As we inch closer towards the fall months, most people are thinking of the upcoming holidays, festivities, and cooler weather, but there is one thing homeowners can do for their lawns that will be a major benefit during the winter months and during the spring greenup: apply a pre-emergence herbicide. While lawns are getting ready to go dormant, winter annuals are close to emerging. These winter annuals will germinate in the fall, grow slowly during the winter, and begin to flower in the spring.
Commons weeds found in turf during winter months are dandelions, henbit, purple deadnettle, chickweed, annual bluegrass, etc. By applying a pre-emergence herbicide, you can take care of the weeds before they even become a problem.
Pre-emergence herbicides work incredibly well to suppress or prevent weeds from even coming up when applied at the right time.
Pre-emergence herbicides are different than post-emergence herbicides in that the pre-emergence do not allow the weeds to germinate in the first place, and post-emergence herbicides require homeowners to attack weeds after they are already a problem. Again, the key is timing. If weeds have already germinated then a pre-emergence herbicide will not work.
The herbicide label will give more specific time frames, but between now and the beginning of November is a great time to get ahead of the weeds. Additionally, pre-emergence herbicides need one quarter to one half inch of rain or irrigation in order for it to work properly.
For Centipede and St. Augustine lawns, atrazine is a wonderful product; however, be careful not to overapply the product and do not apply during the spring greenup.
For bermudagrass or zoysia lawns, products with the active ingredient pendimethalin, oryzalin or benefin will work well. No matter which product you select, be sure to read and follow the label. If you need assistance figuring out how much to apply you can always contact your county extension agent.
We all know that life gets busy, especially around this time of the year, so if you forget to apply your pre-emergence herbicide, there are numerous products you can apply after germination to help prevent those weeds from going to seed and creating more weeds in your future.
Even though your lawn is dormant in the winter, applying the wrong herbicide or a high rate can cause damage to your lawn. If you have any questions please contact the Jones County Extension office at (478) 986-3958 or email brennan4@uga. edu. If you’d like to learn more about lawn care and maintenance, be sure to contact the Extension office to register for an upcoming lawn care program.
