By Will Creed, owner of HorticulturalHelp.com
24.07.2023 - 12:08 / hgic.clemson.edu
It still feels like summer, but it is already time to start thinking about winter weed control. Annual winter weeds germinate late summer through fall and slowly grow during the winter months. They flower and produce seeds in late winter and early spring. Luckily, there are a few practices that can limit winter weeds.
Preemergent herbicides can be used to limit annual weeds in the landscape. It is important to note that preemergent herbicides need to be applied before the seeds begin to germinate. Preemergent herbicides will not control perennial weeds or actively growing weeds.
A common winter weed is annual bluegrass. Seeds germinate in autumn when soil temperatures drop below 70 °F. Preemergent herbicides should be applied when we receive four consecutive days with daytime highs at or below 75 °F. Preemergent herbicides need to be watered in with one-half inch of water within seven days of application. To learn how to calibrate your sprinkler system, watch the video How to Set and Calibrate Your Irrigation System. Preemergent herbicides can control many different weeds. For more information on Annual Bluegrass and preemergent herbicide recommendations, please see HGIC 2325, Annual Bluegrass Control and HGIC 2300, Grassy Weeds.
Seeds need consistent moisture during the germination process. Deep and infrequent irrigation can help to reduce weeds. Turfgrasses are pretty drought tolerant and only need irrigation once they begin to develop a slight blue-grey cast. For more tips on managing lawn irrigation, see HGIC 1207, Watering Lawns.
A majority of seeds need sunlight to germinate. Raising the mowing height of your lawn and keeping a three-inch-thick layer of mulch in landscape beds will significantly reduce annual winter
By Will Creed, owner of HorticulturalHelp.com
Winter season doesn’t mean you have to turn your back to your flower garden until spring comes. There is a good number of plants that bloom beautifully even in the coldest of weather. Let’s dig into their world and see which ones you will fancy.
Think before you allow poppies to proliferate. Poppies rob a lot of goodness from your soil.
Winter can start in December and continue through March (we even worry about snow in May up north) but do not let that put you off flowering plants.
What can gardeners do in winter? The answer lies in the soil! but to old gardeners it is still ‘Beyond our Ken’. I often spent too long polishing my good intentions this includes planning to send my mower for servicing and sharpening’ a shame I do not plan to polish up my other important gardening implements.
Eryngium giganteum better known now as ‘Miss Willmott’s ghost’ is my reminder to get ready for colder weather and Christmas. I have disconnected my hose pipes, lagged outside taps and cleaned up at least one water feature. For some reason one job I procrastinate over is protecting my pots, containers and ornaments from hard frosts. I know it is time to insulate or put them on to legs to provide some protection. At least they are already grouped together, sheltered from high wind and some of the worst weather.
Get sowing for some winter greens and veg like Beetroot, Spring Cabbages, Lettuces, Spring Onions, Chicory, Fennel and Rocket.
My mother very successfully grew Geraniums (pelargoniums) as indoor pot plants for many years. For the majority of gardeners the zonal geraniums are an outdoor feature of brightly coloured flowers that are often treated as annuals.
When deciding upon which trees and shrubs to plant in the landscape, I always suggest that gardeners consider plants that offer more than one season of interest. This aspect of consideration is usually not taken into account by most of the people that I speak with, but it certainly should. Especially since there are so many great trees and shrubs that help to brighten up the often-dreary winter landscape. There are several shrubs that flower in winter, some that display vibrant fruit, have interesting form or beautiful bark.
Woody ornamentals can be damaged by cold temperatures due to three main factors: lack of hardiness, early or late-season frosts or unprotected root systems. A lot of the damage that I have personally encountered has been due to low temperatures causing bark splitting. This type of damage is often difficult to diagnose because the effects are usually very delayed.
Have you noticed the persistent brown leaves still hanging on some deciduous trees long after their foliar companions have fallen? This usually becomes very apparent after normal leaf drop in early winter. These brown leaves may remain attached until spring bud growth pushes them free.
It never fails that come March and April, the desire for many of our lawns to begin to breaking dormancy is met with the horror that the only things that seem to be green are the weeds that we have been ignoring throughout winter. This may include white clover, dandelions, chickweed, the painful lawn burweed, or so any other species. These weeds may be welcome to some homeowners as some serve as early pollen sources for pollinators, but they can also be a nuisance to others.