--- title: What To Do When You Miss A Pre-Emergent Application description: Tips for timing pre-emergent applications and what to do if you miss the window. image: https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ewing-irrigation-pre-emergent-herbicide-spray-sprayer-turf-products-2.jpg --- ### Resources [![Ewing Outdoor Supply Logo V 4 Color](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Ewing%20Outdoor%20Supply%20Logo%20V%204%20Color.png) ](https://www.ewingoutdoorsupply.com/) [![Login/Register](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/20200354/5d045e9a-574a-4a92-a8cc-1ce2a4352784.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/20200354/5d045e9a-574a-4a92-a8cc-1ce2a4352784) 0 You have no items in your shopping cart ### Shop Products Shop Products # Irrigation & Landscape supply Blog # What To Do When You Miss A Pre-Emergent Application [Andy Keeton](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/andy-keeton) on March 18, 2021 Share - [**](https://twitter.com/share?source=https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-to-do-when-you-miss-pre-emergent-application&text=What%20To%20Do%20When%20You%20Miss%20A%20Pre-Emergent%20Application%20-%20https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-to-do-when-you-miss-pre-emergent-application) - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-to-do-when-you-miss-pre-emergent-application&title=What%20To%20Do%20When%20You%20Miss%20A%20Pre-Emergent%20Application&picture=https://20200354.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20200354/Imported_Blog_Media/ewing-irrigation-pre-emergent-herbicide-spray-sprayer-turf-products-2.jpg&description=Tips%20for%20timing%20pre-emergent%20applications%20and%20what%20to%20do%20if%20you%20miss%20the%20window.) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-to-do-when-you-miss-pre-emergent-application&title=What%20To%20Do%20When%20You%20Miss%20A%20Pre-Emergent%20Application&summary=Tips%20for%20timing%20pre-emergent%20applications%20and%20what%20to%20do%20if%20you%20miss%20the%20window.) - [**](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/what-to-do-when-you-miss-pre-emergent-application) ![](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ewing-irrigation-pre-emergent-herbicide-spray-sprayer-turf-products-2.jpg) Pre-emergent herbicides are an important tool in any lawn care program, but correctly timing the application can be tricky. Applying a pre-emergent too early can allow time for weeds to germinate and grow after the residual barrier has dissipated. Applying too late counteracts the purpose of using a pre-emergent in the first place by missing the optimal application window. ## Time Pre-Emergent Applications Right To know whether or not to apply pre-emergent herbicide now, it’s important to know how weeds are classified. Here are two of the main classifications and when to address them. **1. Summer Annuals Examples:** - Crabgrass - Sandbur - Spurge - Dandelion - Doveweed **Life cycle:** One year with germination in the spring. They flower and produce seed, then die in fall. **Pre-emergent timing:** Early spring or late winter for southern and coastal U.S. **2. Winter Annuals Examples:** - Annual Bluegrass (Poa Annua) - Henbit - Chickweed - Wild Onion - Mustards **Life cycle:** One year with germination in the fall. They flower and produce seed quickly, then die in spring. **Pre-emergent timing:** Late summer/early fall. General rule of thumb is by September 15. Remember that weed control is a continuous process. A healthy lawn will be more weed resistant, so be sure to practice good turf care. Timing your pre-emergent applications correctly will make them as effective as possible, so be prepared. ## Missed Application Window The ideal time to apply pre-emergent herbicides is when soil temperatures consistently reach 55 degrees at a depth of 4 inches. When the application is made too late, the product doesn’t have enough time to work before seeds germinate. So, what should you do if you miss an application window? Try alternative weed control methods such as landscape fabrics, mulch or specialty post-emergent herbicides. [Landscape fabrics](https://store.ewingirrigation.com/products/landscape-supplies/landscape-fabric) control weeds while still allowing water and air through and conserve soil moisture. [Mulch](https://store.ewingirrigation.com/products/landscape-supplies/mulch-topper) suppresses weed growth through conserving soil moisture and allowing plants to grow stronger, overcoming weeds and by blocking vital sunlight from sprouting weeds. For weed control in turf, specialty post-emergent herbicides like Scepter T&O and Certainty and directed applications of Ranger Pro will clear up any problem weeds. Alternative weed control options are a great way to manage weeds if you’ve missed a pre-emergent application window. For more tips and product suggestions, contact [your local Ewing store](https://store.ewingirrigation.com/locations/).   TAGS: [Herbicides](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/herbicides), [Pre-Emergent Herbicide](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/pre-emergent-herbicide), [Weed Control](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/weed-control), [Killing Weeds](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/killing-weeds), [Lawn Care](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/lawn-care), [turf maintenance](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/turf-maintenance), [Turf Management](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/turf-management) ### Looking for More? ### Topics - [Ewing News (194)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/ewing-news) - [Irrigation (191)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/irrigation) - [News Release (180)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/news-release) - [Business Tips (134)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/business-tips) - [Turf (100)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/turf) - [Water Efficiency (96)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/water-efficiency) - [Smart Irrigation (85)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/smart-irrigation) - [Business (79)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/business) - [Landscape Maintenance (71)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/landscape-maintenance) - [Outdoor Living (69)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/outdoor-living) - [Landscape Lighting (61)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/landscape-lighting) - [Water Conservation (58)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/water-conservation) - [Athletic Fields (52)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/athletic-fields) - [Sports Fields (52)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/sports-fields) - [Golf (50)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/golf) - [Lawn Care (50)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/lawn-care) - [Hardscape (47)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/hardscape) - [Sustainable Solutions (46)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/sustainable-solutions) - [Ewing Education (45)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/ewing-education) - [Green Industry (41)](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/tag/green-industry) ## Related [ Managing Localized Dry Spot with Smarter Moisture Solutions ](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/managing-localized-dry-spot-with-smarter-moisturesolutions) By [Kevin Lewis](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/kevin-lewis) On July 7, 2026 [ Managing Sports Fields with Smart Irrigation Technology ](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/managing-sports-fields-with-smart-irrigation-technology) By [Ian Yarian](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/ian-yarian) On July 2, 2026 [ Smart Irrigation Starts with the Controller ](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/smart-irrigation-starts-with-the-controller) By [Greg Williams](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/greg-williams) On June 30, 2026 ## Related ## [Exploring the 5 Reasons Why Preemergents Sometimes Fail](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/exploring-the-5-reasons-why-preemergents-sometimes-fail) By [Kevin Lewis](https://ewingirrigation-20200354.hs-sites.com/author/kevin-lewis) On April 18, 2024 ## [Looking to Really Grow Your Lawncare Business? 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