How it Works: Preen Garden Weed Preventers
Here's how our Garden Weed Preventers prevent weeds before they even sprout rather than killing them after they’ve already had the chance to grow.
Tired of Pulling Weeds? Prevent Them
Spreading Preen on mulch in the garden
The arrival of warm weather switches plants into peak growth mode. Weeds are plants, too, and unfortunately, they sprout and grow with a particular force in spring and summer. Digging, pulling, and spraying herbicides are classic ways to deal with weed woes, but there’s another labor-saving option – preventing them in the first place.
This can be done by applying granular products called "pre-emergent herbicides" or "weed preventers" over landscape and garden beds. These products, such as Preen Garden Weed Preventer, stop many common weeds from sprouting without harming existing plants when used as directed.
When & How to Apply
Preen works best when it’s applied early in the growing season before weeds germinate, but can be applied anytime that weeds are growing.
To apply Preen, follow these steps:
- Remove existing weeds. Remove any existing weeds, taking care to remove their roots. Preen weed preventer products do not kill existing weeds, they block them from growing.
- Mulch the area. A three-inch layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture, keeps soil temperature even and looks nice and tidy. Mulch also has preventative properties of its own, assisting Preen in keeping weeds away.
- Apply Preen. Sprinkle Preen on top of the mulch. Apply when the garden is dry so Preen granules won’t stick to wet plant leaves.
- Integrate. Use a rake to work the granules into the top layer of soil or mulch.
- Water to activate. After applying Preen, water the granules to release the weed preventer ingredient that forms an invisible barrier beneath the surface to stop weeds from sprouting.
A new version, Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer, is Preen’s longest-lasting weed preventer yet. It’s labeled for use around 600 plants in perennial flower beds; around groundcovers, trees and shrubs; and in xeriscape settings and rock gardens. Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer tackles many of the toughest weeds a gardener faces, including dandelions, crabgrass, field bindweed, white clover, chickweed, henbit, purslane, Carolina geranium, stinging nettle, horseweed or marestail, oxalis, spurge, lambsquarters, and more.
Prevention pointers
Unlike weed killers, weed preventers don’t harm surrounding established plants. Use directions on all Preen products spell out exactly which plants the product can be used under and around, which weeds are prevented, and how to apply the granules for each Preen product. Be sure to read the label to ensure you are using the best Preen product for your garden and landscape.
