Homeowners have a Host of Options in Controlling Weeds
June 02 2004 - 5:20AM
PR Newswire (US)
Homeowners have a Host of Options in Controlling Weeds Avoid a "one
size fits all" approach; Use the proper tool for the job
MARYSVILLE, Ohio, June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Weekend warriors fighting
the war on weeds should look at the job like any other household
task -- you need the right tool to succeed. Controlling weeds
sometimes calls for treating the entire lawn, other times it means
treating the weeds one at a time, or perhaps even pulling them by
hand. One thing is for certain, however, a weedy lawn is more than
just an eyesore. The environmental benefits of healthy turf are
diminished if weeds take over the lawn. Weeds steal precious water
and other nutrients from the grass, which could cause lawns to
become thin and lead to run-off and erosion that could pollute
waterways. "Healthy turf is a natural filter for the environment
and also traps and breaks down pollutants," said Bruce Augustin,
PhD., an agronomist with The Scotts Company. "However, few people
realize that controlling weeds is about more than aesthetics.
Controlling weeds is also about maximizing the environmental
benefit of the lawn ecosystem." While controlling weeds is
important, doing so with the right tool is essential. Consumers
should not take a "one size fits all" approach to weed control.
Rather, they should determine the extent of the problem and act
accordingly. In lawns that are overrun by weeds, using a product
like Scotts Turf Builder(R) with Plus 2(R) is the best solution.
The active ingredient in the product will eliminate weeds
throughout the entire lawn. When using a broadcast application like
Turf Builder with Plus 2, homeowners should make sure they are
using the correct setting on their spreader and sweep granules off
hard surfaces and back onto the lawn. If a lawn has only a few
weeds, then a spot treatment makes more sense. In that case, a
product such as Ortho Weed B Gon Ready-to-Use(R) offers consumers
with the best solution. In most cases, a ready-to-use product is
the best choice so that consumers won't mix more product than they
actually need. Sometimes, pulling weeds by hands may be the fastest
and easiest solution - especially in flower beds or gardens where
there are few weeds and the ground is soft. For this method to be
effective, however, it is essential that the entire root system be
removed. Dandelions and other weeds can return quickly if the root
is left in place. Whichever product is best suited for the job,
homeowners should use them in a responsible way and follow label
instructions. For example, fertilizers should always be swept off
of hard surfaces and back onto the lawn and control products should
be used in the proper dosages. Homeowners also should dispose of
excess products responsibly, not by pouring it into the street or
dumping it into storm sewers. "Taking care of the environment is
everybody's business and using lawn and garden products in a
responsible way is something that should be important to every
homeowner," said Chris Schmenk, director of Environmental
Stewardship at Scotts. "Some homeowners take a 'more is better'
approach when using a control product, but that is actually the
wrong approach. Treating your entire lawn for weeds when you only
have a few weeds doesn't make sense. Using control products or
fertilizers are a lot like ingredients in a recipe - use the amount
that is suggested, not more." Of course, one of the most effective
weed control methods is to prevent them from occurring at all.
Creating a thick, lush lawn that is well maintained will crowd out
the weeds and make yard work a lot easier. "Lawns are like any
other living organism, they need to be fed on a regular basis to
grow and prosper," Augustin said. "That's why feeding your lawn
several times a year makes sense. If homeowners create a thick,
lush lawn weed problems often take care of themselves." Dedicated
to a Beautiful World The Scotts Company is the world's largest
marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care,
with a full range of products for professional horticulture as
well. The Company owns the industry's most recognized brands. In
the U.S., the Company's Scotts(R), Miracle-Gro(R) and Ortho(R)
brands are market leading in their categories, as is the consumer
Roundup(R) brand which is marketed in North America and most of
Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In Europe,
Scotts' brands include Weedol(R), Pathclear(R), Evergreen(R),
Levington(R), Miracle-Gro(R), KB(R), Fertiligene(R) and
Substral(R). DATASOURCE: The Scotts Company CONTACT: Jim King of
The Scotts Company, +1-937-578-5622, or Web site:
http://www.scotts.com/
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