Though he did not specifically mention Oklahoma weeds,  I do tend to agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson when he defined a weed as “a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered”. True, some of Oklahoma’s weeds are adorned with pretty flowers like the bushy aster below. And while other Oklahoma weeds may have interesting foliage, I do not want their interesting contributions in my lawn or flower beds.

As we move from Oklahoma’s winter into spring, it is important that once we have reach about 50 degrees to begin your weed control program. This is will allow you to get the upper hand on pesky weeds such as foxtail, purslane, henbit, knotweed and common lambs quarter. These guys all went to seed this past fall and will begin their cycle all over again as they crop up in your lawn and garden.

If you want to save time and money read on…

The First Step To Getting Rid of Oklahoma Lawn and Garden Weeds

In order to have a effective herbicide plan you will need to know what types of weeds that you have because most herbicides control only certain  weeds. Identifying your weeds is critical in selecting the appropriate herbicide. Even if you can not positively identify your weeds (Oklahoma Weed Identification) just being able to distinguish whether they are grassy weeds or broadleaf weeds may very well be sufficient information for selecting the right herbicide.

All grassy weeds have long, narrow leaves with straight veins running parallel the full length of the leaf like the crabgrass pictured below.

Broadleaf weeds have broader leaves with veins arranged in a branching or net-like pattern. The most common is probably the dandelion but there are others like cud weed shown below.

The Second Step Is To Know When Your Weeds Are The Most Susceptible To Control

Knowing what weeds you have will allow you to know their life cycle. If you know what stage of growth the weed is in then you will also know when it is going to be most susceptible to a herbicide.  Application at the right stage of growth will save you time and money.

Oklahoma Summer/Winter Annual Weeds

Oklahoma’s annual weeds complete their life cycle in one growing season depositing seeds that they will emerge from the following year. There are annual weeds that grow in the summer and produce seeds in the fall, and there are annual weeds that grow in the winter and produce seeds in late spring or early summer.

When To Treat Your Weeds

Control of Oklahoma’s spring and summer germinating weeds is best accomplished before they emerge. Early treatment is the only way to get almost complete control over weeds and to stop their cycle. A pre emergent should not be applied until the days warm to at least 50 degrees.

Once summer annual weeds have germinated in the spring they will typically die with the first hard frost in the fall. Examples of commonly found Oklahoma summer annual grassy weeds include crabgrass, foxtails, goose grass, and sandbur.

Crabgrass and foxtails are controlled in  established turf grasses like Bermuda and buffalo by applying a pre emergence herbicides between March 15 to April 1.

Summer annual broadleaf weeds include asters, carpetweed, knotweed, puncture vine, common purslane, and spotted spurge can be safely controlled in established Bermuda grass perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and zoysia grass by applications of 2,4-D, Banvel (dicamba), MCPP (mecoprop) combinations (Trex-San, Trimec, 33-Plus, etc.) soon after their emergence in May and June.

Read The Label And More Is Not Better

Once you know what type of weeds you have be sure to read the label and follow the directions on any poison that you buy insuring that your weed is mentioned and do not over apply or you will only be wasting your time and money. 

 Do not forget to feed and water the birds!

One of my Oklahoma favorites, the  Painted Bunting

The “Original” Red Dirt Gardener

Based upon the type of turf you are using for your Oklahoma lawn you will find your annual fertilization schedule.  Prior to fertilizing, I encourage you to have a soil test done every 2 to 3 years.  This way you will know the right fertilizer bag to buy based upon the numbers on the bag..ie 10-5-10, 32-0-10, etc. See article on Oklahoma Soil Test 

If you follow this fertilization regiment, you should find yourself with a beautiful and healthy Oklahoma lawn. Remember to water adequately and apply the fertilizer evenly.

I encourage you not to bag your grass but to put a mulching blade on your mower and leave the clippings  on your lawn as it will put nitrogen back into the lawn. Also, by not bagging your grass clippings, you wont have to buy trash sacks any more to put them in. Plus, it is a whole lot easier to mow without the mower being weighted down by the grass clippings.

Example of unevenly applied fertilizer which was probably done with a drop spreader.  You may find using a broadcast spreader  easier, but you still have to pay attention to what you are doing to be sure you application is spread evenly on the lawn.

Fertilize Oklahoma Bermuda Grass

May 1, June 1, July 1, August 1, and September 1

Fertilize Oklahoma Buffalo Grass

May 1 and August 1

Fertilize Oklahoma  Zoysia Grass

May 1, June 1, and September 1

Tall Fescue, Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass

March 1, May 1, October 1, and December 1

Slow Release Fertilizer

Fewer applications of slow release fertilizer are necessary for Bermuda grass because more ni­trogen can be applied per application. Therefore, the July and September fertilizer applications on Bermuda grass can be dropped if a slow release fertilizer is used. A slow release fertilizer is also recommended for the May application on fescue, bluegrass, and ryegrass lawns.

Organic Fertilization

Organic fertilizers require less water, less mowing, saves you money and will not burn your lawn. Where To Buy Organic Products  I use an organic product called Sustane, I do not bag my grass and I water deeply 2 times per week in the summer.  This can very according to current weather conditions.  The result is a beautiful, healthy green lawn.  I applied the same practice in the DFW area with St. Augustine with the same results. 

Do not forget to water the birds during  Oklahoma summers!

The “Original” Red Dirt Gardener