skip to main content

Using a Pre-Emergent on A Weedy Lawn

poquito_colorado

15 years ago

I have a backyard with grass(I hesitate to call it a 'lawn') that has become thoroughly invested with weeds from a neighbor's neglected backyard (6 feet tall in places). I would like to use a preemergent on the area, but I just need a little advice. What is a good product to use? Will it be safe for wanted plants in the yard? I have fruit trees, vegetable beds and, around the perimeter, some native california shrubs and some mediterranean herbs.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

cactusgarden
15 years ago
My understanding of Pre-Emergent has always been that its only for plants that have not germinated yet and is used during the dormant season. It would work for preventing annual weeds next year and is not supposed to harm existing plants or turf. Here it is applied usually around the end of February before anything is greening up.

My sympathy on your plight. I am in the same one. My neighbors yard is completely weedy and has all these volunteer trees and other mess coming up everywhere. I just this week sprayed the area bordering my property line with brush killer to kill the endless trees he has coming up. The existing ones cost me money every year to trim and the guy is stealing my access to the sun. I need more trees coming up there like I need a case of red spider mites. I have considered calling the city and reporting him. Tall weeds like that are not allowed in many cities.
ravenh2001
14 years ago
most pre- emergent's I use are plant spicific. If you control one weed another will take it's place. I use velpar, sinbar, 2-4-d , roundup, poast and brush be gone and still have plants that laugh at all of them. Weeding on 5 ac is not an option.
Related Discussions
Pre-emergent then compost on lawn
Q
Comments (14)
Hello Dimi. My experience is exactly the opposite. Compost never seemed to do anything for my yard, but organic fertilizer greened and thickened it. Then you add in the cost difference and I'll probably never buy compost again. I have moved since I replied to this message before. Now I live in full sunlight which makes my St Augustine lawn almost too thick to push a mower through. I have not gotten serious with fertilizer since I moved in in 2014. Previous owner had no lawn at all, so the St Aug I have is what pushed out from the edges. So far the color is fine and growth rate is fine, but I keep an eye on it.
...See More
Using pre-emergent on new lawn
Q
Comments (5)
Ok, cool. I mowed once in November but mowed mostly weeds as the grass wasn't very high. But that's how it was with my 12,000 sq ft. seeding in the fall of 2007. So I think Dimension is the way to go but I'm having trouble finding it without fertilizer mixed in. How bad would it be to fertilize a new lawn in April? I was going to wait until May but I might have to fertilize earlier if I can find Dimension by itself. Yes, I'll send pics later in the spring. The 2007 seeding looks great and I have good results so far with the 2008 seeding....
...See More
Pre-emergent, Broadleaf, and Fertilizer for Lawns
Q
Comments (5)
Atrazine is used as a post emergent- when weeds are actively growing. A pre emergent is used to stop weed seeds from sprouting. A pre emergent can be very effective when applied in the Fall and again in the Spring. Night time temperatures of 50 to 55 start weed seed germination which means don't count on web site advice. Time applications by actual temperatures on your own property. Results can be slow to show but after two years you will notice a big difference. This link explains the different types of weeds and their life cycles for Florida. The article has a good list of which products to use on what and when to apply. I have printed this out and refer to it quite often during the year. Here is a link that might be useful: Weed Management in Home Lawns
...See More
Lawn Pre-emergent
Q
Comments (2)
Crabgrass, dandylions, cheeseweed, bindweed, these are common names but all are lawn pests. the only organic earth friendly way to control them is by hand removing them, A good healthy lawn will chock some of them out. Things like weed and feed work well gets most broad leaf plants and there is a crabgrass control as well. A good thick healthy lawn is the best defense against weeds. I live in central utah we have the same pesty weeds here. I weed and feed in the spring and hand remove as many as I can throughout the summer.
...See More
Lynda Waldrep
14 years ago
Snapshot is a great pre-emergent for winter annuals that are now starting in my area. It is expensive but legal here...not for use near water. I found out that it is NOT legal for people without the applicator's license in TN, so it must be fairly strong. I have used it to cut back on the Microstegium vimineum annual invasive grass that has come to our area in the last decade. It does not appear to damage any existing vegetation, although plants that are short lived but reseed, such as Lobelia, are lost with repeated applications.

Related Stories

EARTH DAY The Case for Losing the Traditional Lawn

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Work less, help the environment and foster connections by just saying no to typical turf

BEFORE AND AFTERS See 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns

By Annie Thornton

Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives

GRASSES How to Rock a Lawn

By Mitchell Parker

Weekend Project: The key to healthy grass begins with the soil. If turf works for you, here’s how to fix it and keep it looking its best

FRONT YARD IDEAS Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 15 Great Ideas for a Lawn-Free Yard

By Laura Gaskill

End the turf war for good with hardscaping, native grasses and ground covers that save water and are easier to maintain

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Get Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places

GARDENING GUIDES Weed War: When and How to Use Chemical Herbicides

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Before you spray, arm yourself with knowledge about which weed killers — natural or synthetic — are right for your yard

SAVING WATER Xeriscape Gardens: How to Get a Beautiful Landscape With Less Water

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Conserve water and make gardening much easier with the xeriscape approach’s 7 principles

LANDSCAPE DESIGN The Right Stone for Your Garden Design

Gravel, pebble, cobble and paddle: Stones vary in size and shape, and have different uses in the landscape

SAVING WATER 11 Ways to Save Water at Home

By Carol Crotta

Whether you live in a drought-stricken area or just want to help preserve a precious resource, here are things you can do to use less water

Sponsored

More Discussions

cold stratification?

1