Fall Pre-Emergents (this year has been a doozy, prepare for fall early).

Rainfall. What does it have to do with weeds? 

Well, I'm glad you asked. Weed germination is not directly linked to the amount of rainfall, except for the fact that water makes everything grow. Weed germination is however, linked to the lack of pre-emergent herbicide that is in the soil at the time of germination. Most herbicides are broken down by soil microbes and rainfall leaching and watering away the chemical used to prevent weeds.

According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/?n=rainfall_scorecard), metro Atlanta has received 45.80 inches of rainfall so far this year. In an average year, metro Atlanta receives 49.71 inches of rainfall total. So, what does all this mean for you and me and our grass? It's been an abundantly wet year, and our pre-emergents we put out this Spring have most likely been completely used up.

The solution: Put out your pre-emergent early this year (Between August 15th and Septermber 15th). I would also recommend at going out at higher rates and or doing a split application (1/2 of your herbicide now and 1/2 of the product one month from now). This will ensure you catch the weeds before they have a chance to germinate.

I will suggest the following products and rates for fall herbicide applications (FOR WARM SEASON TURF ONLY:

*Barricade/Prodiamine - Spray application: 1.5 lbs per acre now or 1 lb per acre now and 1 lb per acre one month from now. Granular applications: stonewall 0-0-8 0.43% 5 bags per acre now or 3 bags now, 3 bags 1 month from now.

Dimension/Dithiopyr - Spray applications: 2 pints per acre between now and september 15th. Granular applications: Dimension 0-0-7 .21% 5 bags now or 5 bags 3 weeks from now (no split application recommended for this product in fall).

Specticle/Indaziflam - Spray applications: 6 ounces per acre between now and October 15th. Granular applications: 3 bags per acre of Specticle G between now and October 15th.

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GT

*For homeowners, I would recommend the first option (Barricade/Prodiamine) in the granular formulation.