It is commonly known that the effectiveness of weed removal in winter is often less than satisfactory. This is mainly due to the fact that under low temperatures, the physiological activities of plants are relatively weak, with slow absorption and conduction, making it difficult for herbicides to exert their full efficacy. Additionally, the focus of winter maintenance is not typically on weed control. As a result, even when the lawn is full of weeds in winter, in many cases, people choose to wait until spring of the following year to start weed control.
However, most of the weeds in spring are overwintering ones. If these weeds are not removed, they can easily become overwintering sites for pests and diseases. Therefore, appropriate use of pesticides in winter is highly beneficial for the prevention and control of diseases, pests, and weeds in the coming year. If one wants to achieve efficient weed control even in cold weather, the following steps can be considered.
Choose the Right Time to Apply Pesticides
In the low-temperature period of winter, the temperature at noon on a sunny day is the highest. At this time, the physiological metabolism of weeds is relatively vigorous. Seizing this time period for pesticide application is conducive to the conduction and operation of the pesticide within the weeds.
Master the Appropriate Application Period and Dosage
When applying pesticides in the low-temperature season, under the guidance of professionals, the dosage can be appropriately increased and the concentration of the pesticide solution can be raised to achieve a good control effect. However, it must be remembered not to exceed the maximum safe concentration, that is, the maximum allowable dosage without causing pesticide damage. Spray evenly to prevent over-spraying and under-spraying. Attention should be paid to soil moisture during application, especially when using pre-emergence soil treatment agents. Generally, better results are obtained when the soil is moist after rain.
Ensure Even and Thorough Application
When spraying, select a sprayer with a fine spray nozzle. Pay attention to being thorough and even, without over-spraying or under-spraying, and make sure all weeds are sprayed with the herbicide.
Wait Patiently for the Efficacy to Take Effect
Due to the prolonged time for the efficacy to take effect under low-temperature conditions, patience is required. As long as the timing is well grasped and the pesticide solution is sprayed properly, generally, reapplication is not necessary.
Avoid Rain or Snowy Weather
Avoid rain (or snow) within 24 hours after pesticide application to prevent the impact on the efficacy.
Select Appropriate Herbicides: Some pesticides (such as insecticides and herbicides) are greatly affected by temperature, and their efficacy will decrease with the decrease in temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to select herbicides that are still effective under low-temperature conditions and have good conductivity under low temperatures, which can accelerate the arrival of the herbicide at the target and cause the weeds to be poisoned and die.