Treat Your Weeds In The Winter

Most, if not all of you have some winter weeds growing in your lawn. Winter weeds begin germinating when the weather cools down during the fall. They grow very slowly for a while then basically just sit there during the coldest months. They certainly haven’t grown much this year because we’ve had so much cold weather.

Many businessowners put out pre-emergence herbicides in the fall to prevent most of these weeds from ever coming up, but it doesn’t always get them all. Nothing is 100% in control and pre-emergence herbicides don’t stop most perennial weeds.

The winter weeds remain relatively small from the time they come up in the fall through most of January and early February. But once the weather begins to warm-up in late February and March, look out. They begin to grow quickly the rest of the spring. This is usually when everyone wants to take action to kill these weeds because the lawn is still mostly brown and just beginning to green up and the weeds stick out like a sore thumb.

Though dormant plants are less vulnerable during the winter, weed prevention during the cold months requires attention and precision. You can use preventive tools to avoid problems during peak growing seasons.

Use A Preemergent

Preemergent is an herbicide that is effective as a preventive measure for weed control. It cannot be used as a weed killer. It is formulated to stop an enzyme necessary for plant germination. Established plants will be unaffected.

Preemergent works best in cool to cold temperatures. Since Texas winters tend to be warm, Texan gardeners can take advantage of the unique winter conditions. Preemergents are most effective when the air settles between 55°F and 60°F on fall and winter nights. You can also spread a second layer of preemergent as winter breaks when the daytime temperatures reach between 65°F and 70°F.

Turn Your Soil

Winter is also a great time to start fresh if you’ve been having incessant problems. Turning your soil allows the dirt beneath the surface to aerate. Aeration increases oxygen levels and brings the nutrients from the deep soil to the surface. You can also often uproot weeds that have been creating long and tough root systems.

There are many Texas weeds that thrive in compact, malnourished topsoil. These weeds will choke out grass and flowers to maintain a low, carpeted coverage area. The yellow woodsorrel and creeping buttercup are great examples. These weeds don’t fare well in winter, so take advantage and dig them up from the root. You’ll simultaneously create a bed for stronger and more beautiful grasses and flowers to set their roots.

With a strong combination of herbicides, preemergents, and proper attention, next year’s lawn could be your most weed-free triumph yet. Just remember that even a dormant lawn is still working beneath the surface to be ready for spring – and you should too!

Let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the work for you and take the burden off your shoulders all together.  Give us a call at 623-848-8277 and let’s talk about it.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net