When is the best time to apply a herbicide for control of henbit?

The best time to apply a herbicide for controlling henbit is in the fall. Henbit is a winter annual weed, meaning that it germinates in the fall, grows through the winter, and then flowers in the spring. By targeting henbit in the fall, you are effectively addressing the weed during its germination phase. This timing allows the herbicide to disrupt the early growth and development of the plant, preventing it from becoming established and competing with desirable vegetation in the spring.

Applying herbicides in the spring, summer, or winter would not be as effective. In the spring, henbit would already be established and possibly flowering, making control more challenging. Summer applications would be too late since the plant life cycle peaks in the spring. Winter applications may miss the critical germination period entirely, as henbit would typically be dormant during cold weather. Thus, a fall application is strategically the most effective for achieving control of henbit.