Maintaining a healthy lawn and garden requires proactive care. One effective strategy is using products containing a preemergent, which work by preventing weed seeds from germinating—stopping unwanted plants before they even have a chance to sprout. When applied at the optimal time, in early spring, these products can significantly reduce the presence of invasive weeds while reducing ongoing maintenance efforts.
Annual weeds, such as crabgrass, spurge and purslane which complete their life cycle in a single growing season, typically depend entirely on seed production. They invest heavily in producing numerous seeds to ensure that their species persists, making seed germination a key target for preemergent herbicides.
A preemergent works by creating a barrier that targets the germination process of weed seeds. This approach is very effective for weeds that rely predominantly on seed production.
Preemergent lawn and garden products are designed to prevent weeds from growing by targeting them at the earliest stage of development. Here's how they work:
Barrier Formation: When applied to the soil, preemergents create a chemical barrier in the top layer of the soil. This barrier doesn't stop seeds from germinating but prevents the young weed seedlings from developing roots and shoots.
Timing is Key: Generally, many common annual weeds—such as crabgrass—start to germinate when the soil temperature at a depth of about 2 to 3 inches reaches around 55°F (about 13°C). This temperature threshold is a good rule of thumb because it signals that the soil has warmed enough to break seed dormancy, prompting the seeds to sprout.
Activation: After application, preemergents need to be watered in. This helps the product settle into the soil and activate its protective barrier.
ferti•lome's For All Seasons II feeds your lawn and acts against any seed that may have wintered over in your grass. It's important to note that For All Seasons II, just like every pre-emergent act the same with all seeds, not just crabgrass and other weed seeds. If you're planning to over-seed your lawn this spring, you don't want to use For All Seasons II. Pre-emergents need to be applied before the ground temperatures get warm enough for seeds to start sprouting. Typically, this is before mid-April. When the Forsythia bushes begin blooming is another indicator it's time to apply pre-emergents. ferti•lome's For All Seasons II is part of The Flower Bin's 4-Step lawn care program. Buying the 4-step program qualifies for a 20% cost savings to you.
Organic-based preemergents are also available, in the form of corn gluten. When you apply it to your lawn or garden, it forms a thin chemical barrier in the topsoil. This barrier interrupts the early stages of seed germination, preventing the young seedlings from establishing roots and growing.
Preemergents are also available without fertilizer. Examples of these products include Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed and Grass Stopper, which can be used on established cool and warm season lawns.
To treat flower gardens, rocky mulch and other landscape areas, use Hi-Yield Herbicide Granules.
Know what you’re dealing with. Coarse fescue and other perennial broad leaf grasses are often mistakenly identified as crabgrass. Pre-emergents will not work on perennial grasses or weeds that spread through vegetative means. Control measures like post-emergent herbicides, manual removal, or cultural practices are required to effectively manage these weeds. If you’re uncertain, bring us a sample. We’ll identify it and help you determine the best solution to control it.
