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By Brian Konrad

Experience shows fall control works best

Fall control of broadleaf weeds to continue in Medicine Hat

May 25, 2022 | 1:48 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — At first glance, it may not seem like a good idea to let dandelions bloom and go to seed in the spring, without trying to control them.

But that’s what the City of Medicine Hat is trying as it moves toward a fall control program.

City staff began a program of fall weed control last year after experience from other locations showed it was more effective.

Fall control in other jurisdictions has resulted in less weed growth and spread in the following spring.

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Dave Genio, parks manager with the City of Medicine Hat, says fall control takes advantage of the life cycle of broadleaf weeds like dandelions.

“The plants themselves are actually pulling in nutrients and everything to store for the wintertime,” says Genio.

“During the spring and summertime the plants are usually trying to generate flowers and producing seeds, but in the fall the plant is taking the control method and putting it into the root base,” explains Genio.

Leaving the dandelions to bloom is also beneficial to bees.

City staff will still perform regular checks on the number of weeks in park locations and decisions on a spring application of herbicide would be made as required.

Parks staff have been following an improved fertilization program and overseeding in parks areas since 2018, which allows turf to thrive and become a healthy competitor for nuisance weeds.