How to Prevent Weeds in Your St. Louis Lawn
(Hint: Timing is Everything)
Controlling weeds with herbicides should be done carefully. Before any weed control application, there are many factors to consider. You should account for the type of product, grass type, weed type, and season. Here are some suggestions for using pre-emergent herbicides on certain lawn weeds in different seasons.
Pre-emergent Weed Control
Solving a weed problem is always easier before it starts. Proper lawn maintenance is one of the best ways to prevent weeds. However, sometimes a few stubborn weeds will pop up. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide is an effective way to prevent a weed problem before it appears. Pre-emergent weed control is designed to prevent germination in the soil, stopping weeds before they sprout.
When to Apply Pre-emergent in St. Louis
Timing is the most important aspect of weed prevention. If the weed is already visible, pre-emergent herbicides are less effective, and another solution is needed. Unless the product you’re using contains active ingredients that work as both post and pre-emergent weed control. Prevention treatments should be applied before the active growing season for the weed in question.
The best time to successfully prevent weeds in Missouri is in early spring and fall. This is when most weeds sprout, so you want to catch them before they do. Different seasons bring different weeds, so be sure you’re using the right product to target what you want.
Prevent Weeds in the Spring
Use a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring to prevent summer annual weeds. Apply weed control when the soil temperature is around 55 degrees or warmer for at least 36 to 72 hours. Most areas experience these temperatures from March to April.
Here are some common summer weeds you can help prevent in the spring:
- Crabgrass
- Goosegrass
- Foxtail
- Yellow Woodsorrel
- Clover
- Spurge
- Knotweed
- Ragweed
Prevent Weeds in the Fall
Applying pre-emergent herbicides in the late summer to early fall will help prevent winter annual weeds. Bluegrass is one of the most common winter weeds and may require multiple applications over consecutive seasons to fully control. Fall weeds begin to germinate when soil temperatures dip below 70 degrees. The best time to apply is during the day when temperatures are in the mid-70s for a few days in a row.
Common winter weeds include:
- Prickly Lettuce
- Henbit
- Common Chickweed
- Deadnettle
Professional Weed Control in St. Louis
If you need help preventing and controlling lawn weeds, Loyalty Lawn Care is here to help. Homeowners throughout St. Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters, Ballwin, Chesterfield, and surrounding areas trust our team. We offer comprehensive lawn care programs to provide all the weed control and fertilization your lawn needs at the right time. Contact us today for a free quote!