January and February are the perfect months for pruning your Roses!

Proper pruning is extremely important to help train and shape roses for maximum growth and blooming. The goal of proper pruning is to remove old, weak, or diseased wood, and to encourage the growth of strong, healthy new branches.

The first step in proper pruning is to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood. This can include any branches that are dry, brown, or have any signs of disease or pests. It’s also important to remove any branches that are crossing over or rubbing against each other, as this can cause damage to the plant.

Next, it’s important to remove any branches that are growing too close to the center of the plant, as this can cause the plant to become too crowded and stunt its growth. Instead, select the strongest and most vigorous branches to keep, and remove any that are weaker.

After removing the unwanted branches, it’s time to shape the plant. This is done by cutting back the remaining branches to a length that will encourage new growth. The length at which the branches are cut back will depend on the type of rose, but generally it’s recommended to cut back to a bud or a leaf.

It’s important to note that proper pruning should only be done during the dormant season, usually in late winter or early spring, when the plant is not actively growing. This will minimize the stress on the plant and ensure that it will recover quickly from pruning.

Proper pruning is a critical step in maintaining the health and beauty of your roses. By regularly pruning your plants, you can help them to grow strong and healthy, with plenty of blooms. With proper care, your roses will thrive for many years to come.

Pre-emergent herbicides are a type of chemical treatment used to prevent the germination of weeds before they become visible in a lawn or garden bed. Early season pre-emergent is an essential part of lawn and bed maintenance and is typically applied in the spring when soil temperatures reach a certain level, signaling that weed seeds are starting to germinate. Be aware that pre-emergents cannot differentiate between broadleaf weed seeds and grass seeds, so if you plan on doing early season overseeing on a lawn, pre-emergents CANNOT be used or the grass seed will not germinate.

Why Use Pre-Emergent Herbicides?

Weeds can quickly overtake lawns and garden beds, making them look unsightly and preventing desired plants from growing. They can also take away valuable water, nutrients, and sunlight from other plants. By using pre-emergent herbicides, you can help stop weeds from germinating, thus preventing them from becoming a problem in your lawn or garden. Most pre-emergent applications can last up to 30-45 days, although some “claim” up to 3 months of protection.

Types of Pre-Emergent Herbicides

There are several types of pre-emergent herbicides available, including corn gluten meal, which is a natural and organic alternative. Chemical-based pre-emergent herbicides include those that contain active ingredients such as:

• Prodiamine
• Dithiopyr
• Pendimethalin

Each active ingredient has different properties, so it is essential to choose the right pre-emergent herbicide for your specific needs. When selecting a pre-emergent herbicide, consider the types of weeds you want to control, the type of plants you have in your lawn or garden bed, and any regulations regarding herbicide use in your area. It is best to have professionals apply these products, if you’re unsure of how to properly apply these on your own.

When to Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides

The timing of pre-emergent herbicide application is crucial for its effectiveness. Most herbicides are applied in the spring when soil temperatures reach a certain level, usually between 55°F to 65°F, which is the ideal temperature range for weed seed germination.

To determine the right time to apply pre-emergent herbicides, you can use a soil thermometer to measure the soil temperature at a depth of 2-3 inches. If the soil temperature is within the ideal range, you can apply the herbicide.

How to Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides

Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied using a granular or liquid form. For best results, use a fertilizer spreader or a sprayer to apply the herbicide evenly over the entire lawn or garden bed.

When applying a granular pre-emergent herbicide, be sure to spread it evenly over the area and water it in thoroughly. For liquid herbicides, follow the instructions on the label, making sure to apply the correct amount and to water the area after application.

Conclusion

Early season pre-emergent herbicides are a crucial part of lawn and garden bed maintenance. They help to prevent weed growth, which can take away valuable resources from other plants. When choosing and applying a pre-emergent herbicide, be sure to consider the type of weeds you want to control, the types of plants you have, and the timing of the application.

Winter dormant grasses in lawns is a common phenomenon that occurs in many lawns throughout the world. It is the period when grasses become less active, stop growing, and go into a state of semi-dormancy.

Grasses are known for their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, and winter dormancy is one such adaptation that helps them to survive during the harsh winter months. In areas with cold winter climates, grasses stop growing when temperatures fall below a certain threshold. This is because low temperatures and short daylight hours limit the amount of energy that grasses can produce through photosynthesis.

During the winter dormant period, grasses conserve energy and nutrients, preparing for the upcoming growing season. Although some grasses may look dead and yellow/brown (such as Bermuda Grass, a common nuisance grass in Northern California), it is actually alive and still capable of regrowth once the weather warms up.

The length of the winter dormant period can vary depending on the type of grass, the climate, and other factors such as soil moisture. Cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, typically go dormant in the winter and start growing again in the spring. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass and zoysia grass, become dormant in the winter and start growing again in the summer.

Maintaining a winter dormant lawn requires little to no maintenance, allowing homeowners to take a break from mowing, fertilizing, and watering (lawns can still get drought stressed in winter if rain is not available for long periods of time). However, it is important to avoid heavy foot traffic on the lawn during this period to avoid damaging the grass roots, especially if there is frost on the lawns in the mornings.

If you have a winter dormant lawn, it is best to wait until the grass is ready to start growing again before applying fertilizer or other treatments. You can also use this time to prepare for the upcoming growing season by checking the soil pH and making any necessary adjustments, repairing any damage to the lawn, and considering any changes you would like to make to the landscape.

In conclusion, winter dormant grasses in lawns is a natural process that helps the grass to conserve energy and nutrients during the harsh winter months. By understanding this process and taking steps to prepare for the upcoming growing season, homeowners can maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn for years to come, as well as having the knowledge of why some areas may look worse than others during winter.