The golf season is winding down, and now fall is here. This time of year presents many busy days, of course, for winter preparation. Besides the usual tasks and projects at this time of year, controlling broadleaf weeds should be at the top of the list. Turf is recovering and thriving thanks to ideal temperatures and timely rain, but so are broadleaf weeds. Some weeds are hard to notice at this time of year because they have finished blooming for the year. Fall is a critical season for broadleaf weed control since it’s the ideal time to target these invasive plants before they go dormant for the winter. By addressing broadleaf weeds in the fall, gardeners can prevent them from overwintering and ensure a healthier, weed-free landscape come spring.
Perennial broadleaf weeds, including dandelions, clover, ground ivy, and black medic, are best controlled in the fall. When applying summer herbicide applications, the weeds are only affected by the top growth of the plant. In many cases, it is not effective at killing the whole plant. It will typically take two to three herbicide applications to control perennial plants, and most times, they will come back later in the year. Broadleaf weeds are beginning to prepare for winter by moving sugars that they need for energy from the above part of the plant to the roots to store for the coming year. This movement of sugars and nutrients provides plenty of time for herbicides to move to the roots and kill the weeds. You should apply herbicides from when the leaves start to turn color up until the ground freezes. The best results typically occur from early September to early November.
Many products on the market are effective at controlling broadleaf weeds. The following herbicides would be effective for fall applications: Vessel 3-Way Herbicide, SureZone, and Defendor. Please follow each product’s label for the proper recommended rates. Spraying should occur when the daytime high is above 50°F for a few days. Apply the herbicide on a clear and sunny day so it dries on the plant for at least 24 hours, which allows the chemical to be taken in by the plant. The area of turf that you are making the application should be cleared of fallen leaves. Wind drift can be a concern, so try to make the applications with as little wind as possible, or preferably none at all. Add a surfactant to your herbicide mix when targeting any weeds with a waxy coating on their leaves. If you have any questions on herbicides and their rates, please get in touch with your local Advanced Turf Solutions sales representative. They will be happy to assist you in any way.
Due to cooler temperatures in the fall, the visual effects of the herbicides slow down. This makes it more difficult to witness the curling, browning, and shriveling caused by the herbicide application. Over the winter, the weeds will die and melt away into the healthy turf that will be there in the spring.
