Weeds aren’t just a spring and summer annoyance. Not only do most existing weeds continue to grow through fall, some weeds actually sprout best in autumn’s cooling temperatures.

Weeds this year have been particularly bad. Much of this is because of the weather pattern of an early spring with lots of moisture followed by rapidly increasing heat. The stress to the yards from this weather pattern prevents the grass from choking out weeds, while giving the weeds the needed moisture kick start for massive growth. With the rain in late July, followed by another span of abnormally hot weather in August, we have seen yet another volley of weeds.

Pre-emergent barriers put down in the spring faded fast this year, letting annual weeds such as spurge and crabgrass get established throughout the metro area. Even as we fight these weeds, a new crop of different weeds is just getting started: the winter annuals.

Winter annual weeds are the most overlooked type of weeds. These germinate in fall, spend winter as young vegetative plants, then shift into prime-growth mode as soon as the weather warms in spring. Depending on the weather, some of these continue to grow slowly even in December, January and February. Last winter, because of the dry conditions, some weeds didn’t stop growing at all. Winter annual weeds die off when hot weather arrives, but not before dropping new seed that sits dormant in summer and germinates when weather cools.

Examples of weeds that sprout in fall include: henbit, deadnettle, common chickweed, prickly lettuce, annual bluegrass, cheatgrass, wild mustard, corn speedwell, horseweed, shepherd’s purse, and annual sow thistle. Fall-sprouting weeds get started as early as the late summer and continue to germinate from early fall more or less until Thanksgiving. Dandelions and buckhorn plantain are two perennial weeds that also often sprout again in the late summer and into fall.

Now is the time for weed control before colder weather hardens them off as they prepare for winter. The lawn professionals at Mountain High can help you get control.

Give Mountain High Tree a call at 303.232.0666 and we will be happy to help with weed control.

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