Wintergrass is a significant weed problem in many areas, and control is essential for the following reasons:
Wintergrass is a prolific seeder that will eventually overtake the lawn in winter.
It seeds in Autumn, Winter and Spring and dies off throughout prolonged hot periods in the Summer. This leaves a weakened lawn that will become infected with even more Wintergrass the following cool season.
It sets seed even at very low cutting heights.
The key to controlling Wintergrass lies in its management using both chemical and cultural practices. Good cultural practices means keeping the lawn well maintained by regular mowing and fertilising, and not allowing bare patches to develop which will offer an ideal seed bed for Wintergrass germination.
Light infestations of seedlings may be easily hand weeded as Wintergrass has a very shallow root system.
There are two main ways of approaching the management of winter grass with chemicals… pre-emergent control, which means spraying the lawn before the weeds emerge, or selective post-emergent control once the weeds have already germinated.
Lawns that are properly cut are healthier and more attractive. A properly mowed lawn is thicker and has deeper roots, making it more durable and better equipped to combat weeds, insects, and diseases.