How to Prepare Your Bend and Redmond Lawn for a Pre-Emergent Application
Pre-emergent herbicides are a crucial part of maintaining a healthy, weed-free lawn, but their effectiveness largely depends on how well you prepare your lawn before applying them. In Bend and Redmond, Oregon, where the climate can be challenging for lawns, taking the right steps to prepare your lawn can make all the difference. Here’s how to ensure your lawn is ready for a pre-emergent application.
1. Mow Your Lawn to the Correct Height
Before applying pre-emergent herbicides, it’s important to mow your lawn to the right height. This allows the herbicide to penetrate the soil more effectively:
• Optimal Height: Mow your lawn to a height of about 2 to 2.5 inches. This height is low enough to ensure that the herbicide can reach the soil but not so low that it stresses the grass.
• Avoid Scalping: Be careful not to scalp your lawn, as this can damage the grass and make it more susceptible to weeds and disease.
2. Remove Debris and Thatch
For a pre-emergent herbicide to work effectively, it needs to come into direct contact with the soil. Any debris or thatch on your lawn can block this contact:
• Rake Up Leaves and Sticks: Remove any leaves, sticks, or other debris from your lawn. This ensures that the herbicide can reach the soil without obstructions.
• Dethatch if Necessary: Thatch is the layer of dead grass and roots that can build up between the soil and the grass blades. If the thatch layer is more than ½ inch thick, consider dethatching your lawn to allow the herbicide to penetrate properly.
3. Test Your Soil
Testing your soil before applying pre-emergent herbicides can help you understand its pH level and nutrient content, which can affect the herbicide’s effectiveness:
• Soil pH: Most lawns in Bend and Redmond do best with a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. If your soil is too acidic or too alkaline, consider adjusting it with lime or sulfur as needed.
• Nutrient Levels: Ensure that your lawn has the right balance of nutrients by applying fertilizer if necessary. This helps keep your grass healthy and better able to compete with any weeds that might try to take hold.
4. Water Your Lawn (But Not Too Much)
Moist soil helps pre-emergent herbicides spread evenly and penetrate the ground, but overwatering can wash the herbicide away before it has a chance to work:
• Light Watering: Lightly water your lawn a day or two before applying the herbicide to ensure the soil is moist. However, avoid heavy watering or applying the herbicide right before a rainstorm, as this can dilute the product and reduce its effectiveness.
• Post-Application Watering: After applying the pre-emergent, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for post-application watering. Typically, you’ll want to water lightly to activate the herbicide without washing it away.
5. Apply at the Right Time
Timing is critical for the success of pre-emergent herbicides. In Bend and Redmond, the best times to apply are:
• Early Spring: Apply pre-emergent herbicides in late February to early March, before the soil temperature consistently reaches 55°F. This prevents spring weeds like crabgrass from germinating.
• Late Summer to Early Fall: A second application in late August to early September can help prevent fall-germinating weeds, which can survive the winter and cause problems in the spring.
Conclusion
Preparing your lawn correctly before applying pre-emergent herbicides is essential for achieving the best results. By mowing to the right height, removing debris, testing your soil, and applying at the right time, you can maximize the effectiveness of the herbicide and keep your lawn healthy and weed-free throughout the season. With these steps, your lawn in Bend and Redmond, Oregon, will be well-equipped to thrive.