Time for Flower Bed Weed Prevention
Fall is also a great time to do a flower bed pre-emergent application in your Midlothian or Prosper landscape. You should be doing two to three flower bed pre-emergent applications per year depending on the product you use.
Three Critical Things to Remember
A few things to remember about flower bed pre-emergents:
1. Always Use a Granular Product
Always use a granular. For turf we always recommend a liquid, but for flower beds you need to stick with a granular. Spraying a liquid herbicide all over the shrubs, plants, and flowers in your beds is NOT a good idea. A granular is going to roll off the foliage of your plants and make its way down to the soil where you want it.
Why granular is essential for flower beds:
- Rolls off plant foliage without sticking
- Settles into soil around plants
- Doesn't coat leaves or stems
- Reduces risk of plant damage
- Easier to keep away from desirable plants
- Won't drift onto ornamentals
Why liquid is wrong for flower beds:
- Sticks to and coats plant foliage
- Can damage or kill ornamentals
- Difficult to avoid hitting plants
- Spray drift affects nearby flowers
- May cause leaf burn or discoloration
- Risk of killing established plants
2. Avoid Areas with Seasonal Color
Avoid areas that have seasonal color or where you plan to add seasonal color. Pre-emergents can inhibit healthy growth and will eventually kill off seasonal color. So be very conscious and careful of where you are applying your pre-emergent.
Keep pre-emergent away from:
- Existing mums, pansies, and violas
- Areas where you'll plant seasonal color
- Spots planned for annuals
- Containers and planters with flowers
- Recently seeded or transplanted areas
How pre-emergent affects seasonal color:
- Inhibits root development in new plants
- Prevents flowers from establishing properly
- Can stunt or kill young plantings
- Reduces bloom production
- Shortens lifespan of seasonal color
Safe application strategy:
- Apply pre-emergent BEFORE planting seasonal color
- Leave 3-6 inch buffer around existing flowers
- Mark areas planned for future plantings
- Apply carefully around established perennials only
3. Don't Expect 100% Weed-Free Beds
Don't expect 100% weed-free flower beds. About a 70% reduction in weeds is what you can expect from a flower bed pre-emergent, so there will still be some hand weeding required. But for anyone that has ever pulled weeds, the less the better!
Why flower bed pre-emergent isn't 100% effective:
- Mulch movement creates gaps in barrier
- Planting disturbs pre-emergent layer
- Some weed seeds blow in after application
- Perennial weeds not affected by pre-emergent
- Breakdown occurs faster in disturbed areas
Realistic expectations:
- 70% fewer weeds to pull
- Significantly less time weeding
- Smaller, easier-to-remove weeds
- Longer periods between weeding sessions
- Much more manageable maintenance
The time savings:If you typically spend 2 hours weeding flower beds, expect to spend only 30-40 minutes with pre-emergent applied!
Application Timing for Flower Beds
Recommended schedule:
- Fall application: September-October (now!)
- Spring application: February-March
- Summer application (optional): June-July for year-round control
Benefits of fall application:
- Prevents winter annual weeds
- Controls cool-season weeds
- Reduces spring weeding dramatically
- Sets foundation for cleaner beds all winter
Best Products for Flower Bed Pre-Emergent
Effective granular pre-emergents for ornamental beds:
- Preen Garden Weed Preventer
- Snapshot (isoxaben + trifluralin)
- Gallery (isoxaben)
- Dimension (dithiopyr)
Application tips:
- Read labels carefully for ornamental safety
- Apply at recommended rates (don't over-apply)
- Water in lightly after application
- Reapply per label directions (typically 8-12 weeks)
Professional Landscape Maintenance
At Vista Lawn and Pest, we provide comprehensive landscape maintenance in Midlothian and Prosper, including properly timed flower bed pre-emergent applications. We know which products are safe around your ornamentals and how to apply them without damaging seasonal color. Combined with our lawn care, fertilization, and weed control services, we keep your entire property beautiful and low-maintenance.
Reduce flower bed weeding by 70%—apply fall pre-emergent now!
Watch the video below to learn proper flower bed pre-emergent application techniques and what products work best for North Texas landscapes.
For professional landscape maintenance and comprehensive property care in Midlothian and Prosper, contact Vista Lawn and Pest.
