Seed First or Spray First Which is Best
                     SEED FIRST OR SPRAY FIRST
- Which is Best? 
Weed control treatments are tricky. 
You need the correct product applied 
at the right time to make it work. 
The first step in the process involves 
assessment of your lawn. 
The decision to seed first or spray first 
depends on the result of this. 
Allowing bare spots to remain leaves 
an open door for weeds to grow.
Figuring out which treatment comes 
first begins with exploring what 
is currently happening with your lawn.
Why Skipping 
Spraying 
Won’t Work
You might think that the problem
is over because the plants die off 
during the winter.
Seeing dead weeds in your yard 
means that the plants have entered 
a new growth cycle.
Many species drop seeds that can lie 
dormant for years. 
Once the right combination of water, 
sunlight, and temperatures arrive, 
they can pop up fast. 
This is why you may feel like 
hundreds of weeds have 
grown overnight.
Certain weed varieties thrive during 
the winter. 
Mediterranean grass is an annual 
grassy type of weed that 
is commonly found in Arizona.
Winter weeds often show up 
as patches of tall green grass among 
a sea of brown desirable grass blades 
that have done dormant.
If weeds are allowed to grow, 
they can have a devastating effect 
on grass. 
Weeds often have deeper and wider 
root systems that enable them to get 
water first. 
Tall weeds block sunlight from 
reaching shorter grass blades.
Getting control over weeds at the 
start of the winter and spring 
seasons protects desirable grass 
in each critical growth stage.
Analyze 
the Current 
State 
of the 
Landscaping
Lawn maintenance plans are based 
upon what type of plants are 
growing on your property along with 
the current season.
Lawns with minimal weeds growing 
may be seeded before doing 
a full-lawn spray. 
In this case, you could spot spray the 
few weeds that you see 
or hand-pull them. 
After seeding, you’ll then need 
to wait the appropriate amount 
of time before arranging 
for pre-emergent weed spraying. 
While you wait to spray for weeds, 
this might be a good time for 
fertilizing or soil treatments.
If your lawn has a large number of 
weeds, then it might be in your best 
interest to tackle them first and 
worry about seeding later. 
This is especially true if you have 
a little time left in the primary grass 
sprouting season.
Post-emergent weed sprays are less 
likely to disrupt seed germination 
and grass growth. 
Selective sprays that target broadleaf 
weeds are also safer to use since 
they don’t affect the grass.
Using the right spray is just 
as critical as the timing that you use 
for the application. 
After any weed spray is used, find 
out when you can plant grass seed.
Certain types of weed spray allow 
for seeding to occur as soon 
as the next day. 
Other types may require you to wait 
a few weeks.
Know How to 
Get the Best 
Results From 
Seeding
Overseeding a lawn is often 
necessary to replenish grass that 
didn’t survive the harsh summer 
or winter seasons. 
Grass seed needs to reach the 
ground for it to have the best 
chances of sprouting. 
Eliminating competition from the 
weeds helps grass seed to have what 
it needs to grow.
Once the weeds die off, remove the 
dead plants, and consider dethatching 
the lawn. 
Then, apply the seed using the 
recommended application method and 
water thoroughly to ensure it sprouts.
Whether to spray or seed first is often 
as hard to figure out as the age-old 
chicken or the egg debate.
With Arizona lawns, the answer 
to this question can change each 
year and even with each season. 
Custom Weed & Pest Control has 
been in business since 1989, serving 
the greater Phoenix metro area for 
both residential and commercial.
We offer an affordable weed 
and pest control package, 
with customized service to meet your 
specific needs.