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Mr. Gill, buttercup weeds are growing in our yard of St. Augustine grass. What herbicide or method would you recommend using to exterminate these weeds?
Thanks for any advice and assistance you may have.
- Keith L.
These native buttercups (Ranunculus) grow over the winter cool season. By the time they are old enough to bloom in spring, herbicides are not as effective. In the future, applying lawn weed killers to control cool season weeds is done by January or February (you could spray in November or December when weeds are even younger). But, you may still see some benefit applying a lawn weed killer this late.
Lawns begin to wake up from winter dormancy in early to mid-March, and it is best not to apply herbicides to grass during this period. So, the next opportunity to apply a lawn weed killer is the end of this month. Since that is the time to fertilize lawns, you may choose to use a weed and feed product with Atrazine in it. It will help control this weed. If needed, Atrazine alone may be applied again about a month later. A second weed killer application could be sprayed over the entire lawn or you may spot treat the patches of weeds.
Dan Gill
Consumer Horticulture Specialist
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture