Page 135 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

Parallel Vein

Net-like
Vein

DICOT

First true
leaves
MONOCOT

2 Cotyledon
leaves

Drawing’s by Andrew Schaible
Broadleaf Grasslike

2 Cotyledon leaves emerge Single Cotyledon leaf emerges

CONTROL WEEDS AT TIME OF PLANTING
by Gary King, Ph.D.
It is crucial to use plants, soil amendments, and equipment that are free of weeds and their seeds, rhizomes,
stolons, tubers, fleshy roots, etc. Make sure to clean your equipment when coming from infested sites.

Select plants that are well adapted to the region. Plant them at the optimum time of year and with proper water
and fertilizer, so they establish rapidly, fill in, and exclude weeds from the area.

Avoid unnecessary soil turning and movement that stirs up new weed seeds. Use soil mulches (weed barrier
fabrics, plastic sheeting, decorative bark, etc.) to cover the soil, denying the weed seeds the light that they need
for germination, and exclude new weed growth before it starts.

In addition to mulches, you may consider using a pre-emergent herbicide. Select the proper herbicide according
to the crop, weed types, time of year, herbicide label instructions, soil type and any other pertinent factors. Apply
the pre-emergent soon after planting, once irrigation settles the soil. This will establish a chemical barrier at the
soil surface to stop weed seed emergence.

Do not apply pre-emergent herbicide to freshly seeded or sodded lawns, newly hydro-seeded areas, or other
sensitive areas.

Use extra caution with smaller plant material, as some herbicides may penetrate the soil further than the root
system, where they may kill or stunt the desired plants or prevent their rooting in the soil. You may need to wait
and weed by hand before any herbicide may safely be applied. Follow all label directions on the herbicide.

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