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When To Spray Your Lawn For Weeds

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What You Might Need

How to Spot Spray Weeds in the Lawn

What you will need is a selective herbicide that targets broadleaf weeds like dandelions. A non-selective herbicide like Round Up will target everything including healthy grass, shrubs and bushes.

So, youâll want to avoid that unless you want to start over. Wait several weeks after treating an area with both types of herbicides before you can plant new grass seed because the herbicide will prevent new seed from germinating.

Even selective herbicides such as 2,4 D can do damage to shrubs and bushes, so be careful where you spray it.

There are two types of weed control: One is granular, and the other is liquid. The granular type is what you would likely get at Home Depot, Loweâs and other stores if youâre going to do it yourself. Scott’s Turf Builder weed and feed is an example of granular.

The liquid type is what you would likely buy to spot treat weeds. Ortho Weed B-Gon is a liquid spray that doesn’t contain fertilizer.

Lawn care companies may use either kind. If theyâre treating an entire lawn with liquid, it will probably contain a fertilizer to give your lawn a shot of nitrogen.

This time of year, grass is already green and growing like crazy. A fertilizer will help boost color and growth, and it’s also definitely good for helping a new lawn get established.

Avoid weed control on a new lawn until it is established.

As for the application, itâs always best to follow the instructions on the bag or bottle.

When To Apply Lawn Weed Killer

You will only kill weeds when they are actively growing. This means commencing sometime in May and finishing sometime in late September or early October.

I would not rush to apply lawn weed killer to the whole lawn in the early spring as there will be a lot of weeds that wont surface until later on. In early spring just spot or hand weed. For a good weed kill over a broad range of weeds in your lawn try starting in May. If you need to repeat the treatment you still have plenty of time before cold weather makes it impractical. Read the label of your weed killer to make sure repeat treatments are allowed.

A well fertilised lawn will help you get the most from your weed killer. In spring apply fertiliser in April and weed kill end of May or early June. In autumn feed 7-10 days before weed spraying.

One of my favourite times for complete lawn weed control is in late August or September whilst there is still some warmth around. I would recommend this if you just need the one application in the year. The reason for this is:

  • Most weed types are still around
  • The spring seeds in your lawn will have germinated so you get those as well
  • Killing weeds in autumn is easier than killing winter hardened weeds in spring
  • Youll have a weed free lawn until the next round of weed seeds germinate the following spring

When To Put Weed Killer On A Lawn

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The best time to control lawn weeds is when they’re actively growing, unless you’re trying to prevent weeds from appearing. In that case, you must apply a pre-emergence weed killer before the weeds begin to grow. Post-emergent weed killers control weeds that are already visible in the lawn. Wear protective clothing, including long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and safety goggles, when applying weed killers.

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Control Crab Grass With A Crab Grass Preventer In The Spring

  • Apply a crab grass pre-emergence preventer between the first and third mowings in the spring.
  • Preventers usually come as granules that you put on the lawn with a spreader.
  • Make notes in the fall about where your crab grass seems to thrive and treat those areas in the spring.
  • Once crab grass shows up in your lawn, you have three options:
  • Hand-pull the clumps to prevent the plant from reseeding itself.
  • Let the crab grass go until the following spring and then use a preventer at the right time.
  • Treat clumps with a post-emergence crab grass killer.

Weed And Feed Considerations

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The lawn improvement marketplace is full of convenient weed and feed products. However, these mixtures do not kill established weeds rather they use preemergent herbicides to impede weed germination. If you have an established weed problem, avoid the weed and feed mixtures and use the spot spray strategy. Overall, using herbicides and fertilizers separately allows you to control their application closely for the best lawn care.

References

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Whole Lawn Or Spot Treatment

  • If the weeds are sparse or limited to certain areas of the lawn it is not necessary to spray the whole lawn you can spot spray the weeds or only spray the affected areas.
  • Coarse grasses can also be a weed in fine turf lawns. The broadleaf weed killers will have little effect on these and spot treatment with Weed Weapon Invade Gel is the best option. Apply the gel to the central growing crowns of the coarse grass.

Making Sure Your Lawn Has What It Needs To Thrive

As you come to understand what lawn care services are important throughout the year, youre probably also realizing that questions about how many visits are less important than questions about what your lawn is receiving during visits .

Of course, you dont want to feel as though you need an agronomics degree just to make sure your lawn is getting what it needsnor do you want to feel as though you have to babysit your lawn care company and check in on what theyre doing.

What you really want is a company thats going to perform the proper lawn treatments when theyre needed so that you dont have to worry.

At Master Lawn, thats the peace of mind we can deliver.

Instead of having to spend any time worrying about whether treatments are getting done on the timeline theyre supposed to, you can put your trust in us knowing that weve got you covered. After all, when it comes to the healthy and thriving lawn that you desire, your wish is our command.

Ready to gain the peace of mind that your lawn is getting everything that it needs to thrive at your Memphis, TN or Northern Mississippi home? Talk to a lawn care expert, choose from 3 program options, and become the master of your lawn.

