Weed Control After Seeding
You can control weeds in newly planted grass seed and seedlings without the use of herbicides. Manually pulling the weeds by hand when they first appear keeps them from producing seeds and prevents the problematic plants from spreading, according to the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program website. They suggest keeping the newly planted grass weed free with proper mowing, irrigation and fertilization. Since newly planted turfgrass has short roots, keep the root zone moist by watering the soil lightly. However, avoid over saturating the soil. After the turfgrass has become established, promote deep and healthy root growth by watering infrequently but deeply.
Choosing The Best Weed Killer For Lawns
Before choosing the best weed killer for your lawn, youll have to determine exactly what type of weed youre dealing with.
Different weed types require different treatmentswhats effective for one may do little or no damage to another.
There are three main types of weeds: Broadleaf, Grassy, and Grass-like.
Broadleaf Weeds have broad, flat leaves, and thrive in soil thats lacking key nutrients. They come in different typesannual, biennial, and perennial, so different Broadleaf Weed varieties require different herbicides depending on their life cycle.
Examples of Broadleaf Weeds include Dandelions, Clover, Chickweed, Dollarweed, Thistles, and Oxalis.
Grassy Weeds, as their name suggests, have leaves that look like grass blades and they grow one at a time. Examples of Grassy Weeds include Wintergrass, Crabgrass, Goosegrass, and Foxtail.
Grass-like Weeds resemble grass, but their leaves are more tube-like and triangular than flat. Examples of Grass-like Weeds include Garlic, Nutsedge, and Wild Onion.
Here is a selection of weed killers to use on the different weed types.
Why Do Most People Prefer Applying A Weed Killer In Late August Or Early September
Late August or September, while there is still some warmth around, is one of the gardeners favorite times for full lawn weed control. If you only need one application per year, this is the time period to consider.
Why and how to apply a weed killer in late August:
- Most weeds are already grown completely
- The spring seeds in the lawn are already germinated by this time
- Easier to kill than winter-hardened weeds in early spring
- The lawn should be fertilized before the application to improve its effect
- When there is moisture in the topsoil. Otherwise, you may harm the grass
- When it is going to rain for 6 hours
- Wet grass may dilute the weed killer, so apply only on dry grass
- It is recommended to apply only in calm weather. Otherwise, wind may blow the substance away
- Do not spread the weed killer in freezing conditions
- Avoid extreme heat and strong sunshine
- During the late summer, it is better to use a weed killer in the cooler evenings
- Consider applying a weed killer after mowing. You should wait for 2 days if you intend to apply a liquid herbicide. After the application, do not mow for the next 3 days
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Should I Mow Before Applying Weed And Feed
The question is, do you have to cut your grass before applying the weed & feed? If youve been following our blog for a while, you know that the answer is always it depends.
It depends on the type of weeds youre trying to get rid of, the species of grass you have, the phase of the season when youre applying herbicide, how the herbicide works, and, of course, how you mow.
If you have large broad leafed weeds, and are using a post-emergent product, then its best not to mow too short before putting down weed and feed, better to have a larger leaf area for the product to work on.
If you are going to be using a pre-emergent product, you can cut the grass not less than 2 days before application, then water it in, as it needs to get under the surface to start working.
So, the general rule is only mow at least 2 days before you apply weed & feed products, and dont mow before 2 days after the weed and feed application.
Should I Spray Weed Killer Before Or After Mowing
You can spray the weeds after mowing, but its better to mow before you spray them. The herbicide is less effective when the grass is cut with a lawnmower. If the weeds are cut, its much harder to pull them out.
If you dont have a mower, you can use a garden hoe to remove weeds from your lawn. Youll need to be careful not to over-mow the lawn, as this can damage the soil and cause erosion. If youre going to cut your grass, make sure you do it in a well-ventilated area.
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What Are The Best Conditions When Applying Weed Killer
Both the season and the changing weather conditions, day-by-day, impact weed killers effectiveness.
Weve already mentioned the importance of changing seasons and the amount of moisture in the soil when using weed killer. The other ideal conditions for applying weed killer are:
- When its unlikely to rain for at least six hours
You dont want the weed killer to become diluted from the rain. This will cause the herbicide to be less effective when its taken up by the plant.
- During calm weather
A gust of wind can blow the spray away from the intended area. A calmer day when you can target the specific area is preferable.
- Mild weather – avoid strong sunshine, frost or freezing temperatures
Weed killers perform better in hot rather than cold weather, but both extremities are difficult.
Hot, dry weather encourages weed hardiness and growth, which reduces the movement of herbicide into and throughout the plant. If youre using herbicide-based weed killers, the hot weather will make it less effective, which is why you should target weeds in Spring or Fall.
And cold weather also isnt practical. Plants break down herbicides using their metabolism. But plant metabolism slows down in cold conditions. This then extends the amount of time it takes for the plant to react to the herbicide and be killed.
