Pre-Emergent

As we prepare for a new lawn season, you might hear the word Pre-Emergent, but don’t know what it means. So what is Pre-Emergent? Pre-Emergent is a herbicide (chemical) that prevents the germination of seedlings. There are three ways a Pre-Emergent works. The first way is the seed absorbs water with the chemical. The second is when the first root emerges and absorbs the water. Third, the shoot absorbs the chemical and kills the seed before the shoot surfaces. These chemicals stay in the soil but deteriorate over time, so reapplication is recommended.

One weed that can get overlooked is Crabgrass. Even though you don’t see crabgrass until later in the season, it has germinated in early Spring. Germination occurs when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees during a 3-day period. Many times this will take place in February – March.

Even though weeds aren’t visible, it is crucial that you get a Pre-Emergent down before the 55-degree temperature threshold. Being proactive on weed suppression can save you time and money during the hot summer days.