The secret to stopping weeds next spring — apply this simple barrier to your lawn right now
Spreading a fall pre-emergent on your lawn right now creates a barrier that blocks winter weed seeds from sprouting. Here's the best way to do it.
Winter weeds, such as chickweed, henbit, and annual bluegrass, begin germinating beneath the surface in the fall, establishing deep root systems before spring. To prevent these weeds from breaking through, applying a pre-emergent barrier in the fall is essential. Pre-emergents act as an underground shield, blocking young root growth, but they also prevent all seed germination indiscriminately.
Therefore, it is crucial to avoid using pre-emergents when overseeding or patching bare spots until the new grass is established. To apply the granules evenly, use a lawn spreader, following the recommended setting from the product bag. Walk the yard in straight, overlapping lines in a cross-hatch pattern, and water lightly afterward to activate the barrier.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.