Herbicide Application With Dew On The Ground
Similar to after a rain, morning dew can provide just the right environment for certain kinds of weed killers to perform at their best. Granular options can start working immediately upon coming in contact with morning dew.
Its also commonly understood that weeds appear happiest after receiving a bit of that morning moisture and are ripe to receive more. But, in this case, it may be in the form of a liquid herbicide thats formulated to work in wet conditions.
Ones that are not considered effective for use in wet conditions may get diluted by morning dew beyond the point of effectiveness. So, be sure to read the manufacturers rainfast recommendations.
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Does Rain Affect Herbicide
Yes, rain affects herbicide efficacy because rainwater simply washes it away from the surfaces that need treatment. This is why it is not advised to spray weeds when its raining or right before its about to rain.
Herbicides need to be absorbed into the leaves to kill the unwanted plants. Some herbicides need a dry, rain-free period of up to 6 or 8 hours for the solution to soak in, and these requirements should be indicated on the package. Other stronger brands like Roundup only need 30 minutes on the leaves to be effective, and rainfall after that time wont stop the product from working correctly.
Here are some more timing tips when it comes to herbicides:
- Spraying immediately after it rains is not also advised. You need to wait for the leaves to dry before spraying for the product to work. Applying right after rain is similar to spraying before the rain, simply because the weeds are still wet and the herbicide is washed away. The droplets of rain can also dilute the herbicide and make it less effective.
- If you decide to apply herbicide 30 minutes or more before the rain, you may want to check the wind conditions too. Avoid spraying weeds if the wind has picked up ahead of a storm, or in any particularly breezy conditions. Wind can cause the herbicide to drift and cause damage to plants you dont plan on killing.
Safety Rules When Using A Weed Killer
Can a weed killer harm a person? The instructions for herbicides always indicate the level of danger and toxicity to humans. All substances that are part of the selected product have various degrees of toxicity.
Mostly, the herbicides are medium-toxic to humans. But they can be very bad for little kids and pets, especially liquid products. Thats why, herbicide treatments must be applied only when you wear protective clothes, rubber gloves, respirators, and goggles.
Important advice: when using a weed killer, protect mucous membranes and exposed skin from any contact with the grass killer.
What are the effects of weed killer on skin? Rash and redness is possible. Wash with water if you have a herbicide on skin.
If the herbicide enters the mucous membranes, the digestive tract should be washed with plenty of water vomit and then consult a doctor.
After the application of a weed killer, the sprayer is thoroughly washed with a solution of detergent until the full removal of the products residue.
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How Soon After Rain Should I Spray Weed Killer
Every herbicide that is not formulated to work with rainfall should include whats known as a rainfast period on its label. This represents how much time should pass between application and rainfall. Following this guideline will ensure the best possible product performance.
Keep in mind that these directions are typically based on lawns growing in healthy soil and environmental conditions. Weeds growing in poor soil may require a longer period of time between application and the onset of rain. This is due to these weeds taking longer to absorb the herbicide.
Weed Control Prior To Turf Establishment
A nonselective herbicide should be used to kill existing weeds such as contaminant bermudagrass or nutsedge, which must be eradicated prior to grass establishment. These nonselective herbicides control only emerged plants. For best results, apply two treatments of a nonselective herbicide 14 days apart.
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How Often Can I Spray Weed Killer On My Lawn
Our recommended weed killers Resolva and Weedol suggest only one treatment per year but if you use each one once that allows you two full lawns in a year.
If you have a lot of weeds in your lawn, you may want to consider using a weed killer that will kill all of the weeds at once.
If you dont have the time or money to do that, then you can use a combination of two or more of these products to get the job done.
Types Of Weed Killers
The chemical weedkillers most commonly used on lawns can be formulated to kill broadleaf weeds like dandelions and chickweed, or they can be designed to kill other competing grass-like weeds, such as crabgrass, quackgrass, and nutgrass. There are also combination products, containing the chemicals to kill both broadleaf weeds as well as grassy weeds.
Beyond this, chemical herbicides come in two general categories: pre-emergent and post-emergent. A pre-emergent herbicide is a weed killer applied prior to the germination of the weed seed and the subsequent emergence of the weed seedling from the soil. Pre-emergent herbicides are sometimes applied in the late fall in warm-weather regions, but in cold-weather regions, they are usually applied in the early spring before the turf grasses have begun to actively grow. One advantage of pre-emergent weed killers is that they can prevent mid and late-summer weeds, such as plantains, before they even appear.
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How Soon After Rain Can I Spray Weeds
Essentially, you want to make sure you dont spray weeds when theyre wet whether thats from rainfall, irrigation or dew.
Waiting for the leaves to dry may take hours and sometimes it will take longer when the weather is cooler. Thats not always convenient, but it does mean you wont be wasting your time or your money applying an ineffective chemical.
