Our lawns, like the trees and shrubs, should be going dormant. First the growth will slow down, which should have already happened. Then the color will drain from the leaves and the grass will take on its winter color.

If winter weeds like chickweed, henbit, vetch, and lawn burweed are a problem every year, then wait until the levels are where they need to be for the best growth of the lawn in the spring. Soil grass has gone dormant (lost its green color) and start scouting for tiny weeds. When tiny weeds are spotted, then it’s time to consider spraying a lawn weed control product.

Two things to consider before spraying are, what is the temperature outside and is the soil moist. The temperature, because the weed needs to be actively growing so temperatures should be in the 60’s. Soil moisture, because plants can’t grow without water, so if the soil is dry the plants won’t be growing. Water the lawn the day before any spraying is planned, if the soil isn’t already moist.

This is also a great time to take a soil sample to find out if the pH and nutrient testing is free (except for the postage) as long as the samples are received before the test lab closes for Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving there is a $4 fee for each sample to be tested. That’s still very inexpensive, but not as good as free.

If the soil sample comes back and the soil is low in potassium, then go ahead and apply the needed potassium to the soil. The potassium will help the grass to be more cold tolerant. Just in case we have an extremely cold winter, the extra potassium in the soil will help prevent cold injury in the lawn.raying