DIY Tips on Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent Herbicides
If you consider yourself a DIY type around the yard, you may have decided to go it alone when it comes to handling your lawn. If so, you’ll need to arm yourself with the knowledge on how to treat weeds of all kinds and at various stages in their growth. Let Twelve Oaks Landscape provide you with a few nuggets of information when it comes to the use of pre-emergent vs. post-emergent products for your turf. Our experienced team can help you determine the differences between the most important herbicides you can apply to keep those pesky weeds at bay.
Pre-Emergent Herbicides
Best used in the early spring, pre-emergent herbicides should be applied before weeds begin to grow and the weather turns warm, says Do it Yourself. This type of product provides a protective barrier around seeds, which prevents them from germinating and growing. Use this type of herbicide only when the temperature is below 60 degrees F, either by spraying it with a liquid or spreading it with a granulated version. Soil tends to take to both forms equally, so it’s really a personal preference which one you choose. Because water spreads those granules, wait just before a rain storm to do this, or use your sprinkler system to disperse it.
Pre-emergent herbicides are best for weeds such as crabgrass that sprout each year from new seeds. These herbicides are not very good, on the other hand, for perennial plants like quack grass due to their deep root systems that take hold and come back year after year.
Post-Emergent Herbicides
Post-emergent herbicides should be used once the spring season has gotten underway and you start to see weeds and plants growing. It’s too late at this point to use pre-emergents because the germination process has already begun. When you apply a post-emergent, it gets into the root system via the plant stalk. Spray the liquid right onto the weeds, but do it after tearing or pulling away the weed so as to open up the structure and better allow the herbicide to enter. If you choose to spread granular post-emergent, apply it with a spreader and then turn on the sprinklers for even distribution.
You’ll need to apply post-emergent herbicide regularly throughout the spring. Do it one last time in late fall to prevent weeds from sprouting the following year. Keep in mind, there are two kinds of herbicides: specific and non-specific. Specific herbicides are what most homeowners use to target a particular weed or area. Non-specific herbicides kill all plants they touch, and are best used by contractors or landscapers looking to clear a large area.
Get in Touch
Choosing which herbicide to use can be daunting, but Twelve Oaks Landscaping can help. If you ultimately decide not to tackle the never-ending job of keeping your lawn in tip-top shape by yourself, we can lend a hand. Call us today at (256) 208-5634 to request a quote or ask us questions about your lawn care.