Still, always make sure to spray after the leaves have dried, and if it does rain again unexpectedly after applying your herbicide, you may need to repeat the application.
How Can Foamstream Help
If youre trying to eliminate weeds, it can be frustrating to have to wait until particular times of year and perfect weather conditions for the solution to be most effective.
Ideally, you want a weed killer that is consistently effective throughout the year. Additionally, your weed killer should require minimal treatment cycles so you can get rid of your weeds quickly and easily. And with the uncertainty around the dangers of herbicide, a glyphosate alternative weed killer is also ideal.
For controlling and killing weeds all year round, Foamstream is one of the most effective solutions available. As a herbicide-free weed killer, Foamstream isnt affected by external conditions such as the season, conditions on the day, or the life cycle of the plant.
In addition, when considering the treatment cycle necessary, you only need three treatments per year to keep your weeds under control. Alternative herbicide-free weed control methods – hot water, steam and boiling, take 6, 12 and 14 repetitions annually, respectively.
Particularly if your weeds are already out of control and you dont know how best to keep them regulated, Foamstream offers the perfect solution.
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When And How To Apply Weed Killer To Your Lawn
There are two types of weed killer. Pre-emergent and Post-emergent. Apply a pre-emergent before you see weeds. Apply Post-emergent when weeds are actively growing and you can see them but before the real heat of summer arrives for best results.
Pre-emergent herbicides do not prevent the germination of the seed, but help control it so that it will not sprout. Due to the way herbicides work, application timing is the most important aspect of weed prevention success.
Prevention is key for Crabgrass. Click HERE to buy online. Always follow the directions on the package.
What Is Weed And Feed And What Types Are There
Weed and feed is a special type of fertilizer that at the same time nurtures the grass and destroys the weed. There are many different types of weed and feed out there, and before choosing the right one, you have to know about the impact of different types of fertilizers. For example, if you want to know when to weed and feed.its important to check if your weed and feed fertilizer are pre-emergent or post-emergent, as those two types have different timing.
As you probably already guessed, pre-emergent types affect only have an effect on the weeds seed, and wont be useful if your green corner already has grown weeds. Meanwhile, post-emergent weed n feed types affect already developed weed. And sure, with the proper use, you can combine both types. However, be sure to make a pause between the two applications.
Other than that, you can sometimes find some specialized fertilizers, like a weed and feed for St.Augustine grass, for example.
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Herbicides For Summer Annual Grass Control
Summer annual grasses are primarily controlled with herbicides that are applied “Preemergence” to the weeds. These herbicides are applied to the turf and prevent the germination of weed seeds. For effective control these herbicides must be applied prior to weed germination which generally occurs around mid-April in New Jersey. These herbicides are generally applied as granular formulations on a fertilizer carrier. For best results insure good, uniform coverage by applying half the recommended rate in two directions and water in immediately and thoroughly after chemicals are applied.
The most common preemergence herbicides available to homeowners contain the active ingredients: benefin , benefin + trifluralin , bensulide , DCPA , pendimethalin , and siduron . Only Tupersan is safe to use on newly seeded turf in the spring. The other herbicides may only be applied to well established turf.
Herbicide products containing the active ingredient methanearsonate, which is an organic arsenical, are available for control of crabgrass after it germinates. For best results apply these products to young actively growing crabgrass. As crabgrass becomes larger it will be more difficult to control. Repeat applications at 10 to 14 day intervals may be required for complete control. Expect to see some yellowing on desired turfgrass.
How To Use Weedkillers
Using weedkillers is often simple providing you read and follow the detailed instructions that are clearly printed on every weedkiller pack. Unless you are using a hand sprayer or a Pull & Spray pack, you will need to:
Use a watering can
With a fine rose or a weedkiller sprinkle bar that will give you effective control over where you apply the weedkiller. Remember a separate watering can is advisable if accidental damage to other plants during normal watering is to be avoided.
Use a pressure sprayer
These are amazing for treating large areas. Always read the label to find out which application method is suitable for the product you want to use. Do not walk across treated areas until dry, to avoid the transfer of products onto desired plants.
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Caring For Your New Lawn After Germination
As your new lawn becomes established, you can start easing up on the water, depending on the weather. If you continue your everyday watering routine, youre likely to overdo it and rot the young seedlings. Also, if the ground is too wet, you can inhibit root growth.
When you have a pretty even ground cover of new seedlings, try skipping a day of watering and see what happens. Watch the grass carefully. If the color starts to go from bright green to dull gray green, the grass needs water. You may have to water some quick-to-dry areas with a handheld hose.
If the grass doesnt dry out, keep stretching the intervals between watering until youre on a schedule of once or twice a week, or as needed. When you do water, dont forget to water deeply, getting the moisture down 6 to 8 inches.
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