Weed Control in Fescue

Athens, GA, Braselton, GA, Buford, GA

As much as we hate weeds, Mother Nature LOVES them! Whether you’ve chosen us as your lawn care provider or you’re doing it yourself, weeds are an ongoing battle. It’s important to note that there are certain points throughout the year when it is not recommended to apply weed control.

Our Charlotte manager, Dave Scher, has put together some helpful and reassuring information for our Fescue customers experiencing weed issues in late summer or early fall. If you have a Fescue lawn and are wondering why you shouldn’t be applying weed control right now, keep reading.

Timing Matters

Applying weed control around the same time you plan to aerate and overseed in the fall can be detrimental. You cannot kill weeds and grow new grass at the same time. If only it were that easy! Tender seedlings can be damaged or even killed by weed control products.

You must wait for the seedlings to harden off before beginning weed control again. Depending on the weather, when your aeration and seeding was completed, and how well the lawn was watered afterward, it may be safe to resume spot weed control in December or January. However, this will vary—no two lawns are the same.

What to Expect

How much weed pressure you see depends on several factors, including how long the lawn has been under care and how thick it was at the time of seeding. We know you hate the weeds—so do we! And we promise that as soon as it’s safe to treat them, we will.

Most weeds that show up during this time of year will begin to die off naturally as temperatures continue to drop. Mowing the weeds down very low before aeration and seeding can also help put your lawn in a better position.

The Real Solution? Healthy Turf.

The most important part of any weed control program is always a full, thick, and healthy lawn. Weeds need sunlight to grow, and dense turf naturally shades them out. Aeration and overseeding is one of the best things you can do for both lawn health and weed suppression.

Keep in mind, core aeration brings soil from deep within the lawn to the surface—this includes weed seeds. And as you might expect, once they’re exposed, they’ll do what they do best: grow.

Why Aerate and Overseed?

Still unsure about aerating and overseeding? Know that it’s highly recommended for Fescue lawns.

Here are some of the key benefits:

• Improved turfgrass rooting

• Better seed germination

• Helps break down thatch

• Enhances air exchange between soil and atmosphere

• Boosts fertilizer uptake and effectiveness

• Increases drought tolerance and overall lawn health

• Improves water uptake

• Reduces soil compaction

• Decreases water runoff
  

Whether you choose to do it yourself or have us handle it, aeration and overseeding should be done annually. There are many factors involved in maintaining a beautiful lawn, and these two services can save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

We hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.