How to Prevent Summer Weeds in Texas

Summer in Texas provides weeds the opportunity to thrive.

The hot, dry Texas summer provide the prime conditions for weeds to grow and overwhelm a yard. Hot, dry conditions thin out the turf grass so weeds receive light and compete for control. Lush turf grass is an excellent defense against Texas summer weeds. It shades emerging weeds and starves them of the light they need to grow. Pre-emergent herbicide, proper watering and monthly fertilization are the best strategies to keep Texas summer weeds at bay.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-emergent herbicide
• Cardboard

Instructions

Be Proactive about Weed-prevention

1. 

   Use a sprayer with a hose long enough to prevent contact with skin.

   Cover your lawn and garden with pre-emergent herbicide once between March and mid April. In northern Texas, the growing season starts later, so wait until April to apply the herbicide. In south Texas, you may want to make two applications due to the longer growing season. There should be a gap of one month between applications.

2. Place a row of cardboard at the edges of your lawn and garden. You will be applying lots of water to the herbicide-sprayed areas. You want to make sure the herbicide does not exit the treated areas. The cardboard will act as a barrier for the watered herbicide. Make a strong barrier to stop the herbicide from spilling out of your contained area.

3. Water the lawn and garden every day for a week following the application of the herbicide. The pre-emergent herbicide needs moisture to help it leach into the top soil and affect the subterranean areas where weed growth begins. Use copious amounts of water. Herbicide left on the topsoil and turf grass can collect with rain and enter the storm water system. A good, controlled watering will prevent this. After one week, you can return to the normal watering schedule.

4. 

   Fertilizing turf grass increases density and stimulates root-growth.

   Apply a nitrogen- and phosphorous-based fertilizer to your lawn and garden once a month. The health of the turf grass is the strongest defense against Texas weeds. Unfertilized turf grass will thin out and become susceptible to invasion by summer weeds.

5. 

   Do not use the immediate-acting herbicide unless weeds are getting out of control.

   Apply immediate-acting herbicide in the summer if weed growth has become a problem. One application should be fine. This works best at the first signs of a weed infestation. If you applied and soaked your pre-emergent herbicide in the spring and regularly watered and fertilized, this application will likely be unnecessary. Think of it as a last defense if weeds thrive despite your preventative measures.

References

• Texas Agricultural Extension Service: Strategic Maneuvers; James A. McAffee: Associate Professor and Turf Grass Specialist (Dallas)
• Texas A&M Turfgrass Program: Nutrient Management; D. Chalmers
• Texas A&M Turfgrass Program: Troubleshooting