Weed Control & Prevention

Weed Control & Prevention to Keep Your Landscape Beautiful

Understanding the Difference Between Pre-Emergent and Post-Emergent Herbicides

Nothing takes away from a beautiful landscape more than weeds. Utilizing the right herbicides at the right time of year can help prevent weeds from germinating and eliminate the ones that do sprout. Eco-friendly chemicals are the most efficient and cost effective way to help prevent and kill weeds. It is important to know the difference between the two types of weed control herbicides: pre-emergent and post-emergent.

Weed Prevention and Control
Post-emergent herbicide causes weeds to yellow and die over the course of several days while also preventing other weeds from germinating.

Pre-Emergent Herbicide

Pre-emergent herbicide creates a temporary barrier on top of the soil that helps prevent new seeds from germinating. It is only effective in helping prevent weeds and will not affect those that are already visible.

Pre-emergent can be applied in a granular or liquid form in granite, flower beds or turf and needs to be watered in within 30 to 90 days to be most effective. This can be done either by applying herbicide before a predicted rain or by using irrigation. Applying half an inch of water helps the product absorb into the soil. The longer the product sits on top of the soil without being watered in, the less effective it will be. The continued use of pre-emergent can build up the barrier in the soil so that fewer weeds slip through each year. Since rain causes weeds to grow, an application of pre-emergent should be applied prior to each rainy season. 

Post-Emergent Herbicide

The most effective kill method for actively growing or mature weeds is to apply post-emergent herbicide to the outer foliage. This causes the weed to yellow and die over the course of several days. It also prevents another weed from growing in the same location.

Applying a post-emergent to turf weeds in warmer months (daytime temperatures above 75 degrees) will kill the turf as well. However, when temperatures are cooler, it is safe to spray a post-emergent herbicide on granite, flower beds and non-overseeded Bermuda grass. Cooler weather prevents dormant turf from absorbing the chemicals so the herbicide is concentrated on the turf weeds.

Let BrightView Landscape Services Help You

BrightView takes pride in the landscapes we create for our clients. Starting with the design phase, we aim to bring your vision to life choosing the right plantings for your environment. 

The state of your landscape speaks volumes about your property and therefore needs to be properly maintained. It will be important to balance the visual appeal of your property with the cost to sustain and protect it.

You can benefit from a comprehensive landscape maintenance plan designed to meet your needs and exceed your expectations, no matter the environment or season.