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Control summer weeds now
Ingram Sam
Effingham County Extension Agent Sam Ingram

Your battle with summer weeds should start now, if this is the year you plan to beat your over-achieving neighbor for the best-looking lawn. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide now will provide a better control of weeds this summer than a post-emergent herbicide.

Timing is crucial for the effectiveness of a pre-emergent herbicide and if applied too late in the season, it will provide zero control. This type of herbicide will control that crabgrass or other summer annual weeds before you ever notice them in the lawn. A lot of people wait until the weeds appear before applying a post-emergent (2,4-D and others), although this is the norm here are some benefits of a pre-emergent herbicide:

• Prevention of the weed from stealing nutrients from your turf, which makes a healthier lawn.

• Many pre-emergent herbicides are sold in a granular form so they are easy to handle.

• Most ornamental trees and shrubs are tolerant of these herbicides.

And of course, we have limitations and things to be aware of with these herbicides:

• Do not apply to a lawn that will be seeded or sodded that growing season.

• Certain pre-emergent herbicides do not control all annual summer weeds.

• Do not apply to a lawn that has been seeded, sprigged or sodded within the past year.

• A follow-up application of a post-emergent herbicide may still be needed.

To make certain you are selecting the correct herbicide for your particular situation, don’t hesitate to contact our office. For additional questions, contact Effingham County Extension Agent Sam Ingram at 754-8040 or singram@uga.edu.