Following directions is key to controlling weeds in lawn

When it comes to summer weeds, there's really only one rule to know: follow directions.

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Chris Thompson, the owner of Classic Landscape and Maintenance, emphasizes that homeowners should always follow directions when using weed killers.

"Really, the first thing they need to do is use a pre-emergent in late winter or early spring," said Thompson, adding that doing so will help control the summer weed population.

Applying a pre-emergent doesn't guarantee that there will be no summer weeds, but there will definitely be fewer of them.

"You're still going to have some weeds pop up in the summer," Thompson said.

Secondly, he suggests using a post-emergent herbicide during the summer months.

"I don't suggest using it over the entire yard because your grass will turn yellow," he said. "Be sure you spot spray with the correct chemical for your particular lawn."

Thompson said herbicides are made for specific lawn types, and what is suitable for a centipede lawn may not be suggested for use on Zoysia or Bermuda grasses.

While some discoloration of the grass may occur in spot spraying, Thompson said it will only be temporary.

"It will burn the grass a little with the kind of heat that we are having," he said.

The optimal time for spot spraying is early morning or late evening. Thompson said he prefers to spray right after the sun goes down -- just as the sun hits the tree tops, yet while there is enough daylight to see where to spray.

"I'd say about 8 or 8:30," he said. "Do not spray during the heat of the day."

Be sure spot spraying is done when there's no rain forecast in the 24 hours after spraying. If it does rain, the herbicide might be washed away and not be effective.

Weed killers are designed to work on dandelions, ground ivy and other common weeds. The grasses growing in the lawn may be harder to get rid of.

"Crabgrass and nut grass are grasses, so they are going to be harder to control than weeds," said Thompson.

"Most weed killers will help with those, though."