Weeds are pesky bits of unwanted growth that can mar the beauty of the most well-manicured lawn. They can create headaches for the homeowner and the lawn care companies. Weeds are not pretty and then have a potentially devastating effect on the entire lawn if allowed to spread, of course. The weeds will compete with your grass for sunlight, water, air and essential nutrients. An infestation can become uncontrollable pretty quickly so you have to take action. If you apply weed pre-emergents too late and the herbicide will be ineffective. In this article, we’ll delve into the importance of weed pre-emergents and help you determine the best course of action to take in the event of weed overgrowth on your lawn.
All experts agree that waiting too late to use a weed pre-emergent is not going to help you or your lawn. Following a few simple tips about using the right treatment at the right time will ensure your lawn is properly nourished all year long. Pre-emergent herbicides for weed treatment must attack the weeds while they’re still seeds, thus, eliminating unwanted plants before they begin to germinate.
When applying weed pre-emergents, geography, Mother Nature and soil temperature are just a few of the factors. In Central Texas, you should be applying weed pre-emergents for crabgrass and grassburs in the middle of March. A second spring application should occur right before spring turns into summer – about June 15th. Fall application of weed pre-emergents should be applied if you’re working with cool-season grassy weeds in mid-September. Your soil should be in the low to mid 50s if at all possible when applying weed pre-emergents.
If you apply fertilizer along with the pre-emergent weed killer, do them a few days apart. Apply the fertilizer first and water it deeply into the soil. Then, wait a few days and apply the pre-emergent granules. Water lightly.
When they are properly watered in, pre-emergent herbicides will form a thin barrier in the top layer of the soil. When a weed seed germinates and comes into contact with the chemical, it will probably be destroyed. A uniform coverage of the chemical must be provided in the locations where you want to deny weeds from getting a foothold.
A few things to remember about weed pre-emergents:
- Pre-emergent weed control works by inhibiting the development of newly germinated seeds.
- The herbicide doesn’t prohibit germination; rather, the barrier you’ve set up stops the development of weed seeds.
- You don’t have to apply the weed pre-emergent to the whole yard, just the trouble spots.
- Water your weed pre-emergents after you lay them down to create the barrier against germination.
- Too much rainfall or not enough and break the herbicide down more quickly than expected. You may need to make a repeat application.
Having trouble keeping all this straight? Don’t worry – Emerald Lawns knows when and how to apply weed pre-emergents to your lawn for maximum benefit. Give us a call today at 512-990-2199 for more information.
