Q. Last year my lawn was full of weeds. What
should I use to keep this from happening again?
A.Consider using a pre-emergent weed and grass control, like Southern States Premium Crabgrass Control or Southern States Premium Early Spring Lawn Food with Crabgrass Control. Applied once in the spring, it attacks annual weeds before they appear above ground.
A post-emergent weed control, such as Southern States Premium Broadleaf Lawn Weed Control, can be applied anytime during the growing season. It attacks the young weed plants before they can overrun your lawn.
Q. What could be causing the brown patches
in my lawn? Should I be concerned if my lawn looks
discolored or rusty?
A. It sounds like your lawn is a victim of disease caused by fungi that live in the soil. The best defense against disease is a good offense – plant disease resistant grass varieties, water properly and mow at the correct height. Here’s a description of common lawn diseases:
Dollar Spot: Jun.-Sept. Round straw-colored spots ranging in size from a quarter to a silver dollar. Spots may run together to form large dead areas.
Leaf Spot: Apr.- Oct. Oblong brown leaf spots with dark red or purple borders. Causes a yellowish cast to turf. Generally does not occur in patches.
Brown Patch: Jul.- Aug. Rough circular brown patches up to several feet across. May cause bare spots in affected areas.
Powdery Mildew: Jul.- Oct. White powdery growth on leaves. Appears "frosted". Infected leaves yellow and die.
Rusts: Jul.- Oct. Small orange spots on leaf blade develops into a complete reddish discoloration. Affected plants die.
Red Thread: May- Oct. Pink/red thread-like growth at ends of leaves. Leaves turn brown and die.
If your lawn suffers any of these symptoms, ask your Southern States lawn expert for solutions.
Q. I pulled up some dead grass in my yard
and discovered white bugs in the soil. What are
they? How do I get rid of them?
A. They could be grubs (various larva of beetles) feeding on the roots of your grass. To control them and other insects, use a lawn insecticide such as Sevin, Grub Control with Dylox or Bonide Ant, Flea & Tick Killer. Apply during late summer and early fall. To discourage surface-feeding insects, water your lawn adequately. Also, choose insect-resistant grass varieties when seeding.
Apply February–March
Premium Crabgrass Preventer
With Dimension®
- Contains Dimension for pre and postemergent control of crabgrass
- Contains iron for deeper green color
- 1 application controls crabgrass all season long
- Stops crabgrass before it starts in established lawns
5,000 sq. ft. coverage, #102-05859
15,000 sq. ft. coverage, #102-05858
Apply March–May
Premium Broadleaf Weed
Control With Trimec®
- Contains Trimec weed control
- Controls 190 broadleaf weeds in home lawns
- Fewer weeds mean a more luxurious
lawn
5,000 sq. ft. coverage, #102-05328
15,000 sq. ft. coverage, #102-05857
Trimec® is a registered trademark of PBI/Gordon Corporation.
Dimension® is a registered trademark of Dow AgroSciences, LLC.
Common Lawn Destroying Insects
Grubs: Various larvae of beetles feed on the grass roots. Generally white, C-shaped, with brown heads and three pairs of legs near the head end.
Lawn Symptoms: Large dead patches can easily be pulled up in sheets and grubs can be seen in the soil.
Chinch Bugs: Small black bugs with white wings and red legs.
Lawn Symptoms: Brown dead patches in sunny areas of lawn. To test for chinch bugs, take an empty coffee can, cut out both ends and plant it in the soil about 2 inches deep. Fill the can with water. If present, chinch bugs will float to the surface in about 5 minutes.
Sod Webworms: Larva of moths, either brown or gray, 3/4 inch long eat the grass blades. They do most of their feeding at night.
Lawn Symptoms: Brown spots with an irregular shape. If unchecked, spots may run together to form large brown patches.
Billbugs: Dark gray to black with prominent snout.
Lawn Symptoms: Most often found in bluegrass. Larvae tunnel inside the grass stems to reach the roots, killing the grass in defined patches.
