Wage War On Your Weeds: It’s Fall 2024 Pre-Emergent Time

Written By:

Shane Wade, The Happy Horticulturist

Hello, readers! I’m Shane Wade, and I want to welcome you to ‘The Happy Horticulturist,’ the official blog of Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation.

Here, we dig into the world of gardening, landscaping, and irrigation, unearthing tips, insights, and inspiration to help you create and maintain a beautiful and thriving outdoor space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our blog, ‘The Happy Horticulturist’ is your go-to resource for all things horticulture.

Read on below for our battle-tested tips that are sure to help you soldier up as you wage war on your weeds this Fall!

As the temperatures start to show the first signs of dipping and the leaves begin to turn, it's easy to think that your lawn care duties can take a backseat.

But for those of us in the horticulture world, fall isn’t the time to put the garden gloves away!

In fact, now is the perfect time to tackle one of the most challenging and persistent enemies of a healthy landscape: WEEDS!

By getting ahead of the problem this fall with the proven, effective weed warrior weapon of pre-emergent herbicides, you can wage a successful war on your weeds and set your lawn or garden up for a thriving spring.

Let’s dig into the numerous reasons why a seasonal weed control strategy should be at the top of your Essential Fall Lawn Care Checklist!

What Are Pre-Emergents, Anyway?

Pre-emergent herbicides are your first line of defense against pesky weeds before they even get a chance to sprout. Unlike post-emergent herbicides that kill weeds after they've emerged, pre-emergents target the seeds before they germinate. Essentially, they create a barrier in the soil that prevents those annoying weeds from taking root.

But here’s the thing: timing is everything.

For best results, pre-emergents need to be applied before weed seeds start to germinate, which usually happens in the early spring.

“That’s why fall is the perfect time to act: you're catching those seeds while they’re still dormant, ensuring that your yard stays weed-free well into the next growing season!” said Wade.

Why Fall 2024 Is Prime Pre-Emergent Time in Zone 8b

Here in Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation’s Central Mississippi (USDA Plant Zone 8b) service area (we are proud to offer our top-notch landscape, lawn care, and irrigation solutions to both residential and commercial clients in the following three counties located in and around Metro-Jackson, Mississippi: Hinds, Rankin, & Madison), we typically experience mild winters and long, warm growing seasons, making the timing of your pre-emergent application crucial.

Our region’s mild climate encourages earlier germination of weed seeds as compared to colder zones that usually experience harsher winters.

In fact, annual weeds like crabgrass and chickweed often start sprouting the minute that early spring temperatures show the first signs of warming up, giving them a significant head start on invading our flower beds, gardens, and lawns!

By applying pre-emergent herbicides in the fall, you’re getting ahead of the game, ensuring that these seeds never have the chance to germinate when the temperatures rise.

This is particularly important here in Zone 8b, where we also experience extended periods of warm weather, making weeds a constant threat if left untreated.

Pre-Emergents: The Right Way to Apply Them

To get the most out of your fall pre-emergent application, keep a few best practices in mind:

1. Timing Is Key:

The ideal time to apply pre-emergent is before the first frost or when soil temperatures consistently fall below 70°F. This gives the herbicide time to form a protective barrier before weed seeds begin to germinate.

2. Know Your Weeds:

Different types of weeds germinate at different times. If your yard is prone to specific invaders like crabgrass or clover, check with an expert, such as a licensed horticulturist, for best practice advice on timing the application for each one. Some weeds may require only a fall application, while others will benefit from a follow-up treatment in the spring.

3. Don’t Forget to Water:

After applying a pre-emergent, it’s important to water the area thoroughly. This activates the herbicide and helps it penetrate the soil. If rain is forecasted, that can help do the job for you!

4. Keep It Consistent:

A single application isn’t enough to keep weeds at bay indefinitely. For long-term control, reapply your pre-emergent every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.

Common Fall Weeds Targeted in Zone 8b

Fall is notorious for bringing certain weeds to the forefront, and many of them are stubborn annuals that, if left unchecked, can spread rapidly, and easily get out of control. Some of the most common culprits you’ll want to prevent include:

Crabgrass:

An annual weed that thrives in thinning grass, crabgrass can quickly turn a lush lawn into an eyesore. It germinates in early spring, making fall pre-emergent applications particularly effective.

PRO TIP: One of the best, most-effective ways you can counter-attack crabgrass is through deep, less-frequent watering.

Clovers:

Clover is by far the most common low-growing weed in all parts of the country. This type of grass is very fast-moving, and has the ability to stealthily sprawl across your entire yard in the blink of an eye!

Chickweed:

This low-growing weed tends to pop up in cool, moist areas, and its seeds can germinate in both the fall or the spring.

Poison Ivy & Other Woody Weeds:

While these might not be the first weeds that come to mind, fall is actually a great time to target perennial weeds like poison ivy and other woody plants. They’re storing up energy for the winter, which makes them more vulnerable to herbicides.

Dandelions:

An icon of summer indeed, but also a tireless, and extremely persistent weed at the same. Due to their floating seeds, Dandelion weeds are incredibly difficult to control, plus they are known to declare all out battle on healthy grass, putting up a heck of a fight in their campaign to conquer your lawn’s vital nutrients and take control of outdoor spaces.

Thistle:

Thistles are an invasive weed species that exert numerous negative effects on your lawn and garden.

Nutsedge:

Nutsedge is an annoying, difficult-to-control perennial weed culprit that is capable of surviving and reproducing, even in the most adverse of conditions.

Dallisgrass:

Durable Dallisgrass is a pesky perennial that spreads and thrives in most any and all conditions and environments. Once this frustrating foe gets an established foothold in your lawn, it takes no prisoners as it’s army of abundant seeds take over your soil, invading any and all open areas of turf.

Think Holistically:

Make Pre-Emergents A Part of the Plan!

While pre-emergent herbicides are incredibly effective, they’re just one component of a comprehensive weed control strategy. Healthy soil, proper mowing, and regular maintenance all play critical roles in keeping weeds at bay.

Weeds are opportunists—they thrive in areas where grass and plants are weak.

Strengthen your lawn, eliminate weed footholds, and emerge as the winner of the “war on weeds” by incorporating a comprehensive weed control strategy that includes proper fertilization, watering, and aeration.

A Final Word:

Patience Pays Off

Remember, a weed-free landscape doesn’t happen overnight. Pre-emergent herbicides require patience, consistency, and persistence, but the payoff is worth it. When you take advantage of the powerful weed warrior weapon of pre-emergents in the fall, you’re laying the groundwork for a guaranteed beautiful, vibrant spring landscape.

Now’s the time to put your comprehensive weed control battle plan into action, and get ready to wage war on your weeds!

No doubt, the spring 2025 “future you” will thank you, and hail you as a weed warrior hero!

CONTACT US!

The experts at Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation are are happy to design, install, maintain, update, or upgrade your outdoor space, ensuring that it suits your needs, goals, and budget.

“We have the expertise, experience, and equipment to handle any landscape, lawn care, or irrigation project, big or small.” - Shane Wade

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