STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Spring is still several weeks away, but now is a good time to prevent unsightly weeds from invading home lawns when the weather warms up.

A common weed control method during late winter and early spring is the use of herbicides. Preemergence herbicides are sprays or granular formulas -- many of which also include fertilizer -- that can be used to kill weeds before they start to grow. Postemergence herbicides are best for use on weeds not controlled by the preemergence treatment.

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Chemicals are effective tools for managing weeds and unwanted brush in a landscape, but overlooking their potency or staying power frequently causes unwanted plant casualties.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Southern Weed Science Society recently honored several Mississippi State University students and faculty members for their outstanding contributions.

Alana Blaine of Starkville won first place in the Master of Science paper competition for her paper, titled “The Effect of Dicamba Concentration and Application Timing on Soybean Growth and Yield.” Blaine is an MSU graduate student studying weed science.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – The Mississippi State University Extension Service has won a regional communication award for the television show Southern Gardening.

The two-minute episodes feature host Gary Bachman, an MSU Extension horticulturist at the Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. The show won a Blue Ribbon Communication Award from the Southern Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science.

The Blue Ribbon award program began in 1987 to recognize outstanding contributions to horticultural education in written, video, audio or electronic form.

MISSISSIPPI STATE – State officials are asking for the public’s help in stopping the spread of cogongrass, one of the world’s worst weeds, which has invaded 62 of Mississippi’s 82 counties.

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce-Bureau of Plant Industry is asking anyone who spots this invasive grass to report the sighting by calling (662) 325-3390. The problem is severe enough that a Mississippi Forestry Commission assistance program is available in 19 counties to help landowners get rid of the weed.