When is the best time to use a Crabgrass Pre-emergant
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[quote:0e908c0f1e="Taylor"]When is the best time to use a Crabgrass Pre-emergant
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Crabgrass pre emergent herbicides are generally applied to lawns in our area between mid March and mid April, depending on the weather. And in some cases, again in 8-10 weeks after the initial application. Let me stress that there is a BIG window of opportunity to get this herbicide application on the lawn. So if you are using a lawn service, trust them to be making the right decisions on timing.

You�ll find pre emergents at your local garden center now. If your turf looks pretty good, then you need to think about getting that pre emergent herbicide down now to prevent problems later in the summer.

Pre emergents are specialized herbicides that create an invisible barrier over the soil that will prevent weed seed from being able to germinate.

More often than not the herbicide will be combined with a turf fertilizer. Generally we don�t recommend fertilizing in the springtime, because spring fertilization just creates succulent top growth, which makes you mow more.

But there are exceptions to every rule, in a situation where the grass planted last fall hasn�t filled in completely a spring fertilizer will help this grass fill in bare spots.

Read the label instructions carefully when you are applying herbicides and fertilizers; match your spreader type to the application rate on the bag.

The label on the bag will also tell you other important information. For instance: In order to be effective, the herbicide has to be watered in, so if we don�t get any rain within three weeks of application, you�ll have to water.

Once the herbicide goes down, it should not be disturbed by working the soil. Working the soil, turning it over or raking it, will �break � that herbicide barrier if you will, rendering the herbicide virtually ineffective.

The other caveat that you need to be concerned about when it comes to pre emergents is the reseeding issue. If you have bare spots in your lawn that you want to spot seed with a turfgrass, you can�t use pre emergents in those areas. A pre emergent herbicide is non-selective-by that I mean the herbicide can�t tell whether the germinating seed that it is destroying is a weed seed or a fescue seed.

You can try of course to avoid applying the herbicide any areas that you want to reseed, or go back over the areas that you want to reseed and disturb the soil to break the barrier. But there�s no real guarantee that this will work and it does create extra work.

It�s may be better to wait until late summer to do that reseeding, if you can live with the bare spots for that long. The other alternative is to take your chances with the crabgrass and apply a post emergent but then that�s going to be an issue of proper timing as well.

Does this herbicide hurt animals such as dogs when they go to do their business?

[quote:dafe230cb7="CardsFan"]Does this herbicide hurt animals such as dogs when they go to do their business?[/quote:dafe230cb7]

Always read the label directions very carefully and completely to determine any precautions you need to take and any potential safety hazards. All products are different.

Cindy,

Is it possible to buy the pre-emergent for crabgrass without the added fertilizer? If so, can you tell me where I can buy this product?
Thanks.