Q. We have a weed problem in our back lawn and I think it
is called spurge. The leaves are small and it’s kind of viney. When I pull it,
I see this white sap coming from the broken vines. I can dig it out of the soil
where I have gazanias but cannot do the lawn that way. Any advice would be so
welcome.
A. Yes, that does sound like spurge. Spurge is a poor
competitor with other plants. It invades open spots whether you are growing
gazanias or a lawn. In open areas surrounding gazanias, the best option you
have is to use surface mulch. Mulches can be rock or wood. Gazanias will
tolerate both so pick either one.
competitor with other plants. It invades open spots whether you are growing
gazanias or a lawn. In open areas surrounding gazanias, the best option you
have is to use surface mulch. Mulches can be rock or wood. Gazanias will
tolerate both so pick either one.
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| Spotted spurge leaf closeup also showing white latex coming from freshly broken stem |
Actually
your lawn is acting like living mulch. As long as you keep your lawn a solid
covering and healthy, it will be difficult for any weed to invade.
your lawn is acting like living mulch. As long as you keep your lawn a solid
covering and healthy, it will be difficult for any weed to invade.
Make
sure your mowing height is high enough to shade the soil surface. Weed seeds
like to see light if they are to germinate and invade. Secondly, fertilize your
lawn regularly to maintain its density. Fertilizers that help to maintain its
leaf density and shading of the soil will be high in nitrogen.
sure your mowing height is high enough to shade the soil surface. Weed seeds
like to see light if they are to germinate and invade. Secondly, fertilize your
lawn regularly to maintain its density. Fertilizers that help to maintain its
leaf density and shading of the soil will be high in nitrogen.
Thirdly,
make sure your sprinkler system covers the entire lawn with water as evenly as
possible. Most homeowners do not understand how to design a good sprinkler
irrigation system. If you are going to design it yourself, make sure you learn
how to do it correctly and don’t just assume you know what you’re doing.
make sure your sprinkler system covers the entire lawn with water as evenly as
possible. Most homeowners do not understand how to design a good sprinkler
irrigation system. If you are going to design it yourself, make sure you learn
how to do it correctly and don’t just assume you know what you’re doing.
Any
weakness in the irrigation system will result in brown patches, dead spots in
the lawn and invasion by weeds.
weakness in the irrigation system will result in brown patches, dead spots in
the lawn and invasion by weeds.
Make
sure your sprinklers pop up high enough so they throw water from above the top
of the grass. For heaven’s sake do not use 2 inch pop-ups unless you have
bermudagrass. Do not trim around your 2 inch pop-ups because they are too low
or you definitely will see weed invasion in the lawn.
sure your sprinklers pop up high enough so they throw water from above the top
of the grass. For heaven’s sake do not use 2 inch pop-ups unless you have
bermudagrass. Do not trim around your 2 inch pop-ups because they are too low
or you definitely will see weed invasion in the lawn.