Winter Weed Control: The "Wipe-On" Herbicide Method for Dormant Lawns

Spraying non-selective herbicide (glyphosate) on green winter weeds in a dormant lawn is risky—only fully dormant bermudagrass tolerates it, and even then with extreme caution. Centipede, zoysia, and St. Augustine never fully dormant—spraying kills them.

Safe Alternative: Weed Wiper

1. Wrap old cotton towel/T-shirt around leaf rake tines.
2. Saturate with herbicide.
3. “Paint” onto weeds growing above dormant grass.
4. Works on ANY winter-dormant grass.

Results appear in weeks. No spray drift, no turf damage.

How to Check Dormancy

Get on hands and knees. If any green at base of bermudagrass, do NOT spray.

Centipedegrass shows green growth after 2 weeks of 25–40°F

Bermudagrass not completely dormant

Suspected glyphosate damage

Homemade weed wiper