How to Apply Preemergent Herbicide

Preemergent herbicides are designed for application before the targeted weed germinates, and are an effective preventative method for controlling weeds.

People always ask me what type of preemergent herbicide I use and I tell then Snapshot DG.  You’re only going to find this at a place that sells to nurseries.  I would check AM Leonard or whoever you use for your nursery supplier.

Now what Snapshot DG does is it creates a vapor barrier that covers the ground to prevent weed  seeds from germinating.  This won’t work on already established weeds!

One question I get over and over again is, “How do I apply this? How much do I use?” and my answer is, I DON’T KNOW!

So in this video, I am going to demonstrate how I apply preemergent herbicides.

There are many different ways people prefer to dispense their preemergent of choice, some use a shaker and apply it as you pot up your plants.

At my plant farm we pretty much went into winter weed free so now, I am going to apply this to my grow beds before the weed seeds have a chance to germinate.

Weeds begin to germinate when spring soil temperatures tend upwards from 50 degrees F.

Weed scientists use 52 degrees F. at one-half inch deep as the trigger point for their application of preemergent herbicide.

So now, it’s April in Ohio and I have to get a head start on the weeds before they get ahead of me!  I’ll have to re-apply in about 60 days.

Please put on some protective rubber gloves!  I know, I know, I am not wearing my gloves in this video, but I am hard headed. So always do as I say, not as I do and you’ll be a lot better of for it!

Now what I do is I grab a handful and I start tossing it out (watch my awesome technique in the video).  I have used a broadcaster in the past, but I felt I was getting more in the aisles than on the plants.

When dispensing by hand I feel I have more control over where the herbicide lands. I also use the wind to my advantage when I can and this method works really well for me. Like I said I have tried other ways but this works best.

At home on my landscape, I use a product called Ronstar.  Ronstar G is a preemergent herbicide that controls a variety of annual broadleaf and annual grass weeds.  Ronstar controls weeds through their shoots rather than their roots, so it won’t harm turfgrass roots in the process. In fact, Ronstar can be used for long residual preemergent weed control even in areas that may need to be sprigged or where turfgrass roots are already weakened due to pest, mechanical or other damage.

I don’t use Ronstar in my containers because it doesn’t control chickweed, but chickweed is not usually a problem in the landscape.

So there it is, like I always say, Keep It Simple and Don’t Over Think It!

Now watch this little movie me and Duston made for you.