Often only thought of the first sign of spring when shopping, we see Crab Grass Preventer bags stacked up high.  More often than not, the herbicide is bundled along with a fertilizer. The problem is the actual timing - the timing of the pre-emergent application and the timing of the fertilizer.

Many universities studies have shown applications of fertilizer too early in the season, before the grass is allowed to green up naturally, forces excessive top growth. Top growth (shoot growth / blade growth) comes at the expense of root growth. During spring, before the growth flush that necessitates mowing twice a week, the roots of turf grass are actively growing deeper and stronger as the soil warms, even though the grass seems to be still in winter dormancy mode.

Turf grass managers, hobbyist and knowledgeable home owners will refrain from applying a nitrogen based fertilizer before the grass actually wakes up in the spring, merely only applying a straight pre-emergent packaged alone. The most commonly used products, available to both professionals and homeowners are known both by chemical names and trade or brand names.

Dandelions are prolific indicators of the arrival of Spring, and you want them Dead.    First – and very important – understand the difference between selective herbicide (weed killer) and non-selective herbicide (grass, weed and everything else growing killer)  To kill weeds and not the grass you need selective herbicide formulated to TARGET THE WEEDS you want to kill, but NOT KILL YOUR GRASS.