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Stark-Billings County |
Extension Spotlites
September 11, 2009
September Lawn Tips
Mid to late September is the best time to kill broadleaf weeds, including dandelions, creeping Charlie, thistles and clovers. As temperatures cool off and days get shorter, the weeds will begin channeling their nutrients down into their roots to prepare for winter. This is great, because a herbicide sprayed on a weed at this time will naturally be channeled into the weeds root system, killing the entire plant.
Mid-August to mid-September is the best time of the year to sow grass or lay sod. The ground is warmer and the new grass will fill in quickly. As a bonus, weed seeds are less likely to germinate in lawns established in fall compared to lawns established in spring.
Fall is the most important time to fertilize your lawn. Lawns are actively growing and will develop most of their roots this time of year. If you fertilize your lawn only once a year, do so in September.
If your soil is compacted, consider aerating your lawn this fall. Treated lawns will respond with vigorous new root growth until the ground freezes. Many persons overseed immediate after aeration. If overseeding, do this by mid-September.
For more information contact:
Kurt Froelich,
Extension Agent
NDSU Extension Service
Stark-Billings County
1340 W. Villard St.
Dickinson ND 58601-4646
(701) 456-7665