University of Maryland Extension: Garden Q&A
Q: What chemical can I use to get rid of the broadleaf weeds in my lawn? I want to do this before I overseed my lawn this fall. These hot summers are killing my grass.
A: Don’t apply herbicides when the air temperature is above 85 degrees. Your grass can be damaged. Also at high temperatures some herbicides will volatilize, wasting the product and, even worse, the herbicide vapors can be absorbed by non-target plants where serious herbicide injury can occur.
Read the herbicide label very carefully, so you don’t accidentally damage turf or other plants. In droughts, most weeds slow or stop growing anyway, so you may as well wait a couple of weeks for better, cooler weather.
Fall is the best time to plant grass seed. By planting in early fall, you insure your grass has three seasons to establish good roots before another killer summer hits. See one of our many publications on growing turf: “Broadleaf Weed Control in Established Lawns” http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/documents/TT49broadleaf-weed-control.pdf.
Q: I harvested my watermelons and they are tasteless, even though I kept them well-watered. What happened?
A: When developing, watermelons like about an inch of water a week. But during the last 1-2 weeks of growth (unless there is a prolonged dry period) they will produce better flavor if you stop watering.
See our Grow It Eat It website at www.growit.umd.edu for Profiles on each type of vegetable, plus you can trouble shoot with our new Plant and Pest Problems feature.