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Roundup For Lawns1 Ready To Use Weed And Grass Killer

ROUNDUP FOR LAWNS is a roundup and ready to use weed killer for lawns. Its the perfect blend of nontoxic, fast-acting and easy-to-use. ROUNDUP FOR LAWNS kills weeds down to the root so you are not taking a chance with killing your lawn.

ROUNDUP FOR LAWNS is fast acting enough that it starts working immediately and can be used in as little as three hours in moderate wet weather conditions. Like all Roundup Ready products, ROUNDUP FOR LAWNS is made of glyphosate a non-selective broad spectrum weed killer. It works by destroying the plants ability to absorb nutrients.

ROUNDUP FOR LAWNS kills over 250 weeds on contact. It does not damage desirable plants or kill turf grass, but does prevent it from producing nutrients which are needed for propagation. It will kill most weeds without damaging turf grasses.

It also can be used on your home garden and is labeled for use on vegetables, ornamental gardens, and non-crop areas around your home.

When Is The Best Time To Spray Weed Killer

How To Kill Weeds In Your Lawn | Spot Spraying

Regardless of how much we fight off weeds, they make a comeback. It can feel like were in the fight alone and weeds have something especially against us. Weeds are a problem for gardeners across the globe, and weve got the option of appropriate fertilization and irrigation, but many people choose to spray weed killer.

Since thats the case, we have to consider what time of the year is the best to spray? What about specific climates or times of the day? There are also safety issues around our home that we have to consider and emergence herbicides.

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Spot Treatment Is Better Than Broadcast Application

It’s no surprise that manufacturers of lawn care products, many of which publish a lot of online advice articles, insist that applying lots of chemicals over the entire lawn is the best way to control weeds. Their advice begins with broadcast application of pre-emergent herbicides in the fall or early spring, and continues with at least one, and preferably multiple, widespread applications of post-emergent herbicides at different intervals through the spring.

The advice becomes much different when you consult academic sources, such as the lawn-science departments at various universities. These scientific experts understand the dangers that over-application of herbicides, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers pose to water sources through run-off, and here the advice is always to treat weeds in the least toxic method possible, avoiding broad applications of chemicals whenever possible.

Instead, they argue it is best to avoid chemical means if possible, and if they are unavoidable, to spot-treat individual weeds with a spot-targeted spray rather than to spray or spread a dense layer of chemical over the entire lawn. Spot-treating weeds may sound like a lot of work, but a homeowner soon finds that it’s not a great burden to follow weekly lawn-mowing chores by walking the lawn with a hand sprayer and applying a small dab of weed killer to the weeds that are spotted. Over time, as most of the weeds are killed, it becomes relatively quick work.

Andersons Barricade Professional Weed Control

The Best No Frills Granular Weed Controller

Andersons Barricade is a pre-emergent herbicide. In short, it’s a weed preventer. This means that it stops the weeds from growing in the first place, but it won’t kill existing weeds. This product is ideal to use in early spring and fall before the weeds have time to grow. It helps to prevent over 30 broadleaf and grass-type weeds from growing in your lawn. This includes perennial weeds like crabgrass, foxtail, goosegrass, henbit, and lambs quarter.

Preventing the weed problem in the first place is always the best solution. If you apply this weed control product in early spring and fall, the weeds are unable to germinate and grow. Plus, it’s easy to apply just use a spreader after you’ve mown the lawn. Remember to water it in thoroughly, though.

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How Do You Stop Weeds From Growing Back

Good garden maintenance practices such as regular watering, mowing, mulching and fertilising are the best foundation for weed management in lawn and garden beds. The only way to keep your garden weed-free is to care for and continuously maintain it weeds may inevitably turn up sooner or later, but you should take measures to eliminate them quickly before they have a chance to spread.

Disclaimer:

This article is published for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website is strictly at your own risk. Always ensure you have the right qualifications and certifications to carry out DIY work and never put your safety at risk. Hills Irrigation recommends consulting a professional for all electrical and plumbing work.

Ways To Spray Herbicides On Your Lawns

Best Weed Killer: How to Get Rid of Weeds in Grass

Most gardeners use pre-emergence herbicides in areas like the lawn to help eliminate the weed life cycles, especially when you encounter annual problems like weeds that grow during the summer. Examples of common pre-emergence herbicides include dithiopyr and benefin, all of which generally stop weed seeds from germinating.

Pre-emergent weed killers control annual lawn weeds while they sprout, which means the herbicide must be on the lawn before the seeds begin to germinate. Annual plants grow during one season, and then set seed and die.

Summer annual weeds like crabgrass and goosegrass germinate during the spring and winter periods while yearly weeds like common chickweed and henbit sprout in early fall.

Consequently, to control annual summer weeds, apply a pre-emergent weed killer in early spring. To control annual winter weeds, apply a pre-emergent herbicide in early fall.

If you can already see yearly weeds on your lawn, it may be a bit late to use a pre-emergent herbicide. A post-emergent weed killer will come in handy at this point.

Post-emergent weed killers control weeds that are already visible on the lawn surface. Be careful to sprinkle them in the right spots and not on your entire lawn.

When applying weed killers, wear protective clothing, including long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and safety goggles to protect your eyes from the harmful substance.

