What is Weed Killer and When to Use it

Herbicide, also known as “weed killer” is a chemical agent used for killing the growth of unwanted plants like agricultural or residential weeds. An advantage of chemical herbicides over mechanical weed control is how easily it can be applied, which results in reduced labor costs. Herbicides for the most part are considered non toxic to animals and humans, however they can cause death to non-target plants and the insects that feed on them. 

Unfortunately, with the majority of herbicide based weed killers, the effectiveness will be dictated by external factors. The weather conditions during the season you’re applying it, the weed you are trying to kill, and the life-cycle of that specific weed all play a role in the effectiveness of the herbicide weed killer. 

As you’re evaluating different tactics, you may ask yourself ‘what’s the best time of year to use weed killer?’. That is what Turf TitanZ is here to help you out with.

What Season Should Weed Killer Be Used?

The most effective season to use weed killer is in the Spring, followed by Fall. Spring is the optimal time to catch weeds early before their growth season to prevent them from sprouting. Fall is the next best season because before Winter is when weeds are most vulnerable. It’s important to know weed killers work better in warmer months rather than colder months. With that said, the next best season to target weeds is in the Summer.

Why Does the Season Influence Weed Killers’ Effectiveness?

As mentioned before, Spring is the best time to apply weed killer because weeds are able to be killed during their pre-growth stage. Spring is also known for being a warm and wet season which makes it advantageous for weed killing.

In order for the herbicide in weed killers to be activated, it needs to be absorbed by the soil. The only way it can be absorbed by the soil is if the soil is wet. Since Spring is typically a rainy season, it ensures that the soil will be moist enough to absorb the herbicide. Without rain, the herbicide will sit on the soil and won’t be absorbed. 

Weed killers thrive on the sudden change in weather, so Fall is the next best season to kill weeds. Applying weed killer in October means that weeds will struggle to survive during the winter months. 

There are some weed killers that don’t contain herbicide. Therefore, they are not affected by soil moisture levels.

What are Ideal Conditions When Applying Weed Killer?

As mentioned earlier, both the season and change in weather conditions play an important role in the effectiveness of weed killer. Other ideal conditions are:

• When Rain Isn’t Expected for a Period of Time: You don’t want to apply weed killer during a heavy rain period because it will be diluted in the soil. The herbicide will lose effectiveness when taken up by the plant.
• When the Weather is Calm: Windy weather conditions can blow the weed killer spray away from the intended target. Calm weather will allow you to spray weed killer accurately on the target areas. 
• Mild Weather: Avoid applying weed killer when there is strong sunshine, frost, or freezing weather. Weed killers are typically more effective during hot weather than extreme cold weather, however both aren’t ideal conditions. 

Hot and dry weather seen during the summer is considered prime time for weed growth. Weed killer shouldn’t be applied during these weather conditions because herbicide will not move effectively throughout the plant. This is why herbicide is most effective during the spring and fall since the soil is moist.

Cold weather is also considered an unpractical time to apply herbicide weed killer. Plants break down herbicides using their metabolism, but plant metabolism is slowed down during the Winter season. 

Contact Turf TitanZ for Weed Control Today

Implementing a weed control plan is the best way to make your property look great. Weeds can take over quickly. If an area is left untreated, your perfect landscape can potentially be full of unsightly plants. Our weed control experts use the latest and most effective herbicides to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Contact us today at  (919) 562-0771 or use the form below.