Post-Emergent Herbicide Guide for Texas Lawns

How to Control Existing Weeds in Sherman and Across North Texas

In North Texas, weeds don’t wait around. One week your lawn looks manageable; the next, you’re staring at crabgrass in your thin spots or stubborn dallisgrass clumps.

If weeds are already visible, you need a post-emergent herbicide. This guide explains how to use these "correction" tools effectively without killing your desirable grass.

Identifying Your Enemy: Common North Texas Weeds

Not all weeds respond to the same chemicals. Using a broadleaf killer on a grassy weed is a waste of time and money.

The "Big Three" Troublesome Weeds

1. Crabgrass: A summer annual that spreads in a star-like pattern. It loves thin patches and compacted soil.

1. Dallisgrass: A perennial clumping grass with thick, coarse blades. It is famously difficult to kill because it shares many characteristics with Bermuda grass.

1. Nutsedge: Technically a sedge, not a grass. It grows faster than your lawn and has a "v-shaped" stem. Note: Standard weed killers will not work on nutsedge; you need a specific "Sedgehammer" style product.

Types of Post-Emergent Herbicides

Understanding the label is the difference between a weed-free lawn and a dead lawn.

• Selective Herbicides: These target specific weeds (like dandelions) while leaving your Bermuda, Zoysia, or St. Augustine unharmed.

• Non-Selective Herbicides (Glyphosate): These kill everything they touch. Use these only for driveways or "spot treating" areas you plan to replant.

• Systemic vs. Contact: Systemic herbicides are absorbed into the roots (best for perennials), while contact herbicides kill only the green tissue they touch.

The Golden Rules of Application

To get the best results in the Sherman heat, follow these rules:

RuleWhy it MattersCheck the TempDon't spray when it's over 90°F. It can "burn" your St. Augustine or Zoysia grass.Don't Mow FirstWeeds need leaf surface area to absorb the chemical. Don't mow for 2 days before or after spraying.Patience is KeySystemic killers take 7–14 days to work. If you spray again too soon, you might damage your lawn.Watch the RainMost products need 4–24 hours to dry ("Rainfast") before they become effective.

Why Turf Density is Your Best Defense

Post-emergent herbicide is a band-aid, not a cure. If you have to spray weeds every month, your lawn is likely too thin.

Weeds exploit weaknesses. By focusing on Aeration and Proper Fertilization, you create a canopy so thick that weed seeds never get the sunlight they need to germinate.

Does Your Lawn Need a Professional "Reset"?

If you're tired of playing "detective" with weed types and chemicals, let the pros handle the timing. North Texas Turf and Lighting uses professional-grade, selective herbicides that are safe for your specific grass type.

Get a Free Weed Control Estimate

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