LawnLogIQ Today - Let's Talk Pre-Emergent!

pre-emergent - lawnlogiq

What is pre-emergent?

Pre-emergent is a product that, when applied appropriately, creates a vapor barrier in your soil, which, when a seed germinates, stops growth, effectively killing the plant.  For this first application, we are applying liquid prodiamine.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes!  But the product we use provides a long 14-day window to receive 1/2 inch of water.  Mother Nature should take care of this for us, especially in the spring.

Will the recent heavy rains wash it away?

No.  We generally use a liquid version of pre-emergent, not granules.  This stuff is thick and binds to soil very quickly, within two hours after application.  Granules, on the other hand, may wash away or collect in a low spot of standing water.  Either way, re-application is not recommended as we have no way to know how the application was affected.

FYI - Irrational weather in the Chicagoland area is also why we provide customers with two "split-applications" of pre-emergent in the spring.  By applying half of the pre-emergent now and the other half about 8 weeks later, we can ensure long-lasting, thorough coverage, regardless of weather or other conditions. 

Do snow or cold/freezing temperatures affect the effectiveness?

No.  And snowfall has been proven to help drive the product into the soil!

Does pre-emergent stop all weeds?

No.  When applied correctly, it will stop 80% of all seeds from germinating.  Our main concern is crabgrass, which is a difficult weed to kill when fully mature and drops hundreds of seeds.  All other weeds can generally be controlled through cultural practices such as having a thick, lush lawn, mowing at the correct height, and keeping the lawn healthy.  When a few pop through, we'll spot-spray those weeds as necessary.  

FYI - we follow the cultural practices of several university agricultural extension offices regarding weeds in lawns to ensure we're not harming the environment by unnecessarily spraying herbicides across your lawn in an attempt to stop a few weeds that made it through the pre-emergent barrier.

Can I throw down grass seed with pre-emergent?

No.  Pre-emergent stops ALL seed from germinating, including grass seed.  If you plan to seed in the spring, please let us know so we can avoid those areas of your lawn.

FYI - Fall is the absolute best time to seed your lawn, if necessary.  Warm days and cool nights provide the best chance for a seedling to survive.  If at all possible, try to thicken your existing lawn through the spring and summer, and then determine if seeding is necessary by late August.

Is pre-emergent safe for kids/pets?

Yes.  Per the EPA label, once the product dries on your lawn, it is considered safe to enter.  If concerned, water it in and allow it to dry completely before kids/pets enter the lawn.

Please get in touch with me with further questions!

Paul

LawnLogIQ

847-220-4680