As the spring sun warms the frigid soil, life there begins to stir as well. Daffodils and hyacinths are just beginning to push new leaves through the mulch. Worms are becoming active; the turf is just a little greener, and weed seeds are germinating. If a verdant lawn is part of your garden, then take the time now to seriously think about controlling those weeds.
Once soil temperatures reach the mid 50's, dormant seeds of crabgrass and other weeds begin to swell and sprout. An easy way to stop these bad boys in their vegetative tracks is to apply a preemergent herbicide, also known as crabgrass preventer.
Preemergent crabgrass controls are herbicides which when applied to lawns and watered in, will bind to the upper few inches of the soil and form a chemical barrier. Any susceptible germinating weed will stop growing once its roots contact this barrier. Keep in mind, preemergents do not stop germination. Seeds will sprout normally, but once their tender roots absorb the herbicide, typical root development ceases. Instead, roots become deformed or club-shaped and the weed weakens. The weed is then easily overtaken by the more vigorously growing turf. Additionally, preemergents must be applied at the right time. Once crabgrass seedlings produce their first tillers, these herbicides lose their effectiveness.
Preemergent herbicides last from 6 to 16 weeks and their performance is directly affected by climate, soil type, weed varieties(some are resistant), rainfall, other environmental factors, and method of application. Professional lawn care companies make sure their spreading and spraying equipment is properly calibrated and lawn care technicians know to walk at a set pace when dispersing these products. This practice assures the proper amount of chemical per 1000 square feet is being applied. A common mistake homeowners often make is to ignore package labels. They just fill their spreaders and off they go. Some areas of the yard receive an overdose of chemical while other areas receive none. That's why you will see lawns with darker green or even dead strips running through them. This carelessness is wasteful and can be damaging to the environment. I cannot stress enough...ALWAYS FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS!
You may find several varieties of preemergent crabgrass controls at your local garden center and you should always study package labels to be sure of what you are getting. Keep in mind, if you plan to overseed or reseed a treated area, all crabgrass preventers except those containing tupersan will inhibit grass seed germination as well.
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