A few weeks ago I wrote about winterizing your lawn.  Something else that is important is to use a preemergent weed killer.  Remember those terrible stickers that you had growing in your yard?  Well this is the time to take of business.  I’m going to talk about 3 different chemicals that do the trick.

First is Atrazine.  Atrazine is used on St. Augustine and Centipede grass.  It is not labeled for Bermuda.  The rate is 4.3oz. per gallon of water.  Spray now and again in late February.  This is to take care of those awful stickers and help with the control of crabgrass.  It is really important to spray twice.  Also be sure to add a little surfactant with the mixture.

Second is Prodiamine.  You can use not only on St Augustine and Centipede, but also on Bermuda.  Mix 1 1/2 level Tablespoon per gallon of water and spray away.  Prodiamine does not come in small containers so it is quite expensive but is a very good product.

Third is Ike’s Sandbur and crabgrass preventer.  It contains pendimnethalin.  One quart will make up to 29 gallons of spray.  As with the Atrazine and Prodiamine, you need to spray in October and again in February.  Your kids and grandkids will be happy not to have those stickers in the yard.  

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at  mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)