Show #135 - April Lawn Care: Better Chemistry for Weeds, Lawns, and Spring Growth

Early April is one of the most important transition periods in the landscape. Weed prevention, shade seeding, grub control, and spring fertilization all come together now. This episode focuses on choosing stronger-performing lawn and garden products, correcting shade lawn issues, and maximizing spring color from trees and shrubs.

Better Chemistry: Choosing Products That Perform

This episode begins with a comparison of common lawn and garden products and why active ingredient strength matters.

Gallery vs. Preen

Gallery remains the clear winner for broadleaf weed prevention.

Benefits of Gallery:

• lasts 8–10 times longer
• non-toxic
• prevents 5 times more weeds
• safe for beds and lawn edges

For long-term prevention, Gallery offers significantly better value.

Better Alternatives to Round-Up

A common question is about Round-Up.

Key point:

Round-Up performs poorly in cool temperatures and becomes effective only when temperatures reach around 65°F or higher.

A stronger alternative is Fertilome Decimate.

Benefits:

• works down to 45°F
• faster contact kill
• ideal for non-lawn weeds
• stronger concentration than comparable products

For cool spring weather, this is a much better choice.

Better Broadleaf Weed Killer

For lawn weeds, Weed Free Zone remains the recommended option.

It offers stronger active ingredient concentration than comparable consumer products and can eliminate most spring broadleaf weeds quickly.

One Easy Lawn Program for Beginners

For homeowners wanting a simple all-in-one solution, this episode recommends Greenview Triple Play.

This combines:

• fertilizer
• weed control
• crabgrass prevention

Why it works:

• high-quality 65% slow-release fertilizer
• includes Dimension
• provides spring feeding and prevention in one application

Best applied with morning dew so the weed killer adheres properly.

Spring Fungus and Insect Prevention

A major spring task is cleaning up plant surfaces before pests and disease return.

The recommended modern spray program:

• 3 oz Monterey Take Down Spray
• 1 gallon warm water
• 5 oz Wilt-Pruf

This mix helps control:

• fungus spores
• overwintering insects
• plant surface infestations

Focus on plants with recurring issues:

• roses
• crabapple
• burning bush
• euonymus

This helps prevent reinfestation as new foliage emerges.

Lanternfly and Caterpillar Control

Spotted lanternfly concerns continue to be a major spring topic.

Recommended treatment:

• 3 oz Bifenthrin
• 1 gallon water
• 5 oz Wilt-Pruf

This provides up to five weeks of protection.

Also effective for:

• tent caterpillars
• general insect infestations
• tree nest infestations

Best spray times:

• early morning
• early evening

This is when insects are most concentrated.

For organic control, Spinosad + Wilt-Pruf is recommended.

Now Is the Best Time to Seed a Shady Lawn

Early April is one of the best times of the year to seed shady turf.

Why shade lawns seed better now:

• germinate at lower temperatures
• faster germination than sunny lawns
• fewer weed conflicts
• crabgrass pressure is low

Understanding Shade Levels

Sun is measured only between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Categories:

• light shade: 3+ hours
• medium shade: under 3 hours
• dense shade: 1–2 hours

This helps determine the proper seed blend.

Why Shade Soil Needs Top Dressing

A major point in this episode is that shade soils are almost always weaker than sunny soils.

Sunny lawns naturally build better soil through microbial activity.

Shade lawns do not.

This is why top dressing is strongly recommended.

Suggested depth:

• ⅓ to ½ inch soil builder

Combining:

• premium seed
• quality soil amendment
• fertilizer
• consistent watering

creates the best chance for success.

Watering Tip for New Seed

Water newly seeded shade lawns at 5 p.m. daily, not in the morning.

This helps retain moisture overnight for germination.

This Week’s Lawn & Garden Checklist

Weed Prevention

Apply Gallery over dry foliage and mulch

The goal is for granules to bounce off leaves and land on soil or mulch.

Kill Existing Weeds Fast

Use Weed Free Zone before weeds mature and drop seed.

Fix Lime-Green Lawn Patches

Lime-green areas may indicate:

• Poa annua
• Poa trivialis

Treat promptly with the recommended combination program.

Refresh Spring Flowers

For pansies and violas:

• remove dead blooms and foliage
• fertilize for continued flowering

Feed Spring Bulbs

If tulips, daffodils, and other bulbs are blooming now, fertilize immediately.

This helps:

• prolong this year’s blooms
• build next year’s flowers

Trim Now While There’s Time

Still safe to firmly prune:

• evergreens
• crepe myrtle
• spirea
• butterfly bush
• roses

Pinch Back Emerging Mums

When mums reach 1 inch of growth:

• pinch terminal tips
• encourage branching
• fertilize immediately

Pinching creates fuller fall plants.

Don’t Forget Your Mower

If gasoline sat all winter, it may have lost ignition strength.

Spring mower prep:

• replace stale fuel
• sharpen blades
• disconnect spark wire before service

Sharp blades make a major difference in lawn appearance.

Spring Tree Beauty Is Peaking

This episode closes with one of the best reminders of the season:

Spring flowering trees are at their peak.

In the Washington, DC metropolitan area area, this means a stunning progression of:

• flowering cherries
• redbuds
• dogwoods

Featured redbud varieties include:

• Forest Pansy
• Ruby Falls
• Flame Thrower
• Golden Falls
• Alley Cat

The key takeaway:

A great tree becomes great through fertilization and care.