Prepping for spring weeds |

Spring has arrived, and turf managers across the country are selling and booking their preemergence herbicide applications. Preemergence herbicides are the most effective way to control crabgrass and other summer annual weeds and grasses before they become a visible problem. When applied in early spring, preemergence herbicides provide season-long control of some of the top homeowner-hated weeds, including dandelion, crabgrass, clover, chickweed and plantain. Many preemergence herbicides work by inhibiting cell division in the young root system. The active ingredient is absorbed by the roots of susceptible plants, which swell and stop growing. The root system fails to develop and the young seedling dies shortly after germination.

Spring success

Preemergence herbicides are a reliable weed control method, and most must be applied prior to weed seed germination to be effective. Application timing varies based on the geographic location, but many weed seeds generally begin to germinate when the soil temperature is 50 degrees or warmer. Keep in mind that perennial weeds that have reproductive parts below ground will not be well controlled by a preemergence herbicide. Single applications are often very effective, but turf managers in areas with extremely high weed pressure use split-applications to get season-long control. Some will make an application in early spring and then another later in the season, spreading the full labeled rate over two visits. Most preemergence herbicides require a half inch of irrigation or rain to move the herbicide into the soil. For best results, make sure the treated area is watered within seven days of an application.

Weed control trifecta

Successful preemergence weed control starts by using the right product at the right time. Dimension^® specialty herbicide is the leading turf and ornamental product for preemergence and early postemergence crabgrass control, giving you the widest application window. For preemergence control, Dimension can be applied up to eight weeks prior to crabgrass germination. For early postemergence control, it can be applied up to crabgrass tillering in cool-season turf and up to the five-tiller stage in warm-season turf. It also offers preemergence control of 47 other grassy and broadleaf weeds. Gallery^® specialty herbicide stops weeds before they germinate, so you won’t spend all season chasing them down with postemergence applications or hand-weeding. Gallery controls more than 95 broadleaf weeds in turf and ornamental settings, making it an ideal border-to-border solution. Do you treat landscape beds as well? Snapshot^® specialty herbicide offers proven control of more than 125 broadleaf and grassy weeds, and minimizes the need for hand-weeding. It can be used around more than 635 ornamentals — more than any other granular preemergence herbicide on the market. Preemergence applications set the stage for season-long weed control. Regardless of the product used, always read and follow label directions to ensure success.

Dimension	Gallery	Snapshot
Active ingredient	Dithiopyr	Isoxaben	Isoxaben + trifluralin
Formulation	Sprayable, granular, on-fertilizer	Sprayable	Granular
Weeds controlled	47 grassy and broadleaf weeds	96 broadleaf weeds	125 broadleaf and grassy weeds
Ornamental safety	490 landscape-, container- and field-grown	700 landscape- and field-grown 560 container-grown	635 landscape- and field-grown 485 container-grown

State restrictions on the sale and use of Dimension specialty herbicide products and Snapshot apply. Consult the label before purchase or use for full details. Always read and follow label directions.

Posted In: Business success, Education, Preemergence herbicides
Tagged: Dimension, Gallery, preemergence, Snapshot