How do weeds spread from lawn to lawn?

Question

I've out a lot of time and money into trying to have a good lawn but my neighbor has Foxtail growing and it is not popping up in my yard. Do weeds put off a seed that is blown in the wind and carried over? I ask because I am writing a newsletter for the home owners association and would like to explain to those with bad lawns how they are affecting the rest of us.

Answer 1

You are absolutely correct, weeds are a fact of life. Bird droppings will carry their seeds, the wind will escort them blocks, and blocks from home, damp shoes will deposit them on your lawn, etc., you get the point. I have to take a moment and give voice to something that could really, really be good for you, your community and your newsletter. As you are aware of how your neighbors lawn effects yours, so you should be aware that using herbicides to eliminate the weeds that do get by your diligent efforts is not a good answer. In MN we have some laws about runoff in the Metro region due to our strong environmental views and the fact that the Mississippi runs between the Twin Cities. Anyway, Corn Gluten Meal. It will help prevent weed seed from germinating, it is a new and brilliant idea. We're pushing it here. I attend the Master Gardener functions and seminars they put on here, and this year's theme was sustainable living/landscaping. Anyway, the U has been all about this here and it is some really cool and cutting edge stuff. You might want to check these sites out:

http://www.pesticide.org/pubs/alts/cgm/cornglutenmeal.html

http://www.eartheasy.com/article_corn_gluten.htm

http://www.cornglutenmeal.com/

I know the last site said something about using it as a foxtail suppresant even. Oh! I forgot to mention too that it also works as fertilizer as it is 10% Nitrogen by weight, plus it is organic so it doesn't build up chemical residues in your lawn! Hope this helps and you mention this to others as it really is an awesome thing! Thanks!

Answer 2

KC,
I have worked for some ten years advising Landscaping Firms as to how to avoid this problem. There are no simple solutions.
Fed Regs require a company to give notice of sprays for turf, shrubs, trees, etc. Fed Regs also allow any resident to require that any application not be done on any property within xxx foot of their property (see state regs).
The State requires that any individual that has a allergic reaction to a pesticide register that issue. Pesticide is the term used for both weed-killers, fertilizer, or pest-control. The company or individual that applies any such compound is then required to comply with the no-zone. Fact is that the
no-zone is generally less than 100 ft. of the person complaining.
In large complexes in Pa., for example, we send out notice of an application two weeks aforehand. Anyone wishing to not have an application needs to put a flag, provided by us, in a visable place. Two days beforehand we check the state registry for additions. Then we go. The law is the same in your state!
A Contracted Service can treat all surfaces in all conditions. An Individual is a different situation. The Association needs to allow for the independent, yet, protect the general. As such a turf and shrub program would not only be in the interest of the individual but the community as a whole.
Expect general concerns from the general pop. Contact your local State Extension Agent and reps from at least three Large providers (ChemLawn, Evergree, etc) to be there for an Association meeting. The Extension Agent will explain the need, the other, they explain the how.
Meanwhile, if you have a hose-end sprikler, and you were to be fert your lawn, and a weed-killer happened to be in it, and the wind or something else diverted your attention, I would say such things happen. Good Luck. I am at [e-mail].

Answer 3

Great choice. I should do that in my area. I live in Northern Utah. And I am placked by sticky weeds. This year has been so bad cause the neighbor one house to the north of me isn't taking care of his lawn. He gotten written up by the City, cause a few of us have complaint about . But its of no use. He is just so darn laczy it makes our homes look aweful. I have talked to Scotts lawn care. And they are doing a few sprays back and front . Our next door neighbors lawn in the ba ck died completly cause they got all the grap from that person I talked of.l
Yes, seeds, weeds do fly arround through the winds or either from the birds who pick or eat seedlings and bugs of your lawn. There is the only way of just curing it. using chemicals . Which I do not believe in . Cause I am an Organic gardner. But sometimes do not have a choice and I have to use them. Good luck with your ordeal.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

You are absolutely right, dandelions are a great culprit for this, the seeds are carried by the wind. I, like you, would get outside with a V-shaped weed remover and dig up all the dandelions, then I would spread Scotts weed and feed on the lawn. Well I was the only one in the neighborhood who apparently cared, and the weeds only came back, via the wind and the other lazy neighbors.

Answer 6

It's people like you who have caused society to go out of control when something doesn't go their way...yes, weeds produce seeds that travel in the air or by an insect or carried on your clothes...the list goes on & on. If you lived by a field or the woods, would you want the "association" to do something about the seeds coming from there too. Who's to say the seeds are coming from your neighbors yard, they could be from anywhere!---Put weed killer on your lawn & then find a more worthy cause to spend your time on!!!

Answer 7

I do believe that most plants give away some kind of seed to keep the species alive. Birds and or bees probably help spread this stuff around too.

Answer 8

Get an atachment that catches the cut pieces of grass/weed on your mower. Wash the mower blade after every mow to stop seeds from ataching themselves to the blade. Good luck.

Answer 9

Most weeds have microscopic seeds that are carried by the wind.

Answer 10

first, explain what a bad lawn is. is it one that is watered with drinking water? that is a bad lawn.