Most weeds are classified as annuals, biennials, or perennials. Annuals complete their life cycle (germinate from seed, grow, flower, set seed, and die) in one year or less, biennials generally complete their life cycle in 2 years, and perennials live longer than 2 years.
Examples of winter annual weeds include chickweed, little mallow, and annual bluegrass. They germinate and actively grow during fall and winter, then produce seed and die by the hot summer months.
If allowed to set seed, annual winter weeds can continue to grow and spread every year. Many of these weeds can produce hundreds of seeds from a single plant that may germinate the following year if conditions are right.
Learn about control options in the UC IPM Pest Notes publications, Weed Management in Landscapes and Weed Management in Lawns.