Herald - Issue 389

Page 28 • The HERALD • 4th June 2020 v WE’VE BEEN YOUR LOCAL SINCE 1994 v RYAN FENCING Quality Fencing & Gates 07769 706516 • 023 8084 1203 www.ryan-fencing.co.uk • Find us on Facebook A J  GLEESON BUILDING & GROUNDWORK DRIVEWAYS EXTENSIONS BRICKWORK GROUNDWORK BLOCK PAVING Colours & Designs to suit your requirements Local Work Available to View CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION New Forest & Southampton 023 8084 4180 Mobile: 07770 771475 Bramdene, Main Road, Dibden, Southampton | DOWN THE GARDEN PATH | One gardener’s weedy lawn is another’s wildflower meadow, so decide if you really want to combat these plants. On weedy lawns, selective lawn weedkillers will usually control the weeds, but leave the grass unharmed. What are lawn weeds? Although the term ‘weed’ is subjective, it is usually applied to invasive plants that compete with the grass for space to grow – clover and dandelions, coarse-leaved grasses, daisies and buttercups are just some examples. Early identi cation and prompt removal can alleviate large-scale problems. is can be as simple as following a yearly lawn maintenance plan. e season starts with spring and summer care but autumn care is particularly important. Appearance ere are several ways lawn weeds are o en noticed: • e grass may look patchy, have an uneven growth rate or simply include areas that are a di erent colour or texture to the rest of the lawn. • Flowers appear in the grass. is can occur even in a closely mown lawn, but o en appears when the grass is allowed to grow longer. • Patches may remain green during a drought. Lawn weeds may perform better or worse than the lawn grasses, staying green or turning brown. Cause Lawn weeds establish because they survive close, regular mowing. ey spread by seed or creeping stems, and are usually problematic where the grass is sparse. Control First, consider whether you wish to control the weeds using non- chemical means, such as digging out. Where these methods are not feasible, chemical controls may be needed. Choose a weedkiller that is most appropriate for that purpose by reading the label carefully before buying or using. Non-weedkiller controls ere are a number of non-chemical options to try rst; • Feeding, aerating and scarifying will encourage the grass to be more vigorous and so make it more di cult for the weeds to compete. • Remove rosette-type weeds, such as dandelion, daisy and plantain, with a handfork • Dig out weeds resistant to weedkillers in autumn; and re-turf or re-seed. • Rake over and then mow to discourage creeping weeds such as speedwells, white clover, silverweed and sorrels. • Apply garden lime to acid soils in the winter. Dress with lime at 50g per sq m (1½oz per sq yd) to deter weeds such as sorrels and field woodrush. • Avoid close mowing, particularly with parsley piert and pearlwort, as this can weaken the grass and allow the weeds in. Weedkiller controls Lawn weedkillers may be needed where many instructions before you begin. It is important to follow them and apply the weedkiller as stated – this will ensure e ective results and your safety. • Choose a product that is easy to apply. Lawn weedkillers are available to spray on, apply with watering can and dribble bar, and less frequently as granules that are scattered on the surface. • For spot treatment, apply ready-to-use sprays. • Only use with a combined mosskiller where moss is a problem. • Most lawn weeds are killed by weedkiller application, some by a single treatment, but others requiring two or three applications at four to six week intervals. New lawns New lawns are often severely damaged by weedkillers if applied to lawns within six months of sowing or turf-laying. However, products containing fluroxypyr (Weedol Lawn Weedkiller) as one of their ingredients are claimed to be safe to use if applied a er two months of sowing or laying turf. e new turf must be growing well. Inclusion of a weedkiller product does not indicate a recommendation or endorsement by the RHS. It is a list of products currently available to the home gardener. Composting treated clippings What can you do with lawn clippings after applying a weedkiller? • Do not add the rst lawn clippings a er application to the compost heap. • e next three mowings, especially from products containing clopyralid (which is very persistent), should be used as a mulch only after composting for at least 9 months. If in doubt, check pack for manufacturer’s recommendations. The following weedkillers contain clopyralid Vitax LawnClear 2, Weedol Lawn Weedkiller, Roundup Lawn Weedkiller, Vitax LawnClear 2 Green Up Lawn Liquid Feed & Weed (also contains fertiliser). • To avoid possible contamination of compost, do not collect the clippings at all but mow frequently and allow the short clippings to remain on the surface of the lawn. ese will quickly disperse to leave an acceptable finish. Lawnmowers with a ‘mulching’ function are particularly e ective. LAWNS: WEED CONTROL Advice from RHS weeds have e s t a b l i s h e d . When buying a lawn weedkiller, check the label to nd out if it will work on the weeds in your turf. • Apply a weedkiller in spring and s u m m e r , when the grass and weeds are growing vigorously. • Read the Clover in a lawn