Keeping a lawn healthy in San Antonio means staying ahead of weeds before they take over. One of the best tools you can use is a weed pre emergent. This type of product stops new weeds from sprouting, giving your grass and landscape plants the best chance to thrive. By understanding how pre emergents work and when to apply them, you can enjoy a cleaner, greener yard year-round.
How Weed Pre Emergent Products Work
A weed pre emergent doesn’t kill existing weeds. Instead, it creates a protective barrier in the soil that prevents weed seeds from sprouting. When applied correctly and watered in, the product coats the soil surface. As new seeds try to germinate, they are stopped before they break through the ground.
Think of it as putting up a shield: the weed seeds are still in the soil, but they can’t establish themselves. This is why timing is so important—if the weeds have already sprouted, a pre emergent won’t work.
Fall Pre Emergent Applications in San Antonio
Fall is the time to target winter annual weeds, which germinate as the weather cools and return every year if not controlled. In San Antonio, a fall pre emergent can prevent:
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Annual bluegrass (Poa annua)
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Rescuegrass
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Chickweed
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Henbit
- Dandelion
Applying a weed pre emergent in early fall—before these seeds germinate—helps keep your lawn from becoming a patchwork of green weeds in winter and early spring.
Spring Pre Emergent Applications in San Antonio
In spring, the focus shifts to summer annual weeds, which sprout once soil temperatures rise. A timely spring application can prevent:
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Crabgrass
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Goosegrass
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Spurge
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Purslane
These weeds can spread quickly in the Texas heat, choking out grass and making your lawn look patchy. Applying a spring pre emergent is your best defense.
Timing is Everything
For best results, apply your weed pre emergent before soil temperatures trigger germination.
- Fall application: typically Late August to mid-late September
- Spring application: typically late February to early March.
Always follow the product label, as some products may need a second application 6–8 weeks later for extended control. And remember—watering in the product right after application is critical for activation.
Product Recommendation: Weed Pre Emergent
If you’re looking for a proven option, Bonide WeedBeater Complete is an excellent choice. It contains both pre emergent and post emergent ingredients, meaning it not only prevents new weeds but also kills certain young weeds that may have already sprouted. Many San Antonio homeowners have had good results with this product, making it a reliable choice for both fall and spring use. Nitro Phos with Barricade, Fertilome Hi Yield with Dimension, and Fertilome with Gallery are also good choices.Â
Lawn Maintenance
Using a weed pre emergent at the right time is one of the first steps in making all the difference in your lawn’s appearance and health. By targeting fall and spring weeds before they sprout, you’ll stay one step ahead of the toughest weeds in San Antonio. Print out our easy-to-follow, free, lawn care and maintenance calendar here so you know what you need to be doing for your lawn throughout the year.
Fall fertilizing is right around the corner as well, and you must remember that a well-fed, healthy lawn is also one of the greatest protections against weeds, disease, and pest issues.
~The Happy Gardener, Lisa Mulroy
