driveways and patios, in flower, vegetable and herb gardens, and around fences, buildings, trees and shrubs. It even kills tough woody weeds like poison oak, poison ivy and blackberry. As always, read the label carefully before using.

Here are the best ways to prevent and eliminate weeds in your garden and yard.

Cultivate often. Use a trowel, hoe or other garden implement to turn the soil, uprooting young weeds and exposing their roots.

Plant closely. Planting vegetables and flowers close together will help them shade-out weed seedlings.

Pull by hand. This time-honored solution can be remarkably effective if you keep at it. Just make sure to get all the roots.

Mulch. A thick layer of organic mulch, like compost or ground bark, will smother weed seeds, preventing young plants from reaching the surface. Weeds that do get through will be easier to pull.

Use landscape fabric. Landscape fabrics are cloth-like materials that are permeable to water but smother weeds. Roll them out before planting ground covers, roses or other landscape plants, then cut small X's to plant through. Then cover the fabric with organic mulch to make it look more natural. Landscape fabrics are also a good choice to use under gravel or stone ground covers.

Spring Feeding

For plants, spring is a time of vigorous growth and renewal. But, unless the proper nutrients are available in the soil, all types, from roses to trees to annuals and vegetables, can get off to a slow start and grow poorly through the rest of the year. With spring's arrival imminent in mild-winter areas and just around the corner everywhere else, it's time to remember the value of Bayer Advanced™ Triple Action All Purpose Plant Food Granules.

Why Triple Action?

Triple Action from Bayer Advanced impacts the plant, roots and soil to promote balanced growth at all levels:

• Plant: Feeds the plant to produce bigger flowers, foliage, fruits and vegetables and enhances the overall appearance of your plant.
• Roots: Builds stronger, deeper root systems, which more efficiently transport water and nutrients from the soil. Stronger root systems mean stronger plants that can better withstand heat and drought.
• Soil: Enriches and fortifies your soil with additional nutrients that are stored in the soil and released when the plant needs it. A rich, fertile soil provides a foundation for establishing roots and replenishes vital primary nutrients.

Easy To Use

Bayer Advanced™ Triple Action All Purpose Plant Food Granules is easy to use. Just sprinkle the plant food evenly over the root area or across the plant bed according to label instructions. It can be worked into the top ¼-inch of soil if that is preferred. Fertilization should begin in spring and continue at three-month intervals until fall. In mild-winter climates, you may need to fertilize year-round.

Products Mentioned In This Article

Triple Action All Purpose Plant Food Granules