How to Stop Winter Weeds From Taking Over Your Lawn Come Spring
If you live in an area with freezing winters, you might completely forget about lawn weeds during this season. That makes sense, because just as grass goes dormant or grows very slowly in cold climates, so do weeds. However, if you live in the south, weed control is a task that needs to be taken care of year-round—though you may want to approach it differently than you do in the summer. Here’s what you need to know about winter weed control for lawns, according to landscaping experts.
When Do I Need to Start Winter Weed Control Efforts?
First, it is important to understand that winter weed control means you’re working to prevent weeds from spreading throughout your lawn and becoming a major issue in the spring. In southern regions, you'll need to practice weed control throughout the winter. In northern areas, most winter weed control takes place in the fall before winter hits. Sara Bendrick, licensed landscape contractor, TV personality, and STIHL spokesperson, notes, “Weed activity is limited in colder regions once winter arrives and lawns have gone dormant, so it’s best to take preventative measures in late fall. This includes proper mowing height to strengthen turf density and reduce stress before dormancy, prepping soil, and applying pre-emergent treatments.”
Related: The Winter Watering Mistake That Can Wreck Your Grass
Popular Weeds That Thrive in the Winter
In cold-weather regions, weeds aren’t much of a problem in the winter until it starts to warm up. However, in warm/mild winter regions, some weeds thrive while warm-season grasses are dormant. The following weeds love when the weather starts to cool, according to Bendrick and Jason McCausland, technical coordinator at Weed Man.
- Bluegrass (Poa annua)
- Chickweed
- Henbit
- Purple deadnettle
- Bittercress
McCausland emphasizes, “These weeds typically germinate in the fall, grow through winter, and become most problematic if not controlled before spring green-up.” That’s why taking care of weeds year-round in warm winter regions is crucial.
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What Problems Can Weeds Cause in the Winter?
During the winter, there’s not much of a problem per se; the issue becomes more prominent as temperatures start to warm up in the spring. Winter weeds compete and have an advantage over dormant grass when accessing water and nutrients, leading to potential lawn problems, including:
- Weed infestation
- Thinning or bare spots
- Uneven lawn growth
- Cosmetic issues
- Turf health issues
- Long-term lawn damage
McCausland says, “If [weeds] are left uncontrolled, they produce large amounts of seed, delay spring green-up, and lead to more severe and costly weed problems the following season.”
Related: Grass Seed You Laid in Fall and Winter Will Sprout Soon. Here’s How to Water It.
What Are the Best Ways to Fight Weeds When Grass Is Dormant?
Prevention in the fall is key to managing weeds in the winter. McCausland recommends “applying pre-emergent herbicides in the fall (and split applications where needed) to stop winter weeds before they germinate.”
When the weather permits it in winter, you can treat and tackle specific sections affected by weeds.
For those in warmer regions where lawns remain active through the winter, light mowing or trimming helps manage visible weed growth and reduce seedhead production, Bendrick explains.
The best way to prevent weeds from spreading in the winter is to use proper mowing techniques to encourage a healthy, dense lawn that is more resilient before the colder weather arrives and the grass goes into dormancy.