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Five Things You Need to Know About Pre-Emergent Weed Control

What is the purpose of Pre-Emergent Weed Control?

Pre-emergent weed control is designed to prevent a variety of weeds before they appear. This is achieved by applying a protective layer of pre-emergent herbicide to your lawn, preventing the weeds from penetrating the soil barrier.

When Should I Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Control?

Throughout areas of the southeastern United States, like Raleigh, NC, it is important to apply pre-emergent weed control during the right time of year. If the herbicide is not applied prior to germination, it is not effective. This means the protective barrier MUST be applied before weeds have the opportunity to germinate.

At Canopy, we like to apply the first round of pre-emergent before “the dogwoods start blooming”. It can be weather dependent, but typically the best time to apply a pre-emergent weed control treatment in the southeast is during the months of February and March.

After March, you will be less likely to see good results from a pre-emergent weed treatment. The exception here of course, would be if it had been a particularly cold season, leaving seeds dormant longer.

How Long Does Pre-Emergent Weed Control Last?

‍Every product is a bit different. Typically, you can expect one treatment to last 3-5 months. However, Canopy recommends applying a split application approximately one month apart to maximize effectiveness.

It is also important to select a good product. If you are planning to try and treat your lawn yourself, always be sure to read the labels, so you understand how long the manufacturer suggests their product lasts. A professional landscaper will be able to answer this question for you.

What Types of Weeds Does Pre-Emergent Weed Control Treat?

Pre-emergent weed control is effective prior to germination on most all summer annual weed varieties. This includes common weeds like crabgrass.

Can Pre-Emergent Weed Control Harm My Lawn?

Pre-emergent weed control is not harmful to your lawn. If you plan to plant new seeds for ornamental plants to compliment your landscape, or new grass seed to your lawn, treatment should not be applied to those areas prior to germination.

Canopy’s professional landscape teams will take the time to answer any questions that you may have about herbicide treatments, the best time to apply them and what areas you should avoid.

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