Winter is a good time to prepare the lawn for success. Taking a few proactive steps now will ensure a beautiful, healthy yard when spring arrives.
The best prevention for disease and weeds is a lush, strong lawn. Healthy, thick grass is able to effectively choke out weeds. Tasks to consider for keeping a lawn healthy are proper fertilization, mowing height, and watering when needed. And as the weather warms up, it’s important to time waterings for early mornings so that the lawn isn’t ‘put to bed’ wet. That can invite disease.
This month, take time to combat those green weeds in dormant, warm-season lawns. First of all, make sure they are properly identified. Are they grassy or broadleafed? Many can be hand pulled, but most broadleaf spray herbicides are effective. Avoid excessive watering because many winter weeds can thrive in damp conditions.
Prepare to apply a preemergence granular herbicide in the coming weeks. This lays dormant in the soil for many weeks and kills summer weeds when they start to grow from seed as the soil temperatures warm.
Here are some other winter task suggestions from NG Turf.
This month’s Turf Tip is brought to you by:
©2025 Cox Media Group