Weed & Feed products are being sold in big box stores right now. These are popular because they contain both fertilizer and weed killer. While warm-season lawns that are dormant certainly won’t take up any nitrogen-containing fertilizer, often the fertilizer or ‘feed’ in these products serves as the carrier for the ‘weed’ product, or herbicide, needed to combat winter weeds in the landscape this time of year.

Recently, UGA turfgrass specialist Clint Waltz called the show to explain the benefits of granular herbicides with Atrazine. It can act in two ways- one is to kill small, winter weeds already appearing in the lawn, and two- to prevent weeds like burweed and poa annua (a.k.a. ‘annual bluegrass’), which appear in spring.

Something else to be proactive with and to not over-think is the home irrigation system. While the demand for water in the winter is less, grasses still need to stay hydrated in winter so they aren’t desiccated by winter winds. Adjust automatic timers before rain is forecasted and when colder weather arrives. Make sure there are no leaks or breaks in the system before shutting it off and draining it. Not doing so could lead to costly repairs later if the system freezes.

And here is NG Turf with reminders for other winter tasks.

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