Winter Weed Control

By Stefani Garbacik

You may think it’s a bit too late to control those pesky winter weeds, but don’t worry. Although right now it feels like spring will never get here, when it finally does, those weeds will turn green and grow quickly. While Oct-Dec is usually the “best” time to spray herbicides to control winter weeds, applying during the spring growth spurt, in February-April, can provide control as well.

The most important thing when considering weed control is to determine what exactly you are controlling. Do you have a major invasion of broadleaf weeds or grassy weeds?  Do you have a mainly Bermudagrass pasture or a fescue one? Weeds in general prevent a pure stand, which can interfere with hay drying times and while grass weeds aren’t commonly a health concern, it’s just one more thing you have to consider (particularly johnsongrass).

Common winter weeds in our area include: buttercup, curly dock, henbit, chickweed, wild mustard, wild radish, and Italian ryegrass. The Agricultural Chemicals Manual is a useful tool in selecting the best herbicide; ALWAYS read the label and follow application instructions. For example, in dormant Bermuda (not actively growing), glyphosate and paraquat should not be applied except during extended periods of mild temps (60 F or more). Several of the most common herbicides also have grazing and haying restrictions.

Broadleaf winter weeds, some of which are mentioned above, can be numerous, noxious, and possibly toxic to animals that consume them. They can also be prickly, which means your livestock are not exactly an effective method of control.

If you have overseeded your pasture, the available herbicide options diminish greatly. Nothing is labeled for a cover crop planted into a grass weed problem (such as Italian ryegrass). For the broadleaf weeds (such as henbit) there are several options for control in rye, barley, oats, triticale, etc.

The most important things to remember when controlling winter weeds (or summer weeds for that matter) is to 1) identify what you have, or at least a general idea—broadleaf vs grass so that you can select the appropriate herbicide and 2) READ THE LABEL and follow application instructions and grazing/haying restrictions.

Source:ncsu.edu