Q. I have this purple flowering weed running wild in my lawn. Is there anything I can spray on it so my grass grows better?
A. Henbit and purple deadnettle both have purple flowers and can grow abundantly in lawns in early spring. They are best controlled in the fall by putting down a pre-emergence herbicide, but home gardeners rarely do this. You can spray them with a lawn herbicide now and it will give some control. Lawn herbicides should be clearly labeled with a statement like "kills broadleaf weeds not your lawn (or grass)." Apply it to where you see the weeds and wait to mow for a few days.
You may have to retreat two-three weeks later if some grow back or to treat an area where you hadn't noticed them with your first spraying. The reason control isn't as effective in the spring is once plants are blooming, they aren't as easily killed with herbicides.
Both henbit and purple deadnettle fizzle in hot weather. So with regular mowing, they are less noticeable. Having your lawn well fertilized will help it out grow weeds. Applying nitrogen fertilizer in April is recommended if the lawn wasn't well fertilized in the fall. This application of nitrogen can be combined with crabgrass preventer; the recommended time for that is April 1-15.
Q. How do I harden off vegetables that I have started myself indoors?
A. Hardening off is the process of exposing young transplants to cooler temperatures, generally in a somewhat protected location, to allow the plants to adapt to the outdoors. It will usually help reduce transplant shock, which can happen as the plant adjusts to its new environment. Placing them in the full sun for a couple of hours a day and where they get some wind exposure is ideal. Do this for about four days, gradually increasing the time exposed to the full sun. The total process should take five-seven days.
Q. What vegetables can I plant now that it seems the weather is warming up and we got past those cold nights? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
A. Last weekend, this weekend and the next are the ideal time to plant cool season vegetables. Radishes, turnips, greens, lettuces and Cole crops all grow best in cool conditions. Cole crops are cabbages, broccolis, cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts and kohlrabi. Onions, potatoes, carrots, beets and peas can also be planted now as well. Use new seeds if you aren't sure about the age of any seeds you have had around or if those seeds emerged poorly in a prior year.
It has been dry this winter, so lightly irrigate or sprinkle anything you directly seeded every two-three days until it emerges. If you transplant any vegetables, like broccoli or lettuce, keep them watered every two-three days until they get established, which takes about 10 days.
The Central Missouri Master Gardeners are a volunteer group of 191 members, 122 of whom are Cole County residents, who maintain 11 beautification sites in Cole County, which are nonprofits or public entities. Master Gardeners must complete a basic training program of at least 30 hours of horticultural training, as well as 30 hours of volunteer service. The Missouri Master Gardener program is supported by the University of Missouri Extension.
Have a gardening question of your own? Call 573-634-2824 or stop by the Cole County Extension Center in Jefferson City at 2436 Tanner Bridge Road.