The Role Weed Killer Plays in Keeping Plantings Flawless in Dutchess County NY

The task of keeping your greenscape vibrant and healthy is one that takes up an incredible amount of time and energy without the use of some useful aids. Weed killer does its job in taking care of a serious threat to your intended plants before it even starts. You may not be sure of how helpful it can actually be. Let’s talk about the role weed killer plays in keeping plantings flawless in Dutchess County, NY.

Related: The Reasons Why Weed Killer Is Prioritized in a Lawn Treatment Plan in Poughkeepsie NY

Understanding Weeds

The uncountable species of weeds that live in your region evolved over millions of years to adapt to harsh weather patterns and barren soil. They are incredibly good at growing in areas with low moisture, baking sun, repeated trampling, and low-nutrient soil. As they spread across the world with their tiny, often undetectable seeds, they expectedly began to thrive in more hospitable climates and more fertile soil. They simply take opportunity when it’s presented. Your philosophy when taking care of weeds should be taking that opportunity from them to protect your plantings.

Stopping the Cycle

Once weeds have gone to seed (often in late summer), the cycle will continue for the next year. These seedlings will try to find any available sunlight and will grow quickly as soon as spring arrives. They’ll end up taking nutrients from the soil that would go to your garden or lawn. As the soil dries out, they will grow even more. It’s important to stop the cycle before it begins in spring. Do not let mature weeds release their seeds by summer’s end. You can stop the cycle before spring with pre-emergent and post-emergent weed killer.

Pre-Emergent Weed Killer

Applying weed killer in spring is centered around preventing the growth of germinating weeds. Most of the seeds that have begun the germination process will be eliminated during this process, but it only applies to seeds already present in your landscape. Other seeds may come in with the wind or carried in by pets, humans, birds, and wild animals. After the pre-emergent weed killer is applied, this is the most likely reason for continued weed growth. If you see an isolated weed growing above the soil, attempt to pull it out by the root. However, if you see many weeds at this point, it’s time for the next step.

Post-Emergent Weed Killer

The main purpose of applying a post-emergent weed killer is to eliminate the weeds that have already germinated, grown above the surface and grown leaves. It is also capable of killing weeds that are ready to or have gone to seed. Post-emergent weed killer has to be applied with great caution to prevent killing desirable broad-leaf plants.

Let Professionals Handle It

Weed killers should never be used without an understanding of its effects. They’re available in garden centers and plant nurseries, though they can be harmful if not used correctly, possibly killing the wrong plants or even harming pets and children in high enough concentrations.

Lawn and plant care professionals will be trained and knowledgeable in each variant of weed killer and how much should be used in different settings. Stopping the weed cycle takes multiple careful applications over the course of a year and then doing preventative work in the years afterwards. Contact a landscape specialist to get a handle on your weed situation.

Related: Why You Should Include Weed Killer and Fertilizer in Your Lawn Care Plan in Westchester County, NY