When it involves weeds, procrastinating is rarely a good suggestion. The finest approach to get forward of the invaders is to use a pre-emergent product earlier than winter weed seeds germinate. “If you do nothing, warm season grasses go off-color after a frost, but the weeds remain green,” says Clint Waltz, PhD, turfgrass specialist on the University of Georgia. “That’s not acceptable to many homeowners.”
Winter weeds appear in late summer to fall; some winter weeds proceed to germinate in December and January even into mid-spring. In dry years, winter weed germination could also be delayed till later within the season. “But in irrigated lawns, all bets are off,” says Waltz. Your irrigated garden possible may have loads of winter weeds in case you don’t use a pre-emerge.
What Are the Most Common Winter Weeds?
Winter weeds fall into two foremost classes: Broadleaf and grassy. Broadleaf weeds, corresponding to henbit and chickweed, have broad leaves and netted veining. Grassy winter weeds, corresponding to annual bluegrass, are extra slender and grass-like with parallel veins, says Waltz.
It’s useful to get a correct ID of any weeds you do spot in your garden. That’s as a result of preemergent merchandise are not effective at controlling established perennial weedssays Waltz. If you aren’t certain what sort of weed you could have, ask your native college coop extension agent (discover yours here). Or think about using an app corresponding to Google Lens or the University of Tennessee’s Mobile Weed Manual.
When Should You Put Down Winter Weed Control?
A pre-emergent product is handiest when utilized earlier than weeds seem. However, some merchandise, corresponding to people who include dithiopyr, have some “early reachback,” which implies they’ll take out little weeds which have germinated within the final two to 3 weeks, says Waltz.
In many of the South for winter weeds, intention to get your pre-emergent down someday in late summer season to mid-fall. Beyond that, it’s typically too late to use a pre-emergent. However, if you have already got winter weeds rising, you continue to could contemplate utilizing a dithiopyr-containing product due to the reachback potential and since it nonetheless has pre-emergent exercise for ungerminated weed seeds.
Finally, keep in mind you shouldn’t use a pre-emergent in case you’re planning to newly-seed, reseed or overseed your garden. The residual exercise will inhibit all kinds of seedling development, together with your new grass seed, says Waltz.
