Look Out Here Comes Crabgrass

Soon, crabgrass will be on the rise, so to speak. As soon as the soil temperature climbs to 50 degrees, patches of green-purplish grass, containing three distinctive seed heads, will sprout. This annual turf weed will continue to germinate and grow from early spring through the first fall frost.

In an average-size lawn, a heavy growth of crabgrass can yield between 50,000 and 60,000 plants, producing 150,000 to 185,000 seeds per plant.

After the plants die in the late fall, the thin open patches left behind are perfect spaces for seed germination next spring. In other words, it’s a safe bet that if your lawn had crabgrass last year, it’s sure to have it again this year.

Here are a few tips to prevent this lawn weed:

* If your lawn is mowed to 1 inch or taller, the thick turf will cover the bare spaces while keeping the soil surface cool, preventing the seed from germinating.

* Once crabgrass begins growing, it can be difficult to control. It’s best treated before it occurs, by applying a pre-emergence weed preventer. This creates a barrier at the soil surface to kill geminating crabgrass plants.

* Pendimethalin, the active ingredient in a product called Halt, is the strongest crabgrass preventer. Other products such as Dacthal, Bensalide and Team are also available for preventing crabgrass germination.

If you choose to use a pre-emergence herbicide, it should be applied now.

Unusual garden additions

Though neither Jerusalem artichokes or horseradish would be allowed to set root in my garden, I know there are a few out there that do enjoy the pungent flavor of these plants. So that I don’t slight anyone or any crop, here’s a bit of cultural information on both of these edibles:

First, both plants are very aggressive. They were probably growing here before man and they’ll probably be here long after we’re gone. If you plant either of them, future generations will be harvesting Jerusalem artichokes and horseradish long after the cows come home. This is fair warning.

Jerusalem artichokes are tall plants grown from tubers. Plant them about 5 inches deep, 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost, (around mid-April). Plant them either as whole tubers or tubers with at least two eyes.

Harvest the artichokes in the fall, after the first frost. Frost seems to sweeten them. Scrub or peel the tubers and dice them like water chestnuts for salads or stir-fries, or simply steam them.

Horseradish should be planted in a container. In fact, the Herban Pottery company in Seattle, has designed a pot just for containing horseradish. The two-piece clay pot separates for easy harvesting of the roots without disturbing the plant. The cost is $85 plus shipping. To order one of these special pots, call (800) 618-4742.

If you intend to plant horseradish in the ground, plant the fleshy roots 2 to 3 feet apart. Unless your soil is really poor, horseradish needs no fertilizer, especially nitrogen which can cause forked roots. Keep it well watered. Dry conditions can produce small, strong-flavored roots.

Harvest horseradish by either removing a few of the lateral roots, leaving the center taproot or by harvesting the main taproot itself.

Since I’ve never harvested the stuff, all I can do is pass along to you an excerpt from an article I read: “If you’re going to harvest horseradish by removing the taproot, carefully remove the soil from around the top two-thirds of the root when the plant is a foot tall. Nip off the lateral roots you’ve exposed, then gently repack the soil around the taproot. Repeat the process six weeks later. This directs the plant’s energy into the main taproot, allowing it to grow fat for fall harvest. It’s far easier to peel and prepare one large root than several small ones.”

Mark your calendar

A class in Low-Maintenance and Cost-Efficient Landscaping will be offered by the Spokane Parks Department, Wednesday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh. The cost is $10. You are asked to please bring a sketch of your landscape to the class.

The Kootenai County Extension Office continues its horticulture class series with Vegetable Gardens For Northern Climates, Monday, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the office, 106 E. Dalton in Coeur d’Alene. The fee for the class is $5. Please register by calling (208) 667-6426.