TJ Cummings Ag & Natural Resource Agent
Spring is right around the corner, thank goodness, and it’s still too early to apply now, but start considering using a pre-emergence herbicide for control of spring annual weeds in lawns and improved pastures. These herbicides work by interfering with seedling germination and plant emergence to provide a barrier of protection at critical times for your desired plants. We know applying post-emergence herbicides to small, young plants is more economical and efficient than spraying large, mature ones, but using these “weed preventers” can increase weed control savings by reducing the weed population before it even gets started. Preemergence herbicides are significantly affected by soil temperature, soil moisture, and the targeted weed species. Most summer annual weeds germinate in the early spring when soil reaches about 55 degrees for several consecutive days in the upper 1-2 inches where weed seeds are lying and winter annuals germinate in the fall as soils cool to about 70 degrees. Waiting for application until soil temperatures and moisture are optimum for germination is critical to achieve the best results. Each herbicide will have mixing rates, controlled weed species, and application methods on their label. As always with herbicides, remember “the label is the law” when handling, mixing, applying, and storing them. As a word of caution, do not use preemergents in your vegetable garden or other areas you plan to plant any type seed. These herbicides work very well and I’d hate to see your veggies or flowers not even come up this spring!
Get in touch with me at [email protected]. edu or call (254) 629-2222 with questions or for more information. Till next time, ya’ll have a good day .
