Winter Annual Weed Management
Posted: October 9, 2012
winter annuals that have germinated in a disease-damaged lawn.
Winter
annual weeds (like hairy bittercress, purple deadnettle, henbit, common
chickweed, annual bluegrass, and many others) can germinate from fall to early
spring. They flower and set seeds in early to mid spring, then die when
summer heat takes over. All those seeds are in the soil, ready to sprout
now that cooler temperatures are here. Many winter annuals tolerate and
even grow during the cold weather of winter. Some have started
germinating already in a lawn or landscape near you.
When developing your plan of attack, carefully inspect turf or landscape beds
to look for seedling emergence. If the winter annuals have already
germinated, it will be necessary to use a post-emergence herbicide treatment or
physically remove them. Then, take steps to prevent more of their seeds
from germinating.
Some things you can do this fall to help prevent them include:
- Refreshing mulch to cover bare ground areas
- Repairing thin or bare areas in turf by over-seeding (best done now through mid-October)
- Applying a pre-emergent herbicide to landscape beds or turf
Your efforts this fall should result in a more weed-free spring.
Contact Information
- Educator, Regional Turf Specialist
