26 October 2021
DON'T GROW WEEDS
For the gardener who prefers to hibernate in colder months,
applying groundcover is both a functional and aesthetically
pleasing step to winterize a garden plot. Groundcover
discourages weed growth and provides natural organic matter
to enrich soil. Thomson noted ryegrass, a nitrogen powerhouse,
and white clover as regional favorites.
If a green lawn is the goal for winter, October is a good time for
an all-over application of ryegrass, but exercise restraint. While
winter grasses die back in summer, their roots will continue to
sneakily leach nutrients and water needed by permanent grass.
To ward off pesky weeds like crabgrass and poa annua (say it
like this: poe-uh-anna), apply a pre-emergent herbicide. Bell's
sells a lot of Balan (sounds like: bay-lan), which is a granular
pre-emergent that will not kill what is currently growing, but
will prevent germination of weeds on warm winter days. Mid-
September to mid-October should be the first application, with
a second in February to mid-March.
Family-owned Bell's Seed Store on Russell Street offers a variety of festive fall accessories, from this whimsical mouse peeking out of a
pumpkin to beautiful pumpkin-bedecked welcome signs like the one below.
