After battling weeds all spring and summer, you may be ready to throw in the gardening gloves by now. But fall is one of the best times to help control perennial weeds. Take these fall weed control tips into consideration as you enjoy the late blooms and cooler weather this season to help prevent weeds from overwintering and returning in the spring.

Fall Weed Control Tips

Just as you’re getting your garden ready for winter by cutting back dead plants, you may notice some weeds are still thriving. Dandelions, clovers, and broadleaf weeds are still actively growing, especially now that the weather is cooler and they may not have as much competition in dry, dead lawn spots or sparse gardens. In fact, this is the time when those pesky perennial and biennial weeds are preparing to overwinter in your lawn and tucking themselves into your garden bed. This makes them more vulnerable to the following weed control options.

1. Post-emergent herbicides. Apply these products to the weeds you see. These plants are storing nutrients in their roots to survive the winter. But if you apply an herbicide, this is what they’ll transfer to the roots, cancelling their return ticket to your lawn and garden in the spring.
2. Pre-emergent herbicides. While you can’t see winter weeds like chickweed or henbit yet, you can still prevent seeds from germinating by applying a pre-emergent product in early fall.
3. Regular mowing. Continue to mow your lawn at a proper height to prevent weeds from going to seed.
4. Mulch. Add a fresh layer of organic materials to your garden to block sunlight and prevent weed seeds from germinating.
5. Ground cover. Consider using cover crops in garden beds to suppress the germination of new weed seeds.
6. Hand-pulling. Pull any young weeds out before they have the chance to establish a deep root system. This is easier after it rains when the soil is soft.

Whether you apply an herbicide, mow, or hand pull weeds, remove it from the lawn and garden to prevent weed seeds from reestablishing itself.

Improve Lawn Health for Less Weeds

One of the easiest ways to control any weed is to maintain a lush lawn. Weeds thrive in dead or bare patches of grass and poor soil. Healthy turf is strong enough to outcompete weeds. Here are some ways to ensure your lawn can help shield itself from weeds.

• Overseed. Fill in bare spots and thicken your lawn with grass seed in early fall to help reduce the space for weeds to grow.
• Aerate. Improve grass root development to help strengthen the turf.
• Fertilize. Feed your lawn to promote healthy grass growth and prevent spring weeds.
• Water. Focus efforts on the root zone by watering deeply and infrequently, as overwatering can create ideal conditions for weeds.

Don’t give up on weed control just yet. With these tips and the help of fall’s moderate temperatures, you can create a strong weed control strategy that helps ensure a healthier lawn and garden come spring.