Pre-Emergent Applications in Landscape Beds

As you plan pre-emergent applications for landscape beds this spring, there are a few things to keep in mind. The products you apply will depend on the weeds you’re trying to control, the ornamentals in the landscape bed, and your budget constraints. 

BroadStar is generally an excellent granular herbicide to control a broad spectrum of annual broadleaf and grassy weeds, including spurge, bittercress, oxalis, common groundsel, and crabgrass. You can expect up to five months of control from Broadstar, making it an efficient tool for lawn care operators.

An effective liquid herbicide is SureGuard SC, which also controls unwanted grass and broadleaf weeds. When making liquid applications in landscape beds, it’s a good idea to use dye so you can ensure complete coverage. Be careful to avoid spraying the foliage of any desired plants.

There are precautions to take when completing granular applications too. Don’t apply granular herbicides to wet material in a landscape bed, and don’t let granules sit in the whorls of desired plants like hostas or tulips. 

Whether granular or liquid, the herbicide you use will need water to activate. Ideally, time your application before a rain event. But, if that’s not possible, water in the herbicide or instruct your customer to do so themselves. It’s a good idea to apply your pre-emergent on top of mulch to prevent weeds from growing in the mulch layer of the landscape bed too.

The timing of pre-emergent applications depends on the weather, but it should be before crabgrass emergence in the spring. Summer weeds tend to be worse than spring, so a second application may be helpful later in the season.

As always, read the label thoroughly before applying and ask your sales representative any questions.