Do you have a special time for spraying the weeds on your lawn? Let us know in the comment section below.

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  • Mow your grass when it needs it one-third above the ideal cutting height.
  • Pro Tip: If you dont know your grass type, take a plug of turf to a garden center and ask the staff to help with the identification.

Cool Climate Grasses

  • Bent grass: 1/4- to 3/4-in.
  • Chewing hard or red fescue: 1-1/2 to 2-1/2-in.
  • Tall fescue: 1-1/2 to 3-in.
  • Kentucky bluegrass: 1-1/2 to 3-in.
  • Perennial ryegrass: 1-1/2 to 3-in.

Warm Climate Grasses

  • Bahia grass: 2- to 3-in.
  • Bermuda grass: 1/2- to 1-in.
  • Blue grama grass: 2- to 3-in.
  • Buffalo grass: 2- to 3-in.
  • Carpetgrass: 1- to 2-in.
  • St. Augustinegrass: 1- to 3-in.
  • Zoysia grass: 1/2- to 1-in.

When Is The Best Time Of The Year To Spray Lawn Weeds

This is a great question, but at the same time it is a loaded question. There are so many ways to answer this based on so many factors. For instance, what weed specifically are you trying to target? What are the weather conditions? Can that weed be prevented all together? Does the weed respond better to pre-emergent or post-emergent? And the list does not end there.

All of these questions can be overwhelming, hopefully this guide can make it easier.

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Liquid Or Granules: Which Is Best

Whether you use liquid weed killer or granules really depends on your preference, as well as the season. Generally, you should consider using weed killers of the granular type in the spring and fall. These will penetrate into the soil and stop weed seeds from germinating.

There is a selection of granular products that not only get rid of weeds but will also fertilize your lawn. You should use one of these to give your grass a boost before the growing season.

Liquid weed killers are best to use during the growing season. Generally, these types of weed killers are fast-acting and will get rid of your weeds quickly. Theyre also very effective on annual weeds that keep coming up year after year.

Classes Of Weeds: Broadleaf Grassy Sedge

How To Kill Weeds In The Lawn : Spraying Weeds

First, know your target. Weeds fall into three classes: broadleaf, grassy and sedge.

Broadleaf weeds produce two seed leaves as the plant emerges and generally display wider leaves and branched stems. Broadleaf weeds include white clover, dandelion, thistle, pokeweed and even poison ivy.

Grassy weeds produce one seed leaf, like regular turfgrass. Examples include goosegrass, crabgrass and rushes.

Sedges also produce just one seed leaf, but in cross-section, the leaves show a triangular shape, as with yellow nutsedge.

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What Is The Proper Way To Apply A Broadleaf Herbicide To The Lawn

Broadleaf herbicides can be applied as liquids or granules. Before applying any herbicide, carefully read and follow label directions.

When applying liquid formulations, avoid potential spray drift problems by following simple precautions. Dont spray when winds exceed 5 mph. Also, dont spray when temperatures are forecast to exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit within 24 hours of the application. Since coarse droplets are less likely to drift than fine sprays, select a nozzle that produces coarse droplets and use low sprayer pressure when applying liquid broadleaf herbicides.

When spraying, keep the nozzle close to the ground. If only a few areas in the lawn have broadleaf weeds, spot treat these areas rather than spraying the entire lawn. Apply just enough material to wet the leaf surfaces. A single application of a broadleaf herbicide kills many broadleaf weeds. Difficult-to-control weeds, such as violets, will likely require two applications.

Granular broadleaf herbicides are usually combined with fertilizers. Apply granular broadleaf herbicides and fertilizer/broadleaf herbicide combinations when the foliage is wet. Broadleaf herbicides are absorbed by the weeds foliage, not its roots. To be effective, the granules must stick to the weeds and the herbicide absorbed by the weeds foliage. Apply granular products in the early morning when the foliage is wet with dew or irrigate the lawn prior to the application.

Weed Control In Lawns

Weeds are plants that are growing where theyre not wanted. Weeds can take any form and can vary depending on where they grow. Weeds typically produce large numbers of seeds, assisting their spread. They are often excellent at surviving and reproducing in disturbed environments and are commonly the first species to colonise and dominate in these conditions.

What is a weed?

Weeds are plants that are growing where theyre not wanted. Weeds can take many forms and can vary depending on where they grow. By this definition something we see as a weed may be perfectly fine for others.

For some lawn owners as long as its green its fine is a common statement. But consider this for a moment, most broadleaf weeds are annuals which only grow for part of the year and then set seed. Whilst in small numbers the lawn will cover over these small spots as they die out but as they grow in numbers through seeding the lawn cant fill in these spots and suddenly your lawn is bare, when it isnt covered in weeds.

Weeds are very easily dispersed, so are difficult to eradicate completely. A longer lawn, with a dense growth habit helps in outperforming weeds, while an aerated soil is a much better option than a compacted soil.

Why you need to draw your line early?

In Australia our most common weeds like Bindii and dandelion are Winter annuals, this means they germinate in the soil from around April-June and start setting seeds in mid-Spring.

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