<font color=red>QUICK TIPS</font> Broadleaf Weed Control Methods

Prevention is always the best method when it comes to controlling weeds. The most effective way to control them is a dense, vigorous turf. Any practice that helps produce thick turf discourages weeds. Chemical herbicides are available as supplements to good management for controlling problem weeds. Herbicides only aid cultural methods.

For control of broadleaf weeds postemerge (after the weeds are up), use phenoxy herbicides. The phenoxy herbicides include 2,4-D, dicamba, dichlorprop, mecoprop and various combinations of these.
  
They are for broadleaf weed control and have very little effect on most grasses. However, you should not use phenoxy herbicides on your warm-season lawn during the spring green-up period because injury to your lawn may occur. Use extreme caution to avoid spray drift when applying a phenoxy herbicide. Plants such as tomatoes, okra, roses and many shrubs may be injured or killed from drift of these herbicides.

For the most effective weed control, phenoxy herbicides should be applied when the weeds are small — two- to four-leaf stage — and there is good soil moisture. Also, the temperature should be between 60-90 degrees for eight to ten hours for all phenoxy herbicide applications. Apply the herbicide when there is no rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours.

Some of the hard to control weeds such as henbit may require two applications. Use a higher rate on wild garlic than you would use on the other broadleaf weeds. Using 2,4-D in combination with dichlorprop or mecoprop and dicamba on most annual and perennial broadleaf weeds does a better job than 2,4-D alone.

--Mark Keaton, staff chair for Baxter County at University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.