ElGuapo
enthusiast
Posts: 636
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 03-18-02
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02-09-08 12:29 PM - Post#36994
My yard is covered with henbit. How do I get rid of it? There's too much to weed by hand.
I know it will die back in the summer, but I don't want it growing now either.
Edited by ElGuapo on 02-09-08 04:19 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Mvpo
enthusiast
Posts: 285
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 06-21-02
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02-09-08 01:43 PM - Post#36997
In response to ElGuapo
Good Luck to you. We weeded henbit our first year by hand. That slowed it a little. However the seeds are microscopic and copious. Did you put down a preventative this past fall?
I just enjoy the purple flowers now and let the bees enjoy them also.
I wonder what henbit honey would taste like?
M
| "Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. SHE JUST DID IT BACKWARDS AND IN HIGH HEELS." Former Texas Governor Ann Richards. |
Edited by Mvpo on 02-09-08 01:43 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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ElGuapo
enthusiast
Posts: 636
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 03-18-02
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02-09-08 04:21 PM - Post#37009
In response to Mvpo
MVPO, I like your pragmatic approach. I may have to try that. I did lay down copious amounts of pre-emergent in October around Halloween and November around Thanksgiving.
Edited by ElGuapo on 02-09-08 04:22 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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orangecat
member
Posts: 40
Reg: 04-08-07
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02-09-08 04:48 PM - Post#37012
In response to ElGuapo
El Guapo, if you have bermuda, you can just use a broadleaf (post emergent) granular killer. If you have a different grass, spray topically only at the source with a total glyphosate, such as Round-Up. This can be as laborious as hand pulling, though.
Year before last I was out of town so much and finally gave up and surrendered to Chemlawn. I have been really pleased, but I think now I can let them go, and once again take control of my lawn chemicals. They did a great job, though.
There is something endearing about henbit and the little purple flowers.
orangecat
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denisew
enthusiast
Posts: 4673
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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02-09-08 09:03 PM - Post#37019
In response to orangecat
Mow it before it sets seed and bag it, rather than mulching it. Then try a post emergent. That way you are also getting rid of future seeds (or at least a good part of them) before they spread to make more next year. Right now is a good time to put another dose of pre-emergent down for those spring and summer weeds.
As far as what I do with henbit is what MVPO did - pull them a little at a time. It was hard keeping it under control along our fence since the neighbor who used to live there didn't do much to control their weeds and they spread under the fence. It seemed I was always stooping by the fence pulling weeds! It is better this year with the new neighbors who are there now.
Now, if you are driving out in the country and come across a field of henbit, it sure is pretty to see that lavender haze covering a field!
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cmlucas
enthusiast
Posts: 295
Age: 48
Loc: Lucas, TX
Reg: 08-14-05
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02-10-08 08:18 AM - Post#37025
In response to ElGuapo
For those of you that do not know what henbit is:
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/lamam.htm
I'm lucky enough to have acreage and I enjoy looking out at a field of purple.
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Stogiez
enthusiast
Posts: 392
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 04-10-02
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02-12-08 07:34 AM - Post#37151
In response to ElGuapo
(Assuming you are not an organic gardener) Any good brand name of broadleaf weedkiller should take care of the henbit. Use it in either a hose end sprayer (some brands sell it in a hose end sprayer already), or pump sprayer.
I disagree with the mowing part, simply because IMHO, you want the weed intact when you spray it. So you will know which areas to focus on first, and then spray the rest of the yard afterwards. Do it in the morning, when you know the day is going to be nice, (like this past weekend) and let the weed killer and the sun do their part.
Then instead of just fertilizer, use a Weed N Feed each time you fertilize.
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denisew
enthusiast
Posts: 4673
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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02-12-08 08:03 AM - Post#37152
In response to Stogiez
Be careful of the weed and feed because it can damage trees and shrubs.
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Stogiez
enthusiast
Posts: 392
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 04-10-02
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02-12-08 11:22 AM - Post#37171
In response to denisew
I agree with the weed n feed hurting flowers and small plantings (pansies, ornamental grasses, etc), but I've not had any problems with trees and shrubs being hurt by W&F.
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