Even though tree’s leaves have dropped, the air is cold, gardens and colorful annual blooms are long gone, one thing that should not lose its luster is your lawn. Winter is the ideal time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide. The best way to stop hard-to-kill weeds such as crabgrass and spurge is to apply a pre-emergent in the winter before they start to germinate. Remember: most pre-emergent herbicides will keep all seeds from coming up, so wait at least four months after application to over-seed your lawn.

Fertilizing: The Key to Maintaining a Thick and Healthy Lawn

Without proper lawn care, weeds are inevitable. Not only do weed seeds make their way into your lawn by way of wind, birds and lawn equipment, they can remain dormant in the soil for many years, eventually germinating when the conditions are right. Many turf problems can be minimized by promoting a lush, well fed, healthy lawn. We recommend Rogue All Season 23-3-13, Grange Co-op’s controlled release lawn food, with iron fertilizer. Formulated for all seasons, Rogue All Season 23-3-13 is specially formulated for local growing conditions. This fertilizer is key to maintaining a thick and healthy lawn.

Pre-Emergents: Treat the Entire Lawn

When applying pre-emergent, it is best to treat the entire yard as opposed to spot-treating in an attempt to save time and money. A broadcast application will help prevent the risk of weeds later in the season—ultimately saving you time and money!

Varieties of Pre-Emergent Herbicides

The ever-popular granular pre-emergent often comes combined with fertilizer. This option is perfect for smaller areas as it is easily spread by hand or with a drop-type spreader. Always follow the instructions listed on the label and it is pertinent that you water shortly after application. We offer pre-emergent/fertilizer combination products.

As a stand-alone pre-emergent, we recommend using Hi-Yield® Turf & Ornamental Weed & Grass Stopper, which provides superior control of crabgrass and many other annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. This specific pre-emergent is convenient because it remains active and protects against new seeding of weeds for 3-4 months after application. It also can be applied up to 4 weeks later than other pre-emergent crabgrass preventers—ultimately making it ideal for use in lawns and ornamental beds.

Keep Up on Applications

The wisest choice for control of crabgrass and other annual weeds is using a pre-emergent prior to actually seeing the crabgrass or weeds. Preventing crabgrass and annual weeds prior to the seed’s germination results in less applications and smaller chance of a patchy lawn. Crabgrass and weeds can choke out your turfgrass. Killing them after they are visible can leave an undesirable bare spot. Preventing crabgrass and annual weeds is a great step in making your lawn the best in the neighborhood.

If you have questions or need more information regarding lawn care, visit one of our Grange Gardening Experts at any of our stores. Stay tuned for seasonal tips to help you protect and feed your lawn all year long.