The timing of your weed management program for your citrus grove is as important as what products you use.
“Managing weeds in citrus groves isn’t just about what you spray; it’s about when you spray,” according to a UF/IFAS Tip of the Week article. This is because the effectiveness of herbicides varies depending on the age of the weeds; the age of your citrus trees also has an effect on how the herbicides affect your citrus. The article shared the details of why timing matters; see them below.
Timing of Weed Management
The article shared how weed age and citrus age can affect the efficacy of your weed management program. For weeds, it shared that:
“The best results are achieved when weeds are targeted early. At this stage, they are much more responsive to herbicide treatments. In contrast, mature weeds with established root systems and in their reproductive stage are far more difficult to manage. Controlling them often requires higher herbicide rates or multiple applications, which increases costs and the risk of developing herbicide tolerance. This is especially true for post-emergent herbicides. If applied too late — when weeds are larger and more advanced in growth — the effectiveness of these products can drop significantly.
By aligning your herbicide applications with the proper growth stages, odds of weed control success can be increased. Post-emergent herbicides are most effective when weeds are young — while they’re still small and actively growing.
For pre-emergent (also called residual) herbicides, timing is just as important. These products work by preventing weed seeds from germinating. To get the best results, apply them before weeds start to emerge — ideally on a clean tree row, after any remaining weed stubble from earlier post-emergent treatments has been cleared. This allows the herbicide to form a strong barrier against new weed growth.”
For citrus trees, it shared that:
“Citrus trees in their first one to three years are more sensitive to herbicides. Their smaller size and thin bark make them more vulnerable to spray drift and chemical injury. This means herbicides that are safe around mature trees might damage young trees if applied without proper care. Shielding young trunks and avoiding contact with green tissue are key precautions.
As trees mature and develop hardened bark, they become more tolerant to a broader range of herbicides. This gives growers more flexibility with pre- and post-emergent herbicide products. However, that doesn’t mean you can skip caution. Understanding what your tree can handle at each stage helps you avoid mistakes. Always read product labels carefully and adjust your approach depending on whether you’re working with young plantings or established trees.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.