Having a lush, impeccable lawn is one of the joys of being a homeowner. To achieve this, regular lawn care, including expert weed control services, is essential. While mowing, watering and fertilizing are important, preventing weeds from taking root in the first place helps your grass thrive. Let’s explore how pre-emergent weed control helps maintain a vibrant healthy lawn.
In addition, applying a lawn pre-emergent at the right time and in the correct manner is crucial. By properly applying a quality pre-emergent to your lawn you can help prevent weeds from taking hold. Understanding what a lawn pre-emergent is and how it works is an important part of preventive maintenance.
How Pre-Emergent Weed Control Works
Weeds are not only unsightly in lawns, they also interfere with the healthy growth and spread of grass. Lawn pre-emergent herbicides are an effective way to control annual weeds. A pre-emergent targets seeds as they germinate, so weeds never emerge from the soil. However, pre-emergents will not be effective against weeds that are already growing, so any pre-emergent treatment must be applied before weed seeds get started.
Naturally, the right timing plays an important part in pre-emergent application. Seeds germinate at a specific soil temperature, usually around 50-55° F. Keeping this in mind will give you a general idea of when to apply pre-emergent in the spring and fall. In North Texas, spring pre-emergent application to effectively control summer annual weeds generally falls in late winter to early spring.
For fall application in North Texas, September to early October is usually the best window for controlling winter weeds. Either way, don’t wait too long or the weeds will already have sprouted, rendering the pre-emergent ineffective.
How to Ensure Effective Pre-Emergent Weed Control
Apply 1 inch of water after the pre-emergent application to activate the product. It’s not wise to depend on seasonal rainfall since it can be so unpredictable in North Texas. Note that both under-watering and over-watering the treated area will allow weeds to escape the pre-emergent’s control and survive. In fact, proper watering after herbicide application is a crucial part of achieving successful weed control.
Once the pre-emergent is applied, it’s important that the herbicide receives enough moisture as soon as possible to allow the chemical barrier to contact the soil. When the pre-emergent is not watered in promptly and is left exposed to sunlight for too long, the active ingredient in some herbicides will begin to break down, and the pre-emergent will not be effective in controlling weeds. Also, avoiding disruption to the treated area immediately after treatment and watering helps support optimal weed control.
Most importantly, read and follow all the instructions on your pre-emergent treatment carefully. Simply following the instructions on the label can solve or prevent most problems. Did you buy the right kind of herbicide for your specific need, and for the type of lawn you have? You may need to use an additional pre-emergent herbicide for different types of weeds. So when you aren’t sure which treatment to use for your lawn, for the best results consider investing in professional pre-emergent weed control treatments.
Finally, don’t skimp on quality. In a tight economy it’s easy to be tempted to save a few dollars. However, using lawn care professionals who follow the recommended herbicide schedule with high-quality solutions is crucial for inhibiting weed growth and maintaining a beautiful lawn year-round.
Keep Your Lawn Weed-Free With Green Top Lawn Care
Maintain a healthy, weed-free lawn with pre-emergent weed control services from Green Top Lawn Care. Our team of experienced professionals uses proven techniques and provides customized solutions to meet your lawn’s unique needs. Call (817) 684-4044 or request a free pre-emergent weed control quote today.
