New KBG lawn infested with 'winter' weeds

16 years ago

I renovated with elite KBG and a lot of weeds are growing. I think it is Bittercress. It appears to be outcompeting the KBG in some places.

Bittercress is a "Winter Annual" so I think this means the winter here in NJ will not kill them. Should I take care of these now with chemicals and risk damaging my young KBG? I do not want these weeds in the spring.

Bittercress: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/weeds/weed.asp?bittercress

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Comments (4)

eriocaulon
16 years ago
You may have a problem with this weed. I don't think your run-of-the-mill 2,4-D will control it. It may need specialty herbicides or selective application of glyphosate. If it goes to seed, you should also apply pre-emergent next fall.
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dave11
16 years ago
I've never dealt with this particular weed, but have battled lots of others, and I'll say I think you should get rid of it ASAP, so there's no chance of it setting seed. Why not try an application a broad-leaf combo herbicide, in a few of the heavier spots? If it dies, you can gradually expand your treatment area, keeping an eye on how the new grass is reacting. If it doesn't die back satisfactorily though, I'd hit it hard with localized glyophosphate treatments, before the weather cools too much, or even dig up the areas where it's growing. That's what I had to do to patches of creeping bentgrass that came up with a new seeding of KGB/fescue I planted last year. In the Spring, you can reseed those areas.
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denverdude
16 years ago
If it has been mowed 2 or 3 times, you can hit it with something like redzone or three way ester herbicide to control tough broadleaves. If you haven't mowed it a couple times yet, you need to use something like drive or quicksilver.
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lawndivot12
16 years ago
jb nj
Don't worry about the weeds you have right now, concentrate in getting the lawn to grow into a thick turf. Experts recommend that this be done this way for the first season the grass is grown and later the next season, which is spring for you go after the weeds. It is hard to ignore weeds but if you do and feed the grass the lawn will be fine. Lawndivot 12
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New KBG lawn infested with 'winter' weeds

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eriocaulon

dave11

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