To control weeds in your garden, late summer and early fall is the best time to make a difference

Late summer and early fall are the best times to control weeds because this period determines how clean and manageable your garden will be the following spring.

At this time, weeds are actively growing and spreading seeds, which can lie dormant in the soil for years.

For example, a single dandelion can produce hundreds of seeds, while plants like crabgrass can drop thousands.

By acting now, gardeners can prevent these seeds from germinating later, reducing the need for spring cleanup.

The soil is also still warm, which helps perennial weeds like dandelions absorb herbicides more effectively if used.

Additionally, disrupting winter annual weeds, which sprout in late summer and survive the cold as low-lying rosettes, can prevent an early spring weed explosion.

This proactive approach saves time and effort in the long run.