Little Barley is a cool season annual weed. This grassy weed has the same life cycle as winter wheat. It germinates in the fall – Lays low over winter – then produces a seed head (like wheat) in spring before it dies in summer heat. In a mowed lawn this grassy weed will grow prostate – hugging the ground making it difficult to physically remove.
Many dog owners have problems with this grassy weed as the awn (part of the seed head) gets caught up in the dog’s paw – causing as infection – requiring surgery.
Many people mistake little barley for a foxtail because their seedheads are similar. However, little barley is a winter annual that comes up in late September – October and spends the winter as a small plant. It thrives in the cooler spring temperatures, forms seed heads and dies out usually by June. Foxtail, on the other hand, is a summer annual that does well in hot weather. and produces seedheads mid- to late-summer.
Control of this grassy weed requires our premium lawn service – and years of service to achieve control.
