Happy New Year from DLC Resources!

Now that we are squarely in the coldest part of the year, we are moving forward with several mid-winter projects. We overseeded your turf this year and are fertilizing the winter Ryegrass monthly to protect it from the cold weather, as well as adding more seed and mulch in certain areas as needed. Seasonal pruning continues, in which we trim select plants to about half their size. This practice is important for promoting natural regrowth and optimum blooming during the spring and summer months. The end result is that you can enjoy the beauty of your flowering plants while keeping them at a reasonable size. We are keeping an eye on your sightlines, trimming back visual obstructions at intersections as needed. Our spray technicians have finished applying pre-emergent herbicide to your non-turf areas and are continuing to monitor these areas to prevent the germination of weeds in the spring. We shut off your irrigation drip for the winter so look forward to some water savings.

DLC thanks you for a great 2016 and we wish you the best in 2017!

It’s frost season

While this winter has been relatively warm, the danger of frost is still here in the Valley. To protect your frost-susceptible plants, cover them with cloth towels, blankets, sheets or paper/cardboard boxes to insulate them. Plastic is not recommended for plant cover. Drape the paper or cloth all the way to the ground to help trap heat radiating from the ground. Be sure to remove the cover after the sunrise each morning or when the temperature reaches 35 degrees.

Plants that are not native to the Southwest are most at risk for frost damage. These plants include Bougainvillea, Lantana, winter annuals and others. For cacti such as Mexican Fencepost, covering the tops of the posts with an old t-shirt, foam cup or wash cloth can help prevent frost damage.

For more frost prevention tips, visit the DLC Learning Center and search for “winter.”

Weed Control

Soaking rains bring much needed water to our desert environment. While the rain is a positive thing for our plants and water bills, it also helps weeds grow. For weed control in your yard, manual removal is the easiest way to get rid of a small number of weeds. But in order to control weeds over a large area, herbicides are the most efficient tools available.

Post-emergent for winter weeds

Post-emergent herbicides kill weeds that have germinated and are visible in the landscape. To kill weeds in winter months, you need to use a herbicide containing Diquat. Spectracide products, which contain Diquat, are available for personal use at most home improvement stores or nurseries.

Pre-emergent herbicides

Pre-emergent herbicides are designed to prevent seeds from germinating in the soil. When choosing a pre-emergent, find a product that contains Trifluralin or Oryzalin. Do note that these products are most effective when applied during the rainy season. In Arizona, that means either before the summer monsoon in June and July or before winter rains comes in October through January. A timely application of pre-emergent can greatly reduce the number of weeds that germinate since it inhibits the weeds’ roots and does not allow them to grow.