Since NJ has been experiencing rain for many consecutive days, it has impacted fertilization schedules this Spring. You may be thinking, “Why can’t we just fertilize and/or spray weeds before it rains?”

Although fertilizers work best when water is available in soil, it’s important to avoid fertilizing right before a heavy rainfall. Timing each fertilizer application appropriately will ensure that the nutrients remain in the soil column long enough to make them accessible to the plant’s roots rather than being carried off by excess water.

Pesticides (the chemicals we use to kill those pesky weeds) require a certain amount of time in contact with the weed plant leaf for the plant to absorb the pesticide.  If rain washes that pesticide away early then there is little or no effect on the weed plant.  Pesticides that are just washed away are more harmful to the environment and a waste of time and resources.

• A note on pesticides for weed control – Dry or granular-based, post-emergent weed killers (intended to kill weeds that are already growing) must be applied to damp or wet plants so they stick to the leaves as this is how they are absorbed. If the granules fall to the soil, they will have no effect on the targeted weed. This is why Country Lawn Care uses liquid based weed controls for maximum coverage and effect.

An ideal time to fertilize and/or apply pesticides is when no rain is expected for a minimum of 24 hours post application. Fertilizer only applications can be successfully done before a light rainfall as the plants sense the impending rain and open their pores to soak in the moisture and nutrients.