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Chickweed and henbit Each year, these winter annual
weeds run No. 1 and 2 in the early spring. This year it seems
like chickweed is running slightly ahead. Winter annual weeds
can actually germinate in the fall, carry through the winter,
then get going very early in the spring. They are done by the
heat of the summer, leaving seed to germinate again later in the
fall. Right now chickweed stands out in yards because it is
quite abundant and has a lighter green color than grass and most
other weeds. I can't begin to tell you how to identify it; it
gets even harder when there is common chickweed and mouse-ear
chickweed. Henbit is easier to identify since it has purple
flowers and smells like mint. As for control, that gets a bit
easier.
Henbit
Chickweed
The straight 2,4-D that is used on dandelions seems to act
like a fertilizer for chickweed and other problem weeds.
Combinations that contain 2,4-D, MCPP and dicamba are rated very
effective on chickweed, henbit, red sorrel, purslane, white
clover and others. These combinations are sold under several
different trade names. You can find these at most hardware,
discount, and lawn and garden stores. Just check the label under
active ingredients and check for two long chemical names and
dicamba. You can also check to see that it says it will control
chickweed and henbit. This group of chemicals is effective in
the 50-degree range and up. As with any chemical control, read
and follow label instructions very carefully. You should be
aware of some cautions on these product labels concerning injury
to sensitive plants. This is because dicamba can drift as a
vapor for a few weeks after you apply it if the weather gets hot
and sunny.
Nuisance tree fruit removal
Nuisance fruit removal is a term used for removing sweet gum
balls, maple seeds and crab apples. It really applies to fruit
that is a nuisance.
There are several products available to eliminate nuisance
fruit. The most common is ethephon, and it is used as a foliar
spray to reduce or eliminate undesirable fruit or seeds. A
couple of the trade names are Florel and Ethrel. The product is
effective at eliminating much of the fruit without affecting
leaf growth and color, and it does not harm other plants that
get some spray drift on them. It also does not affect the actual
flowering of the treated trees.
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With ethephon, the key is in the timing. The application must be
made during flowering but before the fruit set in. For most
flowering trees there is a 10-14-day window of opportunity. Sweet
gums are a little tricky since there are no showy flowers involved,
so effective sprays should occur just as new leaves begin to emerge.
Sprays should leave leaves wet, but not to the point of dripping.
Good coverage of the tree is needed, so keep in mind the size of the
tree when you are weighing this option.
This product is a growth regulator that naturally occurs. Its
natural production is stimulated by stress, so make sure you aren't
treating a tree that is under stress from drought, high
temperatures, diseases or other environmental stresses. Treating
stressed trees can cause severe injury to the plant, such as leaf
loss or scorching.
There are also injection products available (mainly through
commercial applicators), but the cost is considerably more. The
other side of the coin with some of the injection products is that
they may not remove as much of the nuisance fruit. In the end, weigh
your options and decide what may work best for you.
Master Gardener plant sale
Many have been asking about the Master Gardener plant sale for
this year. The group has been busy working to prepare for the plant
sale. This year's date is April 26, and the sale will be from 9 a.m.
to noon (or sellout) in the Exhibition Building at the fairgrounds.
They plan to have perennials, annuals, houseplants, vegetables and a
few shrubs.
[By
JOHN FULTON,
University of Illinois Extension, Logan County]
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