Treating Weeds in Small Grains This Fall

Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Specialist; mjv@udel.edu

This has been a warm and extended fall, which means our winter annual weeds are still actively growing. We still have warm soils which keeps the weeds in an active state. Therefore, you may want to evaluate fields with problem weeds such as annual bluegrass, henbit, or speedwells and consider if a treatment this fall makes sense for you. I find these species are often more susceptible if treated in the fall compared to early spring. Once we have consistently cold weather and soil temperatures drop, then fall treatments will be questionable.