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Using a Pre-Emergent on A Weedy Lawn

poquito_colorado

12 years ago

I have a backyard with grass(I hesitate to call it a 'lawn') that has become thoroughly invested with weeds from a neighbor's neglected backyard (6 feet tall in places). I would like to use a preemergent on the area, but I just need a little advice. What is a good product to use? Will it be safe for wanted plants in the yard? I have fruit trees, vegetable beds and, around the perimeter, some native california shrubs and some mediterranean herbs.

Comments (3)

cactusgarden
12 years ago
My understanding of Pre-Emergent has always been that its only for plants that have not germinated yet and is used during the dormant season. It would work for preventing annual weeds next year and is not supposed to harm existing plants or turf. Here it is applied usually around the end of February before anything is greening up.

My sympathy on your plight. I am in the same one. My neighbors yard is completely weedy and has all these volunteer trees and other mess coming up everywhere. I just this week sprayed the area bordering my property line with brush killer to kill the endless trees he has coming up. The existing ones cost me money every year to trim and the guy is stealing my access to the sun. I need more trees coming up there like I need a case of red spider mites. I have considered calling the city and reporting him. Tall weeds like that are not allowed in many cities.
ravenh2001
12 years ago
most pre- emergent's I use are plant spicific. If you control one weed another will take it's place. I use velpar, sinbar, 2-4-d , roundup, poast and brush be gone and still have plants that laugh at all of them. Weeding on 5 ac is not an option.
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Have you investigated the many factors involved in what is called Centipedegrass Decline? It would be worth your time to investigate. Improper fertilization, watering problems, soil pH, herbicides, and other abiotic factors can all contribute to Centipedegrass Decline. The first thing that comes to my mind, however, when reading your post is nematodes. When I lived in Beaufort County, the issues with several species of nematodes were becoming very serious. We tried to convince people to stay away from Centipedegrass because of it. Homeowners don't have the arsenal of nematicides available to them that golfcourses do. If you haven't already done so, check with your local Clemson Extension office for advice about how and when to collect soil for proper nematode assay. I know that I haven't addressed your herbicide question, but unless the cause of the problem with your grass is resolved, you'll always have a terrible stand of grass. Clemson can also be very helpful with recommednations for weed control, too. Ask to speak to an agent who specializes in turf, rather than a master gardener volunteer.
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Lynda Waldrep
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Snapshot is a great pre-emergent for winter annuals that are now starting in my area. It is expensive but legal here...not for use near water. I found out that it is NOT legal for people without the applicator's license in TN, so it must be fairly strong. I have used it to cut back on the Microstegium vimineum annual invasive grass that has come to our area in the last decade. It does not appear to damage any existing vegetation, although plants that are short lived but reseed, such as Lobelia, are lost with repeated applications.

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