Weed Control: How to Keep Your Lawns Bindii-Free
One of the things that makes a house a home are its perfectly manicured lawns. If you want to get that green lush carpet where you can frolic all year long, weed control is an all-important step that must not be neglected. Among the major nuisance we find in our yards, the Bindii is certainly one that has ruined childhoods and caused misery for humans and animals alike. Although total eradication may seem improbable as these turf enemies seem to always find a way to thrive, there are easy ways to keep your lawns practically Bindii-free!
What should I know about Bindii?
Bindii (Soliva sessilis) also called bindii-eye, jo-jo, onehunga, or field burrweed is a common lawn weed native to South America that now thrives in many places around the world including Australia, New Zealand, and several places in the United States. This annual broad leaf weed germinates once the cold season sets in. Its carrot-top like leaves produce a single flower through the late-winter to spring that turns into hard brown prickles once the weather becomes warmer. The spiny burr-like seed is a familiar menace to those who have walked barefoot on lawns, playing fields, and parks. It easily attaches to the fur or hides of animals, sticks to shoes, clothing, and tires and easily spreads from place to place. Sometimes, the seeds can even be transported in lawn clippings by mowers and slashers.
How do I get rid of Bindii?
Bindii grows very low to the ground, making it impossible to be mowed out even by a cylinder lawn mower. For small infestations, manual removal by hand pulling, digging up the roots, as well as hoeing over the seedlings would be enough to treat your yard. However, it would be very tedious and impractical for badly infested lawns, and herbicides would be the best way to get rid of what literally could be thorns in your flesh. Effective herbicides contain Bromoximal MCPA, or Dicamba and MCPA and is also useful on dandelions, clovers, and other broad leaf weeds. The best time to spray on Bindii would be in winter, while the plants are still immature. Repeat spray every three weeks, or as guided by the application times on your product label, until they are all gone. It is too late to use herbicides once the burrs turn into hard brown prickles. To keep your turf healthy, lawn herbicides should be applied at half the lawn mowing service cycle. If the grass was being mowed every two weeks, then application should be a week after and so forth. Be sure to take away the clippings for the next 2-3 mowings as the herbicides may carry over. Recycling or mulching grass from treated lawns may damage plants, if not kill them outright. For moderate infestations, steam can be used as an alternative weed control method. Make a steam weed killer or pour hot water onto the base of the Bindii weed and allow it to penetrate the roots. Perform this step for each batch you wish to remove but exercise caution, as the heat from both the steam and water will kill any other plant it touches.
How do I get rid of Bindii for good?
Once you have practically cleared out your yard of Bindiis, the best way to keep them from coming back, or any other pesky weed, is to keep your lawns healthy. Here are some tips you can follow to grow beautiful lush lawns. Mow regularly, feed your turf, aerate your soil, and never neglect weed control!
If you would like us to come and help with your bindii infestation and look after your lawn, make a booking today. Use discount code FRESH for 15% off your first booking!