Seed First or Spray First - Which is Best?

Weed control treatments are tricky. You need the correct product applied at the right time to make it work. The first step in the process involves the assessment of your lawn. The decision to seed first or spray first depends on the result of this. 

Why Skipping Spraying Won’t Work

You might think that the problem is over because the plants die off during the winter. Seeing dead weeds in your yard means that the plants have entered a new growth cycle.

Many species drop seeds that can lie dormant for years. Once the right combination of water, sunlight, and temperatures arrive, they can pop up fast. This is why you may feel like hundreds of weeds have grown overnight.

Certain weed varieties thrive during the winter. Mediterranean grass is an annual grassy type of weed that is commonly found in Arizona. Winter weeds often show up as patches of tall green grass among a sea of brown desirable grass blades that have done dormant.

If weeds are allowed to grow, they can have a devastating effect on grass. Weeds often have deeper and wider root systems that enable them to get water first. Tall weeds block sunlight from reaching shorter grass blades.

Getting control over weeds at the start of the winter and spring seasons protects desirable grass in each critical growth stage.

Analyze the Current State of the Landscaping

Lawn maintenance plans are based upon what type of plants are growing on your property along with the current season.

Lawns with minimal weeds growing may be seeded before doing a full-lawn spray. In this case, you could spot spray the few weeds that you see or hand-pull them. 

After seeding, you’ll then need to wait the appropriate amount of time before arranging for pre-emergent weed spraying. While you wait to spray for weeds, this might be a good time for fertilizing or soil treatments.

If your lawn has a large number of weeds, then it might be in your best interest to tackle them first and worry about seeding later. This is especially true if you have a little time left in the primary grass sprouting season.

Post-emergent weed sprays are less likely to disrupt seed germination and grass growth. Selective sprays that target broadleaf weeds are also safer to use since they don’t affect the grass.

Using the right spray is just as critical as the timing that you use for the application. After any weed spray is used, find out when you can plant grass seed.

Certain types of weed spray allow for seeding to occur as soon as the next day. Other types may require you to wait a few weeks.

 

Know How to Get the Best Results From Seeding

Overseeding a lawn is often necessary to replenish grass that didn’t survive the harsh summer or winter seasons. Grass seed needs to reach the ground for it to have the best chances of sprouting. Eliminating competition from the weeds helps grass seed to have what it needs to grow.

Once the weeds die off, remove the dead plants, and consider dethatching the lawn. Then, apply the seed using the recommended application method and water thoroughly to ensure it sprouts.

Whether to spray or seed first is often as hard to figure out as the age-old chicken or the egg debate. With Arizona lawns, the answer to this question can change each year and even with each season. 

Let us know about any problems that you’ve noticed over the past couple of weeks. Whether the grass needs spraying for weeds or seeding more, it's possible to get both issues handled by using a customized treatment plan.