Weeds may not always look like weeds. Sometimes they look like pretty purple flowers—like henbit. To control henbit, you have to get over your love of these flowering weeds before they take over your yard or garden.

The Onset of Henbit

While you may not see the purple flowers of this weed until it blooms in spring, that doesn’t mean it’s not there. Henbit can show up in cooler temperatures—like late fall or early spring. Then, when it’s finished flowering, it releases seeds that can stay dormant in your yard all summer until the conditions are cooler. This is the best time to attack. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide in fall to create a barrier against germination in the spring.

Control Henbit After Germination

If you didn’t catch it in time, you can also apply a post-emergent herbicide to the plant when you see it. For best results, you need to apply before the weeds release their seeds in order to keep it from coming back next year. Catch it before the purple flowers appear, because once they do, the seeds will soon follow.

Organic Weed Control

Another way to prevent the spread of weeds is to mulch well and often. Organic mulch can conserve moisture, something weeds thrive on. A layer of mulch also blocks the sun from reaching the seeds on top of the ground. A two to three layer inch of mulch is a great way to help control any weed population without the use of herbicides.

Want to Learn More?

For more tips and tricks on controlling henbit and other weeds, contact the lawn care specialists at Cardinal Lawns.