The best pre-emergent weed control practices focus entirely on prevention. If the weeds never grow, they can’t spread to new areas of your lawn. For that kind of program to work, the treatments must be applied before the seeds of weeds germinate.
Saying Goodbye to Summer Weeds
One of the most aggressive summer weeds in Georgia is crabgrass. It will put even the best pre-emergent weed control products to the test. Once it arrives, it quickly eats up half of your yard. That’s especially frustrating for homeowners who thought they were properly treating their lawns to prevent it from sprouting.
The problem is that many of the best pre-emergent weed control products are mislabeled for the weeds you’re trying to fight. While many sprout at 52 degrees, crabgrass germinates at 50. Therefore, the time to apply your pre-emergent treatment may be weeks earlier than you realize. Those in the Cummings area should be safe applying treatments in early March. However, many in the southern part of the state would have missed the ball by then.
Winter Weed Control: When to Apply the Best Pre-Emergent Weed Control Products
Chickweed, bluegrass and other common winter weeds germinate in early fall. You should apply your pre-emergent formulas in early to mid-September. You want to do this before you aerate your lawn or apply the last fertilizer of the season. You’ll also want to keep your pre-emergent formula separate from any lime you might be adding to your yard’s soil.
Professional Pre-emergent Schedules
As much as you may love your lawn, chances are you don’t want to go through the rigor of applying treatments every weekend or even once a month. If you did, sourcing the best products would be next to impossible without professional credentials. As part of the consumer market, you’re forced to settle for products that are safe to use, moderately effective, and generally easy to apply with traditional yard working tools. The same isn’t said for professionals.
Pros have a wider range of products available—as well as the tools and training to put them to best use. You may even find your lawn care provider has a different schedule for pre-emergent maintenance. Some clients become concerned that they don’t need as many treatments as they’re receiving, and they worry unduly over health or budget concerns. They forget that the treatments available to consumers are quite different from what is used by industry pros.
For instance, you may only do two applications a year using a slow-release formula, which also fertilizes your lawn. A professional may begin treatments in winter, applying pre-emergents for crabgrass twice before the temperature rises high enough for seeds to germinate. The next treatment may be aimed at controlling broadleaf weeds or crawlers that stay dormant until temperatures rise. In fall two pre-emergent treatments are typically needed for winter grass weeds and other common invasive growers.
These types of treatments allow for fighting weeds as they really develop and grow, without the need for convenience built into so many consumer products.
Now that we’re into early spring, it’s tree and shrub trimming time. Just don’t forget about the best pre-emergent weed control methods. If you’d rather leave this task to the pros, just Think Green! Call us at (678) 648-2556 today.
