Pansies are a Sign of Weeds to Come
By Ken Lain, The Garden Guy

I like to read the plants in my landscape and let them tell me when spring is coming, how often to water and when to feed. Well my pansies have doubled in size and set many new flowers and are looking great right now. Let me tell you, I'm feeling the pressure. When these early spring bloomers are happy that means the entire landscape is soon to awaken. You need to finish pruning and cutting back perennials ASAP. This also goes for spreading wildflower seed, and spraying that dormant oil over the buggy spots in the landscape, and putting weed preventer down right away.

If the storms over the past few months have you feeling a little blue now is a great time to plant some of these early spring bloomers for yourself. The garden center is loaded with pansies and their wild cousins the viola, English Primrose and many of the early blooming perennials that are ready to plant and start multiplying in your own landscape.

If the desert is any indications not only are the wildflowers going to be spectacular this spring, but the weeds will be impressive as well. I notice the dandelion have already started their spring migration into my landscape and they are only the start of a weedy wave that will turn the landscape into a jungle unless action is taken in the next 2-3 weeks.

Weeds pose a difficult challenge because, if ignored, weeds win. The good news is most our native weeds are annuals. That is, they come back from seed each year instead of the roots like a perennial. This means if you keep the seed from germinating in spring weeds like foxtail, dandelion, thistles and goat head can be greatly reduced or stopped altogether. Here again the best defense is a strong offense; and weed preventers are a great way to kill those seed that otherwise would germinate and flourish into an unsightly crop of weeds.

A good weed preventer keeps weed seed from germinating, but does not affect established plants. This means you can spread them right around the base of a tree or your prized roses and the established plant will not be harmed. Unfortunately, this also means weeds that are already up and growing are not affected as well. You need to use weed preventers before the seed ever germinates and send their tap root into the earth.

There are many weed preventers on the market today and you need to choose wisely which one is right for your landscape. Avoid the soil killing type of weed preventers; they are extremely dangerous to use anywhere close to established plant life. I’ve had several customers use these soil killers under or near trees, only to have the tree die that same year. Weed preventers should prevent seed from germinating, but still allow you to plant immediately into the treated soil. If in doubt, this is a good time to ask for advice from one of the nursery professionals working at the garden center.

I've used many weed preventers over the years and the most effective against our native weeds has to be 'Weed & Grass Stopper' by Hi-Yield brand. This is a dry product that is spread just like a dry plant food. The best time to apply is just before a good storm. The rain will force the weed stopper deep into the soil. If there is no rain in sight within the next month go ahead and water it in manually with a hose or sprinkler.

For those of you that have children or pets I always apply and then water in immediately so the weed preventer washes into the soil right away. I try to keep the kids and animals out of the area until the area is dry. I have used this same product for many years and never had a bird, child or pet damaged by using this common sense approach to weed preventers.

The average yard will use about 2-3 bags of this product. However, each bag is worth its weight in sweat come summer. Spend the energy and money now to prevent weeds and this summer you’ll be able to sit back and relax while thinking to yourself what a genius that garden guy was. What was his name again?

I would love your thoughts, concerns or questions about this garden column or future topics to cover by submitting them to Watters Garden Center, 1815 Irons Springs Road, Prescott, AZ 86305, or simply ask a question by logging onto my web site at www.wattersonline.com and click the ask a question link on the left. Each comment is delivered directly from your desk top to mine.

Until next week, I’ll see you in the garden center.

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