Is Soil Too Warm To Use Pre-Emergent?

Q: I read your article about timing pre-emergent application when the soil temperature is 50 degrees and rising. My soil temperature is 62 degrees. Have I missed my window to put down pre-emergent?

A: Even though the soil is warm enough now to trigger crabgrass germination, not all of the seeds sprout at once. They emerge over several weeks in spring and early summer. The pre-emergent chemical dithiopyr both prevents crabgrass from germinating and also kills young sprouts. Look on product labels to find this ingredient and apply now.