Landscape Bed Management: Pre-Emergent Weed Control + Fertilization

Professional Weed Prevention That Feeds Your Plants While It Protects

At WhiteHouse Landscapes LLC, we believe smart landscape management does double duty. That’s why our Landscape Bed Management program uses Dimension 0.15% 15-0-0 30% PolyPlus OPTI45 Pre-Emergent Plus Fertilizer—a professional-grade product that stops weeds before they start while simultaneously feeding your ornamental plants for healthier, more vibrant growth.

What Is Dimension Pre-Emergent Plus Fertilizer?

Dimension Pre-Emergent Plus Fertilizer is a dual-action landscape bed treatment that combines two powerful benefits in one application:

1. Pre-Emergent Weed Control (Dithiopyr 0.15%)

The active ingredient dithiopyr (Dimension) creates an invisible barrier in the soil that prevents weed seeds from germinating and establishing. Unlike older pre-emergent products, Dimension offers a unique window of effectiveness—it can control certain weeds even in the early post-emergent stage (up to 3-4 weeks after germination for crabgrass), giving you extended protection and flexibility.

What Dimension controls:

Crabgrass (large and smooth)
Foxtails (green, yellow, giant)
Annual bluegrass (Poa annua)
Goosegrass
Barnyardgrass
Spurge
Purslane
Chickweed
Henbit
Many other annual grasses and broadleaf weeds

2. Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer (15-0-0 with 30% PolyPlus OPTI45)

The 15-0-0 formulation provides nitrogen—the most critical nutrient for healthy plant growth, vibrant foliage color, and vigorous development. The PolyPlus OPTI45 technology means this nitrogen releases slowly over 4-5 months, providing consistent feeding without the feast-or-famine cycles that cause plant stress.

What the fertilizer component delivers:

15% Nitrogen: Promotes lush, green foliage and strong stem development
PolyPlus OPTI45 Technology: Polymer-coated granules release nutrients gradually as soil temperatures and moisture trigger breakdown
Extended feeding: Single application provides months of consistent nutrition
No burning: Slow-release formula won’t burn plant roots even in hot weather
Efficient uptake: Plants receive nutrition when they need it, not all at once

Why This Combination Product Is Superior

One Application = Two Benefits

Traditional landscape bed management requires separate applications of pre-emergent herbicide and fertilizer—doubling labor costs and application time. Dimension Pre-Emergent Plus Fertilizer delivers both benefits in a single treatment, making it more cost-effective and efficient.

Healthier Plants Resist Weed Competition Better

Well-fed ornamental plants develop denser canopies, stronger root systems, and more vigorous growth. This natural competitiveness helps suppress any weeds that might break through the pre-emergent barrier. You’re not just preventing weeds—you’re creating conditions where your desirable plants dominate.

Extended Control Window

Unlike older pre-emergent products that only work on ungerminated seeds, Dimension offers early post-emergent control on certain grasses like crabgrass. If you’re a few weeks late on application timing, or if unseasonably warm weather triggers early germination, Dimension can still control young weeds that have just emerged—giving you insurance against timing miscalculations.

Safe for Established Ornamentals

Dimension is labeled for use around over 600 ornamental species including:

Perennials (hostas, daylilies, coneflowers, salvia, etc.)
Shrubs (azaleas, boxwoods, hollies, hydrangeas, etc.)
Ornamental grasses
Groundcovers
Trees

The slow-release fertilizer component won’t burn sensitive plants and provides nutrition at rates ornamentals can efficiently use.

The Critical Timing: Why Early Spring Applications Matter

February and March are the most important months of the entire growing season for weed control in Union and Florence landscape beds. Here’s why early spring application of Dimension Pre-Emergent Plus Fertilizer sets the foundation for season-long success:

Weed Seeds Are Waiting to Germinate

Throughout winter, millions of weed seeds have accumulated in your landscape beds—blown in by wind, deposited by birds, tracked in on shoes and equipment. These seeds are dormant, waiting for soil temperatures to trigger germination.

In Northern Kentucky, soil temperatures typically reach 55°F in mid-to-late March—the critical threshold where summer annual weeds like crabgrass begin germinating. Dimension must be in place before this happens to create the protective barrier.

The timing window is specific:

Too early (January): Product may degrade before peak germination periods
Perfect timing (February-March): Barrier establishes just as soil temps approach germination thresholds
Too late (April-May): Weeds have already germinated; you’ve missed the prevention opportunity

Early Application = Full-Season Protection

A properly timed February or March application of Dimension Pre-Emergent Plus Fertilizer provides:

Immediate weed prevention: Barrier forms within days of application, ready when soil temps trigger germination

4-5 months of control: Single application provides protection through the critical April-July period when weed pressure is most intense

Extended post-emergent window: If any crabgrass germinates early (warm February/March spells), Dimension can still control it in the 2-4 leaf stage

Continuous plant nutrition: Your ornamentals receive steady nitrogen feeding from early spring through summer, supporting strong spring growth and summer resilience

Protect Your Spring Investment

Early spring is peak planting season. Homeowners and landscapers invest in:

Fresh mulch applications
New perennial installations
Bed renovations and expansions
Spring cleanup and preparation

A February or March Dimension application protects these investments by ensuring weeds don’t undermine your freshly improved beds. Nothing undermines the beauty of new plantings and fresh mulch faster than weeds popping through by late April.

