Controlling weeds using lawn pre-emergent

SALT LAKE CITY – As temperatures warm and spring begins in Utah, controlling the rampant growth of weeds is often top of mind for gardeners. KSL Greenhouse Show hosts Maria Shilaos and Taun Beddes dig in deep on weed control methods in this segment.

The adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is very fitting when it comes to weed control.

Getting started with weed control

Using a soil or kitchen thermometer, measure the temperature of your soil in several places in your garden. You’ll want to see consistent soil temperatures between 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit before applying pre-emergent. This gives the granules in the product time to break down before Crabgrass varieties start to germinate as soil temperatures reach 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Knowing which weeds you have is crucial to knowing how to treat them. A healthy lawn should outcompete most weeds, aside from the manageable few that inevitably edge their way in.

Crabgrass is annual and grows most during the hottest part of the summer. This means that if you have weeds growing in your lawn right now, you don’t have Crabgrass. Other weed control options you can explore on your lawn besides pre-emergent are adjusting your mowing height, irrigation systems, and aerating frequency.

Pre-emergent will prevent all things from germinating where it is applied. Depending on the brand, this effect can last up to a year, so it isn’t ideal for most gardeners trying to repair or regrow parts of their lawn. Additionally, pre-emergent mixed with fertilizer at farm stores can run $50-60.

Doing your research on what you’re trying to kill and how you plan to go about it will save you time and money down the road.

Check out this publication from the USU Extension about Weed Control Options for Residential Lawns in Utah for more information.

The KSL Greenhouse is on every Saturday from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. You can follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and on our website.