Climate has a profound affect on how well your lawn and plants grow. Moreover, climate has a major affect on what problems you will encounter when caring for your lawn and garden.
For example, north, north central, and southern regions of the United States suffer immense problems with ground ivy. In the Southeast the climate permits the Virginia buttonweed to flourish, and in the west, of course, the climate causes problems that lead to too little or too much water.
Let’s take one issue at a time.
Ground Ivy
The introduction of ground ivy into the region is a good example of unexpected consequences. People used the vegetation to prevent or limit erosion and it had served well as a substitute for grass in shady areas where grass doesn’t grow. However, in the north, north-central and south
Ground ivy.
(Courtesy: Marilee on flickr.com)
regions of the country ground ivy have become a weed.
It flourishes in moist soil and shade and in full sunlight. The creepy foliage is known as creeping Jenny and creeping Charlie. Ground ivy spreads as a seed and by the vining stems that root in nodes.
Borax solution has been touted as a remedy, but it is harmful to grasses you want to retain and is less affective than herbicides.
To eradicate and prevent it from becoming a nuisance to your lawn you need to use some muscle. Experts suggest that you dig up the weed and their roots, then throw them away along with the soil in which they were growing. Fill in the holes with clean topsoil and reseed in early fall.
Some people have used herbicides with triclopyr or 2, 4-D as a way to eradicate the problem, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers them to be a possible human carcinogen.
Still, knowing its disadvantages, you can still use the chemicals. However, if you do, wear rubber gloves, eye protection, long pants, closed shoes and a long-sleeved shirt when applying. Of course, follow the directions that are on the package.
Virginia Buttonweed
Buttonweed is considered to be the number one broadleaf lawn weed problem in Mississippi and Virginia. It starts growing in early summer and
Virginia buttonweed.
(Courtesy: Seig at flickr.com)
continues to grow until frost appears. You can identify the weed by its fuzzy flowers. It is a perennial and spreads as an expanding clump, broken shoots or roots and seeds. Water carries the seeds. That’s why it appears first where water collects.
Again you will need to use muscle to eradicate this weed. First, experts say you must alter the grade of your land and improve the drainage to reduce collecting water. If only a few plants are present, pull them by hand. Make sure you remove as much of the root as possible. Hand pulling works, but you need to do it consistently for one to two seasons. People have also been known to use glyphosate or glufosinate-ammonium, but you will have to reseed or re-sod.
Some herbicides that include 2, 4-D, dicamba and MCCP can be used to target this weed without killing the lawn. However, 2, 4-D and MCCP are considered to be carcinogens and dicamba can cause reproductive problems, according to the EPA. It is imperative that you follow directions when applying and wear rubber gloves, eye protection, closed shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when using. You can’t use these chemicals on all types of grasses, so check the label before you start applying. Keep in mind that you may have to repeat application.
Too Little or Too Much Water
Water is always an issue in the western region of the country. Irrigation is a necessity all summer long there. Watering too much or too little is the
Too much or too little water is a regional problem in the west.
(Courtesy: Deb at flickr.com)
cause of many lawn problems there. Environmental horticulturist Ali Harivandi of the University of California Cooperative Extension has said, “At least 40 percent of the problems people have with their lawns relate to the type of irrigation they have.” He suggests that you don’t depend on rain or portable or hose end sprinklers because people put them on and forget about them and they miss corners.
Experts suggest that you install an underground watering system that includes a programmable timer that you can adjust according to the seasons. A system such as this will offer more uniformed watering and your lawn will grow much better.
It is also suggested that if you have an underground sprinkler system, add electric valves and a timer for better efficiency. Include rain and soil moisture sensors with the timer to override it.
