The Difference Between Pre and Post-Emergent Weed Control (and Why You Need Both)

No one wants to see weeds pop up across a freshly treated lawn. They’re stubborn, fast-spreading, and tough to eliminate without the right plan. That’s why professional pre and post-emergent weed control is essential. It stops weeds before they sprout and eliminates any that slip through—keeping your lawn thick, green, and beautiful all year long.

What Is Pre-Emergent Weed Control?

Pre-emergent weed control works like a protective shield. It prevents weed seeds from germinating by creating a barrier just below the soil’s surface. This barrier doesn’t harm your grass—it simply blocks weeds from growing roots.

Pre-emergents are most effective when applied before weeds start to grow, usually in early spring and fall.
Common weeds this treatment targets include:

• Crabgrass
• Spurge
• Foxtail
• Chickweed

Proper timing and even application are key to making pre-emergents effective.

What Is Post-Emergent Weed Control?

Even the best-prepared lawns get the occasional invader. Post-emergent weed control targets existing weeds, killing them down to the root without harming healthy turf.

This treatment works best when weeds are actively growing, typically during warmer months. It helps remove:

• Clover
• Dandelions
• Nutsedge
• Broadleaf weeds

Post-emergents keep your lawn looking uniform while preventing weeds from spreading or reseeding.

Why You Need Both Treatments

Many homeowners try one or the other—but the truth is, the best weed control strategy uses both.

Pre-emergents stop new weeds before they appear. Post-emergents clean up any survivors. Together, they create a year-round protection plan that keeps your grass healthy, strong, and weed-free.

Anointed Lawn Care’s weed control programs include both treatments in carefully timed applications that match Texas growing seasons, ensuring maximum effectiveness and lasting results.

Timing Matters: When to Apply Weed Control

In Texas, timing makes all the difference.

• Spring (February–April): Apply pre-emergent before soil temperatures rise.
• Summer (May–August): Use post-emergent to treat visible weeds.
• Fall (September–November): Apply another pre-emergent to prevent winter weeds.

Missing these seasonal windows allows weeds to establish and multiply—so consistency is crucial.

Homeowner Tips for Weed Prevention

Even between professional visits, you can help prevent weeds naturally:

• Mow regularly to maintain grass density.
• Avoid cutting grass too short (it exposes soil to sunlight).
• Water deeply but infrequently to strengthen roots.
• Fertilize appropriately to crowd out weeds with healthy turf.

Healthy, dense grass naturally resists weed growth better than thin or stressed lawns.

Professional Weed Control vs. DIY

While DIY weed killers may seem convenient, they often fail to address the full life cycle of weeds. Professional pre and post-emergent applications are timed precisely and use commercial-grade products for longer-lasting results.

At Anointed Lawn Care, each treatment is customized to your lawn type and local climate, giving your yard the professional care it needs to thrive year-round.