Rushville Republican

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September 17, 2012

2012 an unusual year for plants

Extension office offers advice

Rushville Republican

RUSHVILLE — 2012 will most likely go down in history as a very unusual year. It is so unusual that it has our flowers, shrubs, and trees confused! Many of our plants are acting like it is spring in September. We have lost several of our plants during the hot, dry summer and unfortunately, we will be seeing the effects of the weather this year for a long time.

Now is the time we can help our lawns, according to Will Schakel of the Rush County Extension Office. This is an excellent time to prepare our lawns for winter and to get them off to a good start next spring. Apply one lb. of nitrogen for each 1000 square feet of lawn. This will help assure that you have a healthy, vigorous lawn going into the winter and the grass will be ready to take off next spring. An additional application of 1.5 lbs. of N/1000 sq. ft. in late November will show huge benefits next spring.

September/October is also the best time to control dandelions and other broadleaf weeds for next year. By spraying with 2-4-D now, the plants will readily absorb the chemicals as they are preparing themselves for winter.

By controlling the weeds now and having a healthy, vigorous grass, your lawn will thicken up next spring and crowd out many of the undesirable summer weeds, such as crabgrass. Additional information concerning your flowers, lawns, etc., may be obtained from the Rush County Extension Office, located in room 103 of the Rush County Courthouse, or at 765-932-5974, or e-mail wschakel@purdue.edu with your questions.

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