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

Every year at this time I see neighbors with this pretty little flower coming up all over their yards. So pretty is the Bushy Aster…purple flowers with yellow centers.  If you are like this Red Dirt Gardener then you too are on a mission to make sure this prolific weed does not take root in your yard.

Bush Aster, as are all weeds are opportunists. They love bare unhealthy soil as well as dryness.  Given the chance, they will choke out ailing and healthy Bermuda in their ever ending cycle of flowering and going to seed.  If ignored they have roots that go all the way to China…if you know what I mean.

How to get rid of:

Red Dirt Gardening Organic Solution

· Use corn gluten meal as a pre-emergent on your yard in November.

· The Bushy Aster has a very woody stem and is easy to pull in healthy soil. If the plant has seeded, be sure to carefully dispose of it not dropping the seeds into the yard.

· Pull them before they seed and spread to other areas like your neighbors yard.

· These plants are not good composting material.  Dispose of them in waist bin.

Red Dirt Gardening Chemical Solution

Spray in October/November as the plant will begin seeding for next spring if you do not spray the flowers. Use a broad leave weed killer.

Do not forget to feed and water the birds.

American Robins seem to always show up after I have mowed my yard, tended to the soil or planted something new in search of worms and bugs.  Upon occasion I have had so many appear that we they left it looked like I had aerated part of my yard.  They are a wonderful benefit to healthy soil and a hoot to watch.  I put any grubs I find on a large landscaping rock and watch the robins feast!

"The Original" Red Dirt Gardener