Pre-Emergent Herbicides
Pre-emergent (or pre-emerge) herbicides are a very useful tool to reduce weeds. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison talks about how to use pre-emergents. Most pre-emergents work by preventing a germinating seed from growing roots. It does not kill weeds that are already growing.
Application timing is important. You need to apply the pre-emerge long before you see any weeds. Mike talks about the best times to apply pre-emergent in the spring and fall.
You need to make sure the pre-emerge is labeled for how you want to use it. There are grass pre-emergent and broadleaf pre-emergent herbicides. Also, you need to make sure the product you are using will not affect desirable plants in the area. The label will contain all this information.
There are liquid and granular pre-emerge herbicides. Mike prefers liquid because it is less expensive. The granular has an advantage in that it is less particular about when it needs to be watered in. All pre-emergents need to watered-in so they can be in the soil when the weeds germinate. How soon it needs to be watered in can be found on the label.
Mike referred to the publication "Lawn Weed Management" get that publication here
Related Resources:
Applying Pre-Emergent Herbicides to Lawns
Managing Weeds in Warm Season Lawns
Application timing is important. You need to apply the pre-emerge long before you see any weeds. Mike talks about the best times to apply pre-emergent in the spring and fall.
You need to make sure the pre-emerge is labeled for how you want to use it. There are grass pre-emergent and broadleaf pre-emergent herbicides. Also, you need to make sure the product you are using will not affect desirable plants in the area. The label will contain all this information.
There are liquid and granular pre-emerge herbicides. Mike prefers liquid because it is less expensive. The granular has an advantage in that it is less particular about when it needs to be watered in. All pre-emergents need to watered-in so they can be in the soil when the weeds germinate. How soon it needs to be watered in can be found on the label.
Mike referred to the publication "Lawn Weed Management" get that publication here
Related Resources:
Applying Pre-Emergent Herbicides to Lawns
Managing Weeds in Warm Season Lawns