Texas’s weather tends to be polarizing: some people love that we can see greenery year-round. Others prefer the more distinctive seasons of the North. Love it or hate it, though, one thing is certain: Texas has more winter weed issues than many areas.
Thanks to our temperate winters, weeds don’t freeze and die each year. That creates a new set of challenges for Texans. Let’s dig into the most common winter weeds in Texas and the one thing you need to do to manage them.
Common Winter Weeds in Texas
In Texas lawns, problematic weeds vary from one season to the next. In the winter, there are three particularly common troublemakers.
Annual Bluegrass
Annual bluegrass isn’t the same Kentucky bluegrass you may know. Annual bluegrass is actually a weed that can spread across any lawn. It’s a brighter color of green than most homes’ lawns, so it sticks out like a sore thumb. Worse, it grows in messy-looking patches.
Fortunately, annual bluegrass isn’t dangerous. It is, however, unattractive by most homeowners’ standards, so it’s usually an unwelcomed invader.
Chickweed
Chickweed is a weed that’s known for its flat, egg-shaped leaves. It grows outward rather than upward, so it can take over a lawn in surprisingly little time. The plant can also sprout small white flowers.
Chickweed is also a rather interesting weed because it’s an edible plant. In fact, some even claim chickweed has health benefits for a variety of conditions and concerns. It even got its name because chickens love eating the leaves.
Regardless of its snacking potential, though, chickweed is a very invasive species. It’s best to start tackling it as soon as it appears.
Henbit
Like chickweed, henbit is an edible plant. It’s a relative of the mint, and some people even grow it intentionally.
If you choose to do that, though, limit your henbit to a pot. If it ends up in your lawn, it’s incredibly invasive so it can make a serious impact on the yard.
How do you know if you have henbit? It’s a particularly distinctive look. Along the stem, leaves grow in distinctive layers. At the top of those stems, purple flowers eventually appear.
Why You Need a Professional for Weed Control
If you’ve spotted any of these winter weeds in your Texas lawn, all you need to do to call a weed control specialist like our experts. We’ll be able to keenly identify the weeds in your lawn. From there, we’ll develop a precise treatment plan, restoring your lawn to its weed-free glory.
On top of treating any existing weeds you have, we’ll be able to take a more effective step: preventative care. Based on your lawn’s risk factors and tendencies, we’ll create a schedule for preventative weed control. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy next winter without those lawn pests.
To start that process today, call our weed control specialists to schedule your consultation.
