by Even though it’s January and spring is still far away, it’s time to think about getting weed controls in the ground now to prevent spring weeds.
For Baldwin or Mobile County homeowners, January through March 1 is the window of opportunity to get pre- and post-emergent weed control down.
The Difference between Pre- and Post-Emergent Weed Controls
Your local lawn care company in southern Alabama applies a mixture of pre-emergent and post-emergent weed controls on your lawn.
Why?
Because the pre-emergent forms a barrier in the soil to block crabgrass seedlings from germinating. If there is any crabgrass forming below ground, it can’t get past the barrier to become a full-size weed above ground.
Did you know that a lawn sprinkler can save you money on your water bill?
Conversely, the post-emergent part of the weed control kills broadleaf weeds that sprung up since fall. If you didn’t get pre-emergent back in then, this mix works to kill any existing weeds that popped up this winter.
The post-emergent will wipe out weeds through their foliage or by the plants absorbing the control through their root systems.
Why You Don’t Want to Wait
Weeds are basically “plants out of place.” For a thick, green lawn to be weed-free, it needs some help with weeds growing in the wrong place—your yard.
If you’re motivated to have a genuinely weed-free lawn, then you need to invest in weed controls at the time when they’ll work their best.
Since crabgrass doesn’t germinate until March, you have a two-month window to get the appropriate products in the ground to prevent it from developing.
Plus, if you have broadleaf weeds popping up on your lawn now, they’ll only continue to propagate throughout your yard beating out your warm season turf.
By the way, the pre- and post-emergent weed controls that your local lawn service applies to your yard is different from “weed and feed” products that you can buy at a local garden center or a big box retailer.
Weed and feed products contain fertilizer and pre-emergent weed control. Since everyone’s lawn is different, you may end up buying an inferior product that doesn’t keep weeds away or cause too much turf top growth.
Read more about pre-emergent weed control in this blog post.
Plus, if you aren’t sure how to apply weed and feed, you could end up damaging your lawn. The fertilizer in weed and feeds has a high concentration of nitrogen for a quick green up that doesn’t encourage deep root growth—one of the keys for maintaining a healthy lawn.
Instead, a professional lawn service uses only the best quality of weed controls and fertilizers. Plus, your lawn technician understands turfgrass science and the timing for products designed to produce a healthy, green turf.
You Need Xtreme Turf Lawn Care for All of Your Lawn Care Needs
Xtreme Turf Lawn Care serves Baldwin and Mobile Counties in southern Alabama. The technicians at Xtreme Turf understand the needs of your lawn.
Right now, it’s time to get a mix of pre-emergent and post-emergent weed controls applied to your lawn. You want to get rid of any broadleaf weeds that popped up on your lawn this winter as well as preventing crabgrass from germinating in April.
Make your weed control appointment today by calling us at 251-648-9947 or by filling out our contact form.
Xtreme Turf Lawn Care serves homeowners in Daphne, Fairhope, Foley, Gulf Shore, Loxley, Mobile, Saraland, and Spanish Fort, AL.
Source:
Cornell Horticulture, “Lawn Myth Busting: Skip Spring ‘Weed and Feed.’”
