Now that we remember what the sun looks like, homeowners are preparing to work that lawn and landscape back in shape for spring.
Some that held baseball games in the front yard last summer found the lovely little stickers called Lawn Burweed.
Some see this weed as an aesthetic problem.
For the others, this is a reminder that now is a time to control it. Lawn Burweed is a winter annual that often goes unnoticed until the plant is fully mature.
This weed germinates in the fall and has a pale green leaf that resembles parsley.
The problem with this weed is that as the temperatures rise in the spring it moves into its reproductive cycle where it forms a spine tipped burr at the tips.
These are the defense for the seed and also an inconvenience to pets and bare feet.
Control of this weed is much easier with a healthy turf going into the fall. Making sure that you lawn receives the proper amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients are the best defense against this weed as well as others.
Chemical control is also used in the fall as a pre-emergent and late winter as a post-emergent.
For pre-emergence control, products that have Isoxaben, Prodiamine, or Pendamethalin can be applied in late fall.
For post-emergence control products that contain Atrazine is safe on Centipede and St. Augustine and on dormant Bermudagrass. Products that contain 2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop can be used on Bermudagrass and Zoysia but can injure St. Augustine and Centipede.
Anytime you use chemical control always read and follow label directions.
Lawn Burweed poses a unique problem as it almost always escapes our eye as we do not travel our yard often in the winter months but almost always find it in the spring and summer months when it is too late.
For those that have this problem now remember that a full, lush turf is a great defense.
Try to fix these bare areas by growing them in. Once you have this pest under control the neighborhood pets and kids will love spending time outside.
For more information call your local extension office and take a look at Publication 1322 "Establish and Manage Your Home Lawn
