Now is the time to kill weeds

They are out there, lurking... ready to make their annual appearance. In my yard they started to appear over the last few weeks. They will not be plainly visible until spring, when it will be too late to eradicate them. But if one looks closely, they can be seen in the fall.

“They” are weeds, just waiting to fully emerge and add their undesirable color and texture. Now is the ideal time to control many lawn weeds.

Broadleaf weeds such as dandelions, henbit and chickweed all germinate in the cool, moist periods of September and October. They overwinter as small plants no larger than a quarter.

Arrival of warm springlike weather promotes the weed’s rapid growth and flowering. Once plants reach the flowering stage, they are nearly impossible to control. The advantage of fall control is that the small seedlings are not well established. This is the stage at which control methods are most effective.

There are several products on the market that are effective for control of fall-germinating weeds. They are available in granular and liquid formulations. Both are effective, but each has advantages and disadvantages.

Liquid herbicides normally are more effective than granular products. Lawns should not be mowed for several days before and after the application to allow maximum uptake and translocation of the herbicide. Timing is important. It is best if there is no rainfall or water applied for at least 24 hours after the application.

Granular products often come mixed with fertilizer, which can be convenient. If using a combination product, adjust fall fertilization schedules accordingly. The grass should be wet when applying a granular herbicide. This dampness causes the granular herbicide to stick to the foliage for maximum absorption. It is best to apply the product in the early morning when dew is present or after a rain. When liquids are used, there should be no additional moisture on the lawn for at least 24 hours after the application.

Fall planted grass seed should not be treated with an herbicide until the new grass seedlings have been mowed two or three times, depending on what product was applied. Instructions on labels need to be carefully read to determine proper application times for newly-seeded lawns.

Another advantage of applying herbicide treatments in the fall rather than spring is there will be less damage to non-target plants. Warm spring temperatures, winds and succulent plant growth can create problems for trees, shrubs and flowers often damaged by the herbicide drift. Cooler fall temperatures and the dormant state of most plants greatly reduce this problem.

There is no need to spray the entire yard, just the weed-infested spots. This reduces the amount of pesticides applied. Don’t expect a quick kill, as fall-treated weeds fade away under the cooler conditions. Come spring, the lawn should be relatively weed-free without undesirable bright yellow dandelions, purple henbit and lime green chickweed.

This story was originally published November 5, 2016 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Now is the time to kill weeds."