Understanding weed control timing is critical to effectively managing spring lawn weeds. Ideally, you want to prevent as many weeds as possible. The goal is to create a protective barrier in the soil before giving weed seeds a chance to germinate.
By taking this proactive approach, you can drastically reduce the number of weeds in your lawn.Jump to Section
Choosing Lawn Care & Weed Control in Tupelo, Oxford or New Albany, MS
But this is where timing will be critical. Knowing the “best temperatures to start lawn care” (more specifically, pre-emergents) will be important. Weeds like crabgrass usually germinate when soil reaches temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees, hence the “race against 55 degrees.”
In this article, we’ll answer some other commonly asked questions about when to apply weed control to help set you up for success. Creating an optimal lawn care schedule for New Albany, Mississippi, will help ensure the weed-free lawn you desire.
Knowing when to apply weed control is important. At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we apply weed control products year-round, so there isn’t a start-and-stop point, unlike in other parts of the country. We almost always deal with some type of weed here.
That said, the timing of pre-emergent controls (those designed to prevent weed germination) is critical.
At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we apply pre-emergent products three times per year. This includes two applications: one early in the year (starting in January/February) and another in the fall (usually between September and December).
This later pre-emergent application prevents winter weeds such as poa annua and early spring weeds such as burweed (“stickers”) and dandelions.
In addition to these three applications of pre-emergent control, we apply post-emergents year-round.
The simple answer is that pre-emergents should be applied PRIOR to germination. Pre-emergents work by dissolving and forming a thin barrier at the soil surface that intercepts germinating weed seeds.
When the germinating seed comes into contact with the product, it stops growing. This prevents many weeds from growing in the first place.
While weeds germinate at different rates, germination typically begins when soils consistently reach 55 degrees for at least 3 consecutive days.
We apply pre-emergents twice in early spring (usually starting in January/February, then again in March/April, and once in the fall (sometime between September and December).
Here in North Mississippi, where weeds are rampant year-round, it is never too late to start weed control. But you might be worried about whether it’s too late to apply pre-emergents.
As we’ve mentioned, timing for lawn care is important. Most weed seeds begin to germinate when soil temperatures consistently reach 55 degrees. That’s why you should aim to get pre-emergent products down before then.
If you miss the primary window to apply pre-emergents, you might think, “I’ll just wait until next year for lawn care.”
While we hear this a lot, we don’t recommend it. There are still plenty of things that you can do to help reduce the number of weeds in your lawn.
For one, you can still start to get existing weeds under control with post-emergent products. Post-emergent controls attack weeds that have already been growing in your lawn.
Why let your lawn get even more overrun while you sit around and wait?
Plus, the truth is, pre-emergents don’t always get everything. Even if you applied a pre-emergent product within the right time frame, breakthrough growth is still highly likely with aggressively growing weeds.
Breaks in the pre-emergent barrier, such as those caused by mowing/trimming, digging, dryness or cracking, or excessive rainfall, can lead to breakthrough weed growth.
Plus, on top of that, you can also invest in professional lawn fertilization, which will help you to start growing a thicker lawn that naturally crowds out weed growth.
The bottom line? Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today! Even if you can’t get rid of everything, you’ll be closer to your goals than choosing to do nothing at all!
There’s plenty of advice out there when it comes to weed control. However, not all weeds are the same, and treating them properly requires an understanding of your lawn, your unwelcome weeds and how the North Mississippi climate makes proper weed control unique in our area.
Yes, you can still address weeds even if you’ve missed the window to prevent them.
Post-emergent controls target weeds that are already growing. Some weeds also cannot be controlled with pre-emergents, so post-emergents are an important tool in your arsenal.
No, pre-emergent will not prevent all weeds from growing in your lawn. Pre-emergents only work on certain weeds that germinate from seeds. And as we’ve talked about, the timing of pre-emergent controls is vital to their success.
But even if you applied a pre-emergent product on time, breakthrough growth is still highly likely with aggressively growing weeds. The barrier formed by pre-emergent products is not entirely foolproof, and breaks will form due to weather, mowing, and other soil disturbances.
You can use post-emergents on any weeds that still end up germinating and growing, even if you have used pre-emergents for prevention.
Most homeowners know that crabgrass can be controlled with pre-emergents. But they are not the only weeds that can be prevented with these types of products.
Dandelion, clover, burweed, poa annua, crabgrass, chickweed, henbit, deadnettle, dallisgrass, goosegrass, spurge, lespedeza, and plantains can all be proactively controlled with pre-emergent herbicides.
Both fall and spring are important!
In fact, here in North Mississippi, we deal with many weeds year-round. That’s why it’s important to have a year-round weed control strategy that uses pre-emergents to prevent weeds and post-emergents to control those already growing.
Herbicides work best in ideal temperatures. The colder the temperature, the longer it takes for weeds to die.
Weed death can become evident as soon as seven days after treatment in the summer, and as long as twenty-one days after treatment in the winter. Be sure to follow any mowing instructions your technician leaves for you, as proper mowing is vital to weed control.
We know that you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing lawn care and weed control in North Mississippi. But making sure that you are happy with both the results and your experience is important.
There are lots of companies that can help you fertilize your lawn or treat your weeds. But you also want a company that treats you right.
You don’t want to have to make phone calls that go unanswered or work with a revolving door of technicians. You simply want to find a lawn care partner that you can trust.
You deserve this much for paying for their services.
At Lawn & Pest Solutions, we are here to help. If you have any questions, you can always reach out. Whether you choose our company or someone else, we want you to be happy with your decision.
Want to improve your lawn’s health and create a thicker, greener lawn that is more resistant to weeds? Lawn & Pest Solutions can help you with lawn care in North Mississippi. Get started today with a free quote. Together, we’ll customize a plan that gives you the most attractive lawn on the block.