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How to Apply a Pre-Emergent Weed Control
How to Apply a Pre-Emergent Weed Control. Weeds are an unsightly annoyance on your lawn, and, once they've germinated, they can be difficult to remove without damaging the grass around them. Apply a pre-emergent weed control (herbicide) to prevent weeds before they have a chance to take root in your lawn, saving you hours of labor later in the...
Weeds are an unsightly annoyance on your lawn, and, once they've germinated, they can be difficult to remove without damaging the grass around them. Apply a pre-emergent weed control (herbicide) to prevent weeds before they have a chance to take root in your lawn, saving you hours of labor later in the season.
Things You'll Need
Granular, Pre-Emergent weed control (herbicide)
Lawn spreader
Pour the weed control into the lawn spreader. Fill the lawn spreader with herbicide over your driveway or another hard surface to prevent damage to the lawn in case of a spill.
Set the lawn spreader to distribute the herbicide at half the rate recommended by the instructions on the weed control bag.
Push the lawn spreader at a gentle pace around the perimeter of your lawn. Make sure that the spreader is distributing the herbicide at an even, steady rate.
Push the lawn spreader back and forth in a zigzag pattern across the surface of the lawn, distributing the herbicide inside the perimeter. Overlap the edges of the herbicide path to ensure that the entire lawn gets protection.
Turn the lawn spreader around once you've covered the entire lawn, and spread a second layer of herbicide over the first layer by tracing your path in reverse. This ensures even coverage and helps to prevent streaks of unprotected lawn between rows.
Water your lawn to activate the weed control, if the instructions on the herbicide tell you to do so. Some weed controls don't require watering; make sure to check the instructions on the bag.
Tips & Warnings
Apply a pre-emergent weed control in early spring, before weeds have begun to germinate. Pre-emergent weed control doesn't kill weeds that have already taken root and begun to grow.
For best results, don't mow or trim your lawn for several days before and after application of pre-emergent weed control.
Apply a pre-emergent weed control and lawn fertilizer simultaneously before mowing season begins, or use a combination weed control and fertilizer. The weed control prevents the weeds from growing, and the fertilizer helps culture a healthy lawn.
Always follow the manufacturer's safety instructions that come with the weed control.
Don't allow pets or children on your lawn for at least 48 hours after applying weed control.
Wear gloves, long pants and close-toed shoes when applying weed control, in addition to any safety equipment recommended by the manufacturer.
