The key for any chemical application is timing. Weeds and insects are most susceptible at specific stages in their life, and to effectively benefit from a chemical application, superintendents have to know when those stages occur. Natural plant functions, such as going to seed, are more effectively controlled if the application of the chemical regulator is timed accurately.
Besides experience and instinct, superintendents refer to a model developed by Michigan State; The Growing Degree Day Tracker. Growing degree days are based on temperature and other environmental factors to produce a model that will accurately tell you when to apply your chemicals for each specific pest. The majority of spring chemical applications are based off the GDD Tracker.This resource is open to homeowners as well. While some of the events tracked do not apply to home lawns, their are others that could prove quite useful. Crabgrass is an annual weed that is quick to develop in the spring and hard to control once it established itself. The GDD Tracker shows the best time to apply pre-emergent herbicides to combat crabgrass before the seed even germinates Other aspects that homeowners could find useful include the tracker for weed flowering, spring broadleaf weeds and insect emergence.
The GDD Tracker (available from this link: MSU GDD Tracker) will show visitors the optimum time to apply chemicals for that specific pest. Most of the herbicides and insecticides that are sufficient for home lawns can be found off the shelf at Home Depot or similar stores.
One of the best preventative measures to combating weeds and pests in your lawn are simple cultural methods. By this we mean maintaining your lawn at an appropriate height (3"-4") and irrigating the turf. During the summer, 1 inch of water per week is a good standard for irrigation. Other links of interest:
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