Common Weeds in Missouri: Winter Edition

When winter comes to Missouri, it brings not just chilly weather, but also some pesky winter weeds. These unwanted guests can invade our lawns and gardens, so it’s important to know how to keep them in check. The trick to great weed control is knowing how to prevent them. Let’s dive into some common winter weeds that pop up in Missouri lawns and how to get rid of them.  

How to Control Weeds in Missouri

Controlling winter weeds in Missouri might seem like a challenge, but knowledge is power! By understanding weed life cycles, and the best time to apply weed killer, you can maintain a beautiful and weed-free yard year-round. The first step to weed control is prevention. Applying pre-emergent weed control seasonally will tackle the bulk of common weeds in Missouri. A spring pre-emergent will help prevent summer annual weeds like crabgrass, while a fall pre-emergent will address common winter annual weeds, like chickweed. Proper lawn care and mowing can also help keep weeds out of your grass. A healthy lawn is no place for pesky weeds. Lastly, not all weeds can be stopped. When they do pop up in your grass, the right post-emergent weed control will stop them in their tracks.  

Annual vs Perennial Weeds

To control weeds, you need to know how lawn weeds grow and spread. There are different types of weeds at certain times of the year, and learning how they grow is the best start to controlling them. Annual weeds complete their life cycle in one year, meaning they grow and die out over a season. However, perennial weeds can live on for multiple years, rooting deeply in the soil. Simply put, annual weeds can be prevented with seasonal pre-emergent weed control, while perennial weeds can only be killed out when they’re actively growing.  

Common Winter Annual Weeds in Missouri

Winter annual weeds should be prevented with a fall pre-emergent weed control. Applied at the right time, it can help prevent winter annuals before they can even germinate. Even with prevention, weeds can still break through. Common weeds you may see during winter are chickweed, henbit, poa annua, prickly lettuce, and more. They will die out by spring or you can target them with post-emergent weed control.  

Chickweed

Common chickweed is a low-growing, bright green weed that loves cool temperatures. If it sticks around into early spring, it can also bloom small white flowers. It can be prevented in the fall or controlled with post-emergent weed control. 

Henbit

Identifiable by its purple flowers, henbit can be managed with early fall pre-emergents or targeted weed control. It’s fairly easy to control due to its shallow root systems.  

Poa Annua (Annual Bluegrass)

Commonly referred to as “Poa”, it’s an invasive grassy weed that can be controlled with pre-emergent weed control before it has a chance to germinate. It produces weed seeds and starts germinating in early fall through winter.  

Shepherds Purse

Recognizable by its heart-shaped seed pods, Shepherd’s purse is a winter annual weed that sprouts from a basal rosette. It can be controlled with preventative weed control and is commonly found in sidewalk cracks or edges of garden beds. 

Weed Control Tips for Missouri Homeowners

There are other ways to keep weeds out of your lawn outside of weed control herbicides. Proper lawn care is not only good for your grass, but it’s a natural form of weed control. Mowing is a great way to keep weeds from invading your grass, especially during the growing season. Regular mowing keeps weeds premature, stopping them from competing with your turfgrass. Weed control herbicides will also be more effective and fast-acting on premature weeds. Healthy mowing also improves the health and turf density of your lawn. A thicker lawn makes it harder for weeds to break through. Proper watering is also a great way to discourage weed infestations. Deep watering encourages deeper root systems. Shallow watering leaves water at the surface, which can allow shallow-rooted weeds to thrive.  

Effective Weed Control for Every Season

Homeowners struggling with common lawn weeds in Missouri can count on Loyalty Lawn Care to turn things around. Our lawn care services cover all the fertilization and weed control your lawn needs throughout the year. From early spring to early fall, we include all the seasonal pre-emergent herbicides your grass needs to stay protected. In between prevention, we’ll tackle any active weeds with professional post-emergent herbicides. We’ve been a top lawn care provider in St. Louis and surrounding areas since 1998. Our services also include mosquito control, tree and shrub care, tall fescue overseeding, and more. For reliable weed management and more, contact us today for a free quote.