During the winter months in Cumming, Georgia is the only time most people want a uniform brown lawn. You may be seeing some annoying green weeds starting to sprout up in your lawn this time of year. The best way to control these weeds during the winter months is through a pre-emergent weed preventing application in the fall. If your timing is off or the weather is extremely wet during the winter months you may have some break down in the pre-emergent barrier. If this happens you will need to use a selective post emergent weed control to get rid of them. It may take 4-6 weeks for the weed controls to take effect due to the cold temperatures, weed controls work slower when it is cold. I have listed some of the top 5 annoying Winter Annual weeds you may find in the Cumming, Georgia area.
Poa Annua or Annual Bluegrass – The weed is probably the number one weed that people do not like in their lawn. This grassy weed germinates during the fall and can grow through the spring time. It germinates based on soil temperatures and will die off naturally once the weather and soil temperatures warm up in the spring. This weed is very difficult to control even with new pre-emergent and post emergent products on the market it can be troublesome and sometimes it’s the only weed in some yards for this reason.
Henbit- Henbit is in the mint family and has purple flowers. One unique feature of this weed is its triangular stem. Henbit spreads only by seed and is generally not a problem in dense, vigorous turfgrass lawns. Henbit is found throughout the United States.Can be controlled with pre and post emergent weed controls.
Bittercress - Bittercress is a winter annual broadleaf weed in Alpharetta and Cumming Georgia . The initial true leaves are heart shaped, followed by leaves which contain 2 - 4 alternating leaflets. The surface of the leaves is often hairy. Bittercress spreads by seed. The seed capsules will project the seeds when disturbed. Bittercress is found from Maine to Florida, west to Nebraska and Texas. Bittercress can be controlled with both post and pre-emergent weed controls.
Mouseear Chickweed - Mouseear chickweed is a winter perennial. The leaves are opposite, oblong and covered with hair. The flowers of Mouseear chickweed are white and contain 5 petals which are notched at the tip. Mouseear chickweed spreads by seed, but can root at the nodes. Mouseear chickweed is found throughout United States. This weeds germinates in Alpharetta and Cumming Georgia in December/January time frame. Being a perennial this weed grows back year to year from the same root system. Pre-emergent may help control new seeds from germinating but a post emergent will be necessary to remove the existing weed from your lawn.
Common Chickweed - Common chickweed is a winter annual which grows in moist shaded areas. The leaves are small, smooth, pointed at the tip and elliptic in shape. They are opposite on branching creeping stems. Chickweed adapts well to different mowing heights. The flowers are white and star like. Common chickweed spreads by seed. Common chickweed is found throughout the United States except in the Rocky Mountains. Controlled by both pre and post emergent weed controls.
If you are a do it yourselfer you can find various weed controls at local home improvement stores. Be sure to check the label and see if the product is safe, many of the weed controls you can purchase are not as safe as you might think. Always follow the precautions and where protective gear such as safety glasses, long sleeves, pants, and rubber boots or shoes.
If you need professional help contact Greenfeet Lawncare 770-619-2929 or click below for a Free Estimate. You may find it is cheaper and easier to have a healthy, beautiful lawn by hiring Greenfeet Lawncare.
Greenfeet Lawncare Services- North Fulton, East Cobb, Cherokee, Forsyth Counties - including Alpharetta, Canton, Cobb, Cumming, Dunwoody, Gwinnett, Johns Creek, Marietta, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs
