It’s nearly bindi time. From cutting up your bare feet to shredding your thongs and tangling up your dog’s hair, Bindi’s are the last thing you want in your lawn. These sturdy weeds can wreak havoc in your grass, garden, and paddock.
Known formally as Caltrop, this summer growing weed is an annual. Every winter it goes away and comes back with a vengeance each spring. Its high drought tolerance and survivability make it a difficult weed to control.
If you’ve ever tried walking barefoot in your Bindi infected lawn in summer, you know the real pain these weeds can cause. Not only will they scar your feet, but they will leave your garden and lawn patchy and sickly.
Here are a few options for protecting your lawn and garden from Bindi. We’ve compiled a helpful guide. Give us a call and speak to our staff or knowledgeable agronomist.
Mowing: Bindi’s rely on flowering to spread. If you mow regularly this will prevent them from flowering thus preventing the spread. That being said, make sure that you don’t mow too short as this will damage the grass giving bindi the opportunity to overtake the lawn grass.
Fertilizing and Watering: A healthy, thick lawn can outcompete bindi. Fertilize and water your lawn appropriately to promote dense growth, which leaves less space for weeds like bindi to establish.
Hand Pulling: Sometimes hand pulling is the best option. While tedious work, for small infestations, hand-pulling bindi is one of the most effective options. Ensure that you remove the entire root system to prevent regrowth. This is best done after rain or watering when the soil is soft, making it easier to pull out the weed and wear gloves.
Herbicides: Using a selective herbicide designed for broadleaf weeds is one of the most effective ways to control bindi. Look for herbicides containing MCPA, Dicamba, or Bromoxynil, which target bindis without harming your lawn. Apply in late winter or early spring before bindi flowers and produces its sharp seeds (burrs).
At Tara Rural Supplies and Condamine Seeds and Tyres we stock some great options for herbicides to protect against bindi. Weedforce Broadsweep® is a great option. This is a selective herbicide that targets broadleaf weeds. The active ingredients, MCPA and Dicamba make it effective in taking out the bindis. Broadsweep® is for use in lawns, turf (not Buffalo varieties), and non-cropped areas. Make sure you don’t use broadleaf herbicides on areas where you are growing medics, clover, lucerne, or buffalo.
Give us a call or visit us in store to find out if Broadsweep® is right for your lawn.
Give us a call at (07) 4665 3366 or visit us in store.
visit our website at www.tararuralsupplies.com.au
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