Beaver Creek Nursery 812-689-5595 NEWSLETTER MAY 2013 So..Is it Spring or Is it not Spring? In This Issue Weed ID - Doing This... Quick Links... Email Us Landscape Photos
More About Us View Our Past Newsletters Well... I too am a bit confused as to weather ( spelling and pun intended) or not "Spring" is actually here yet. According to the "powers to be", we are now experiencing the second coldest start to Spring in recorded history; second only to the Spring of 1975. And, for all the "worry warts" out there, and if my memory serves me correctly, the winter of 1975-76 was the year of the Blizzard!!!! So...you may want to raid the grocery store come this late fall just to be safe. As for right now in the present however, there is a lot of stuff to get into this Newsletter this month so let's get right to it! First and foremost, If you are curious about what to do for your landscape during the month of May just follow this link to an earlier Newsletter by clicking here. Plus, don't forget that the lilacs are blooming so it's time to put down that post emergent weed killer on your lawn. Remember, as I mentioned previously, we have the 15-0-5 with Viper here for sale for a one two punch of both fertilizer and post emergent broad leaf weed killer. Now, on with some "new" good stuff!! Sneak Peek for our Newsletter readers
Mother's Day Weekend Sale Fri, Sat, Sun May 10th, 11th and 12th 20 % OFF all trees and shrubs This offer does not apply to any landscape designs done by Beaver Creek staff. Doing This
Will NOT get rid of the weeds in your lawn but knowing which ones you actually have may make it easier to control them. The following is your key to identifying those weeds that may be plaguing your spring lawn. And remember, mowing your grass at 2 1/2-3" is going to not only keep your lawn healthier but also eliminate most of your weed problems. So... On with the Show!
Henbit
Purple Deadnettle Henbit and Purple Deadnettle are both "annual weeds" and are very similar in appearance. Being annual weeds they usually will germinate in the fall, show up during the cool spring, disperse their seeds and then die off in hopes that their offspring will continue their lineage again in the fall. They both have square stems and show up in damp, shady areas. The major difference between the two in identification is that Henbit has a more rounded leaf that is directly attached to the main stem of the plant. The Deadnettle has a more pointed leaf and has a small "petiole" or stem at the base of the leaf attaching it to the main part of the plant. So, if you have either of these showing up in your Spring lawn remember...they are annuals and will die off when the weather warms up. But, Beware...without a Fall treatment of preemergent they are going to grace your lawn again next spring.
Ground Ivy...aka. Creeping Charlie Ground ivy is a perennial weed meaning it keeps coming back each year and if you do not somehow remove it from your lawn you will be host to an entire "clan" of ivy. Because Ground Ivy also has a square stem it is often mistakenly identified as Henbit or Purple Deadnettle. The leaves of the Ivy however are more rounded and serrated with strong veins and petioles (stems). The stems are also what one would call "creeping or trailing stems" that root at nodes. Ground Ivy also has a distinctive mint like odor when it is mowed. And, because it has a blue to violet flower it is also often mistaken for...
Common Blue Violet However, if you look a bit closer one can see a major difference in both the texture and distinctive heart-shape of the Violet leaf. And, America's "favorite" weed...
Dandelion The dandelion. Not much to say about recognizing this colorful and distinctive weed that brightens up an otherwise "plain old, well manicured and beautiful weed free lawn" in the spring. Personally, I enjoy the contrast or at least that is my story and I am sticking to it! However, if you are wanting that beautiful weed free lawn you need to get rid of this weed before it gets it's puffy white seed head that disperses hundreds of new dandelions with even the gentlest spring breeze. This weed also has a very, very deep tap root which is hard to pull out without breaking it off. And if you do "break it off" instead of removing it entirely, you are likely to be re-visited by that same dandelion in a few short weeks. There is however, a couple of redeeming qualities to be mentioned about the dandelion. The leaves have been used for centuries to make a fine garden salad or for the more adventurous...try your hand at Dandelion Wine!...hmmmmm...now we're talkin'! However... If your yard happens to look like this
Call a Realtor! (haha)
Common Chickweed Common Chickweed is another annual weed like the Henbit and Deadnettle above. However, there is another variety called Mousear (mouse ear) Chickweed that is a perennial. They are both "prostrate" meaning they are low growing and run along the ground but the Mousear leaves are fuzzy and rounded like a mouse ear as opposed to the leaves in the above photo. Common Chickweed has rows of hair along its stem whereas the Mousear variety has it's leaves and stems densely covered in "hair". Both have a 5 petal white flower which is so deeply lobed that it appears to be 10 petals instead of 5.
Red Clover Red clover is usually seen in fields as it is often planted in combination with other livestock forage plants. Because of this it also often "escapes" to find itself nestled quietly in your lawn. It is easily recognizable due to its pink to red flower and long oval to elliptical shaped leaves. It is fuzzy or hair like on one or both sides of the leaves. And, the Red Clover is easily distinguished from the more common yard variety of
White Clover Ahhh...White Clover...The "weed" that legends have grown up around. This is the weed with the leaf of "Good Fortune". This is the weed with the leaf of the Shamrock. It is said that St. Patrick used the White Clover leaf to teach pagans about Christianity. The three leaves, he would say, represented the Holy Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The fourth leaf, occurring 1 in every 100,000, was the symbol of God's Grace. The Celtic priests ( Druids ) were known to carry the white clover to ward off evil spirits. So...you might want to reconsider whether or not this particular plant growing in your lawn is actually a "weed" to remove. You might even want to take the kids or grand kids outside and all kinda hunker down around the White Clover patches because with a keen eye... you know... you just may be able to spot that "Lucky Charm"!
A Closing Thought In order to succeed, your desire for success must be greater than your fear of failure....bill Cosby
Beaver Creek Nursery Southeastern Indiana's Largest & Most Unique Nursery 812-689-5595