Oklahoma City weed control
The wind comes sweeping down the plains in Oklahoma, and the weeds do too. Since prevailing winds come from the north and the west most of the year, Oklahoma residents most often find pesky intruders from these directions. Whether you're dealing with excessive weed growth during your spring planting season or you find invasive species strangling your otherwise blossoming summer garden, there are options available to control the situation.
Preventing Problems Before They Start
There is a saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When it comes to lawn maintenance and keeping weeds at bay, this couldn't be further from the truth. One easy and effective way to keep a lawn looking beautiful, healthy, and weed-free is by mowing regularly. There's another equally wise (and true) saying that weeds hate nothing more than a healthy lawn that's maintained according to the local climate. This is because while local grasses and plants have adapted to the environment, the intruders have not. To keep weeds at bay, all that you need to do is follow a general maintenance schedule.
Bermuda Grass
Bermuda grass is one of the most common grasses in the Oklahoma City area. Sometimes, either because they're sick of mowing by that point or it's too cold, homeowners stop mowing their lawns with Bermuda grass in the fall. While it doesn't appear at first glance to be doing any harm, the grass develops into a large, tangled mess of stalks, stems, and roots over the winter. The dead blades rot on the lawn, which in turn creates an unhealthy yard. Recall the rule of thumb that a healthy yard keeps weeds at bay. Therefore, if you have a lawn with Bermuda grass, it's best to mow it regularly through fall, starting in the spring season. But it's also important to not mow too much. Removing more than one-third of the grass can cause its health to suffer, and it will also weaken the grass's roots.
Zoysia
Zoysia is another grass that is commonly found on lawns in and around Oklahoma City. This grass does naturally turn brown in the fall. But it proves that appearances can be deceiving because the grass does not die at that point. Left unattended, it will continue to grow, albeit slowly, through the winter. Ideally, like Bermuda grass, zoysia should be mowed through the fall, at least until the first snowfall, to keep your yard healthy and prevent weeds from growing in the spring.
Common Diseases
Sometimes, even the most well-intentioned homeowner can end up with a yard riddled with disease. Several diseases are more common in this area than others. They include large patch, dollar spot, and brown patch. Most diseases can be avoided by following good yard maintenance practices. Along with mowing the lawn regularly to keep grass healthy and fresh, an excellent way to prevent disease is by letting the lawn sit in the open air as long as possible. While it might be tempting to store your yard furniture and other items on the front or back yard for the winter, doing so can cause more harm than good. In addition to killing the underlying grass, it can also invite the spread of law disease. While you can't prevent snow from falling on your yard, keep in mind that any time the grass is covered, whether from snow or a man made object, your yard is at a higher risk of developing a disease. Brown patch is a fungus that generally attacks Bermuda grass and Kentucky Bluegrass. It often starts as a small patch that spreads quickly. Large patch is another fungus. It resembles a brown patch in the time of its onset and the grasses it attacks. As the name suggests, this disease appears in large patches that can span 20 feet or more in diameter. Orange, reddish-brown, and yellow patches are common symptoms.
Common Weeds
From bluegrass to Black Medic, there are some common weeds to be on the lookout for in Oklahoma.
Annual Bluegrass
One of the most common and fast spreading of all weeds in the Oklahoma City area is annual bluegrass. Native to meadows and prairies, this weed quickly adapts to harsh conditions. The weed thrives in temperate conditions, but it tolerates the seasonal conditions in Oklahoma well. Annual bluegrass requires little water and soil that is not nutritious, which makes it a threat in many areas.
Black Medic
Black medic is a member of the clover family. It is closely related to sweet clover. It is a crawling weed that tends to grow more slowly. However, it is hard to get rid of, and therefore one of the most common plants in Oklahoma. When fully grown, this weed reaches a height of two-three inches. The weed starts to emerge in hot and dry conditions. It is more likely to appear in lawns that are dried out and stressed, which means it's a good idea to keep yours watered and healthy. Confusing this weed with clover is easy. However, yellow flowers and a short stalk make it distinct.
Bull Nettle
Bull nettle is a hardy weed with sharp thorns. If you've ever accidentally picked up a nettle plant, you know it burns. This weed is native to Texas and the southeastern US. However, it can easily blow on the wind to Oklahoma. You'll be able to distinguish this weed by its formidable stinging hairs. If you happen to spot it, remember to use gloves to remove it.
Oklahoma's Conducive Climate
Oklahoma has four seasons. Summers are warm, sunny, and might not get much rainfall, but winters are cold. Fall is cool and dry, while spring is wet and warm. If you are planting a garden or deciding on a new grass for your lawn, keep in mind that planting native species, which are adapted to the climate, is an excellent way to keep pests and intruders away.
Since weeds can grow anytime, the best way to prevent them is to keep your lawn healthy year-round! Ideally, your lawn and garden maintenance extends throughout the year. By mowing your lawn, pruning, and avoiding putting heavy objects on your yard, you'll keep weeds and pests at bay.
