This year is going to start off with weed issues much more intense then the typical problems of spring weed groups of this region.  They will be bigger and more of them.  This was evident last fall when there were more winter weeds emerging then ever before. 

With this in mind it is vital to get your pre-emergence down and start to control the post emerged weeds as soon as possible.  The problem is we have remained in the low temperatures.  Weed control is not very effective when the plants are shut down because it is too cold out.  Our program this year is starting off with a good application of pre-emergence to make sure we have a good barrier in place for any weeds that will start to germinate in the early spring.  As soon as the temperatures reach a good consistent reading we will be hammering the post emerged weeds as fast as we can. 

The one weed that will be difficult this year will be the same one as always at this time of the year -  you guessed it – Poa Annua.  The one thing it has going for it is its not that ugly of a weed.  The real problem is you have to use some pretty aggressive weed control to get it under control once it is emerged.  We would suggest leaving it to run its course and not spend a bunch of time and weed control trying to control something that will die off in the early summer anyway.   The reason is, due to the heavy rains we have had this winter the pre-emergence from the fall is compromised and when you attack the Poa Annua with the post emerged weed control you run the risk of damaging the grass. 

Trust us, it is better to keep the grass healthy and ready to ride whatever mother nature gives us this year then to worry about cleaning up a Poa Annua patch in the midst of transitioning Bermuda or Zoysia.  The roots are going to be in need of repair after drought and excessive rains so you don’t want to compromise their health this spring.