Did you know that Southern Alabama lawns get two pre-emergent weed treatments per year? One is in the spring and the second on is in the fall.

Grassy weeds, such as Poa Annua (annual bluegrass) germinates in fall and crabgrass will start germinating soon. When grassy weeds start to germinate, their shoots pop out of the ground before their root systems begin to develop.

And if you didn’t get your fall pre-emergent treatment, your yard is at a higher risk for grassy weeds to germinate soon since there was no barrier in the soil to stop their roots from forming.

In this article, you’ll learn why it’s vital to receive a spring pre-emergent treatment on your winter lawn.

Pre-Emergent Weed Control

First, you need to know what pre-emergent weed control is and how it works. When we at Xtreme Turf Lawn Care apply pre-emergent to your lawn, the weed control absorbs into the ground to form a barrier.

Since grassy weeds don’t develop roots when they emerge from the soil, this barrier, created by the pre-emergent treatment, will not allow their roots to develop in the soil.

And when a plant doesn’t have a root system to take in nutrients and moisture, it will die.

Read more about year-round weed control for 2018 in this blog post.

At Xtreme Turf, we recommend that your Fairhope or Daphne lawn gets two applications of pre-emergent per year: Once in October to control winter grassy weeds, and again in February to control summer weeds.

If you didn’t opt for the winter pre-emergent weed control, it’s important to get your pre-emergent treatment early in February to stop any leftover winter weed seeds from germinating.

Read more about why fall pre-emergent weed treatments are vital for a healthy lawn.

Since pre-emergents lose their effectiveness by the end of winter, you may still need a pre-emergent treatment for your lawn by mid- to late February—well before your Bermuda grass lawn comes out of dormancy.

Why Grassy Weeds are Bad for Your Mobile, AL Yard

Grassy weeds not only make your lawn look messy, but they take up resources, such as nutrients and moisture that help your South Alabama lawn emerge and green up in early spring.

The ever-present Poa Annua and crabgrass also can take over your lawn, leaving your yard a messy wasteland.

In our balmy climate, spring arrives early. So, pre-emergent and post-emergent weed controls are necessities to stop pesky weeds in their tracks.

All pre-emergent weed control needs to be applied well before March 1st. Why?

Because Bermuda, Centipede, St Augustine and Zoysia grass will come out of dormancy in March, and any applications of weed control will kill off healthy lawn grass too.

In April through September, we start post-emergent weed treatments to all Southern Alabama lawns for broadleaf weeds.

In May through September, we’ll apply post-emergent weed treatments to all broadleaf weeds as well as any grassy weeds that developed before pre-emergent treatments were applied.

While the calendar may say that February is still considered a winter month, in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, it’s early spring. Don’t forget to make your pre-emergent weed control appointment, so you avoid any weed invasions.

If you live in Baldwin or Mobile County in Alabama, you need Xtreme Turf Lawn Care to apply pre-emergent weed treatments to your lawn this February. Call us today at 251-648-9947 or fill out our free estimate form.

Xtreme Turf Lawn Care serves the following cities in Baldwin and Montgomery Counties, AL: Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shores, Loxley, Mobile, Saraland and Spanish Fort.

Source:

Alabama Cooperative Extension System, “Bermudagrass Home Lawn Maintenance Calendar for South Alabama.”