If you ’re growing a lawn in northern Alabama , you will inevitably look weeds . Which weeds trespass , if they have serious problems and how best to deal with them will depend on factors related to grass pick and lawn sustentation practice . If possible , think about pot before you set up a lawn . Preventing weeds is often easier than removing them once they appear in your turf .
Geography and Climate
Northern Alabama is geographically diverse , with four physiographic regions in the northern third of the DoS : the Highland Rim , the Cumberland Plateau , Valley and Ridge and the East Gulf Coastal Plain . These areas are in U.S. Department of Agriculture works hardiness zone 7a and 7b , in the transition zona for sward grasses . According to the U.S. National Arboretum , the transition zone is the most difficult place to grow turf grasses . So , the area will support diverse Mary Jane species to compete with grasses that are not well adapted to the climate .
Identification
As of 2011 , the Alabama Cooperative Extension System lists 126 weeds in its Weed Identification database , many of them find in domicile lawns . In northerly Alabama typical lawn widow’s weeds let in grassy weed , such as annual bluegrass and crabgrass , and broadleaf weeds , such as clovers , dandelion and Musa paradisiaca .
Weeds and New Lawns
To trim the likelihood of weed competition in northern Alabama , take time to prepare your site and engraft the appropriate pasturage varieties . The Alabama Cooperative Extension System recommends manually removing Bermuda eatage and nut grass from lawn sites . utilize herbicide on other weeds before seeding or set sodomist . Put down pine stalk mulch on newly seed areas , rather than straws that may contain weed seeds .
As for variety , Auburn University lists Bermuda , meadow fescue and zoysia as appropriate choices for northerly Alabama . Fescue ’s bunching growth habit does not vie as well with weeds , but the spreading warm - time of year Bermuda and zoysia grass will have a shorter than ideal growing season in northern Alabama .
pass judgment the available sun ; sens quickly obtrude upon shady areas . The Alabama Cooperative Extension System warns that Bermuda pasturage requires eight hours of dribble or direct Sunday a sidereal day ; zoysia grass needs six hours of sun , and even shade - resistant meadow fescue require at least four hours of sun .
Existing Lawns
The ripe sess bar strategy in northerly Alabama is a goodly , established lawn . Mowing stature is a vital factor in keeping gage from use up over , advises the Alabama Cooperative Extension System . Both letting grasses spring up too tall and mow them too short can sabotage your lawn and encourage weeds . right mowing height depends on your green goddess variety . Keep Bermuda sens at 1 to 1 1/2 inches , zoysia at 1 to 2 inches and fescues at 2 to 3 inch .
Although you may be concerned in controlling weed for esthetic reason , weed restraint may also help oneself you conserve water supply , note the Alabama Cooperative Extension System . Weeds compete with grasses for water in your northern Alabama lawn .
Solution
Control perennial broadleaf locoweed , such as blowball and plantain , with periodic usance of broadleaf herbicide , as need , from April through December , suggest the Alabama Cooperative Extension System . For annual smoke , employ pre - emerging herbicides . go for pre - emergents in February for summer annual , such as crab grass , and in September for winter annual , such as chickweeds .
