Benefits of Pre-Emergent Herbicides
Weeds are not pretty.
They are burdensome and, if not treated with precaution, can become a major headache. That is why taking a proactive stance against weeds can be a game-changer when it comes to taking care of your lawn. We are here to share some benefits you may see when choosing to use pre-emergent on your lawn this spring or fall.
When to Apply Pre-Emergent
Should you make the wise decision to apply pre-emergent, now you have to know when you can apply it. The best time to use pre-emergent is in the Spring (February-March) and the Fall (September-November). These application dates will be most effective for winter and summertime weeds, respectively. This does not mean that all weeds germinate at the same time. It could be possible that you may have to try another application in there somewhere, but generally, it is best to stick to these more moderate months.
Why?
According to Dr. Rebecca Grubbs-Bowling, assistant professor and turfgrass specialist at Texas A&M University, “Timing is key.” And during the above-mentioned time frames, the soil is roughly in the 50-55 degree range, making it the perfect candidate to start applying pre-emergent. Also, the University of California, Davis Integrated Pest Management department states, “Timing of a pre-emergent herbicide application is determined by when the target weed germinates, or by when the weed is in the stage that is most sensitive to the herbicide. In general, late summer/early fall applications of pre-emergent herbicides are used to control winter annuals. In contrast, late winter/early spring applications control summer annuals and seedlings of perennial weeds. If heavy rainfall occurs after pre-emergent herbicide application or a short-residual (short-acting) product was applied, a second pre-emergent herbicide application may be needed. Generally, herbicides degrade faster under wet, warm conditions than under dry, cool conditions. Some pre-emergent herbicides, such as Surflan, need to be applied at a higher rate if the soil is high in organic matter due to binding with the organic matter. Check the herbicide label to recommendations about what rate to use depending on your soil type.” You can use this online tool to find out what the average soil temperature in your area is.
Pre-Emergent Kills Weeds without Harming the Grass
Generally, weeds can re-germinate for multiple years. The lengthy time span can appear as if the battle is never-ending. However, it doesn’t have to be when using pre-emergent. You can rest assured that your lawn won’t suffer at the expense of weed control. That is because pre-emergent is activated in the top layer of the soil where these weeds tend to sprout, and it kills them before they become an issue. Now, if you want to get technical, pre-emergent doesn’t actually kill weed seeds before germination. In fact, what they actually do is interrupt the weeds’ growth process in some peculiar way to prevent the seed from completely going through the seed germination stage.
Weed Infestations Lessen with each Pre-Emergent Treatment
Repeated treatments will allow for fewer infestations. As you continue to address the problem, you will notice that there is less of an issue each time. Again, this does not mean that you can altogether stop with the treatment, but it does mean that it may require less.
When it comes to applying pre-emergent, it’s best to leave it to a professional. Many other questions have to be considered carefully: Do I use a granular or liquid pre-emergent? A selective or non-selective product? Have peace of mind knowing that at The Growing Company, our personnel is fully capacitated to address all pre-emergent questions and problems regarding your landscapes’ specific needs. Leave it up to us to assess which product will be most beneficial for you. And allow us to execute the job properly. Leaving out a tiny spot could be detrimental because if you give a weed, an inch-it will take a yard!