Break the Weed Seed Cycle

Understanding the multiplication effect explains why early spring timing is non-negotiable:

One crabgrass plant produces 150,000+ seeds in a single season
One purslane plant produces 240,000+ seeds
One pigweed plant produces 100,000+ seeds

Every weed that successfully germinates and matures in your beds this spring deposits hundreds of thousands of seeds for next year. Early spring pre-emergent application breaks this cycle completely—seeds germinate but die immediately, producing zero seeds for future generations.

Miss the early spring window, and you’re not just dealing with this year’s weeds—you’re exponentially increasing next year’s weed pressure.

Your Plants Need Early Nutrition

Beyond weed control, early spring is when ornamental plants need nitrogen most. As they break dormancy and initiate new growth, they’re drawing heavily on stored nutrients. The 15-0-0 fertilizer component:

Supports vigorous spring flush of new foliage
Enhances flower bud development on spring bloomers
Strengthens stems and branches emerging from dormancy
Improves plants’ stress tolerance for summer heat ahead
Enhances color intensity in foliage and blooms

Plants that receive early spring fertilization consistently outperform unfed plants throughout the entire growing season.

Follow-Up Application Schedule: Maintaining Year-Round Protection

Dimension Pre-Emergent Plus Fertilizer provides 4-5 months of weed control and plant nutrition. To maintain continuous protection and feeding throughout the growing season, follow-up applications are critical.

Professional Application Schedule

Application 1: February/March (Early Spring)

Target weeds: Summer annual grasses and broadleaf weeds (crabgrass, foxtail, spurge, purslane, pigweed, goosegrass)

Target plant needs: Breaking dormancy; initiating spring growth

Timing rationale: Soil temperatures approaching 55°F; germination imminent

Protection & feeding period: April through July

Critical for: Foundation of season-long control; supporting spring growth flush

Application 2: June/July (Mid-Summer)

Target weeds: Late-germinating summer annuals; early cool-season annuals

Target plant needs: Supporting growth through summer heat stress; maintaining color and vigor

Timing rationale: First application protection is degrading (4-5 months elapsed); late summer weed germination begins

Protection & feeding period: August through November

Critical for: Maintaining clean beds through peak heat; preparing plants for fall with continued nutrition

Application 3: October/November (Fall)

Target weeds: Cool-season annual weeds (annual bluegrass, chickweed, henbit, bittercress)

Target plant needs: Building root reserves before dormancy; late-season growth in evergreens

Timing rationale: Fall rains and cooling temperatures trigger cool-season weed germination

Protection & feeding period: December through March

Critical for: Clean beds through winter; reduced spring weed pressure; helping plants prepare for winter dormancy

Why This Three-Application Strategy Works

Continuous Protection: No gap periods where weeds can establish. Each application is timed to begin working just as the previous application’s effectiveness wanes.

Seasonal Weed Coverage: Different weeds germinate at different times. Three properly spaced applications control both warm-season and cool-season weed species.

Consistent Plant Nutrition: Your ornamental plants receive steady nitrogen feeding throughout the active growing season (March-November), supporting optimal health, color, and growth without feast-famine cycles.

Cumulative Improvement: Year one shows dramatic results. Year two is even better. By year three, the soil seed bank is largely depleted, and beds become naturally resistant to weed invasion.

Flexibility for Weather Variations: If unusual weather triggers early or late germination events, the overlapping protection windows provide insurance.

Application Rate & Coverage

Professional application rate: 3.5-4.0 lbs per 1,000 square feet

Coverage per 50 lb bag: Approximately 12,500-14,000 square feet

Proper application technique ensures:

Even distribution across entire bed surface
Adequate pre-emergent barrier formation
Uniform fertilizer coverage for consistent plant feeding
No gaps where weeds can establish
No overlaps that waste product or risk plant sensitivity

What Dimension Pre-Emergent DOES NOT Do

Important limitations to understand:

Does not kill existing weeds: Dimension prevents weed seeds from germinating and establishing. Weeds already growing in your beds when application occurs are not affected and require hand-pulling or post-emergent spot treatment.

Does not control established perennial weeds: Weeds spreading from underground root systems (nutsedge, bindweed, ground ivy, violets) are not controlled by pre-emergent products. These require targeted post-emergent herbicides or mechanical removal.

Does not provide complete nutrition: The 15-0-0 formulation supplies nitrogen only. While nitrogen is the most important macronutrient for foliage growth, plants also need phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) for root development, flowering, and stress tolerance. Supplemental fertilization or soil amendments may be beneficial depending on soil conditions.

Requires soil contact: Dimension must reach the soil surface to form the protective barrier. Heavy mulch (>3-4 inches) or dense groundcover can reduce effectiveness by intercepting granules before they reach soil.

This is why our complete Landscape Bed Management program combines Dimension applications with regular maintenance visits for hand-weeding, monitoring, and supplemental care as needed.

The WhiteHouse Landscapes Advantage

Our Landscape Bed Management program delivers more than just product application—it’s integrated, science-based weed management tailored to Northern Kentucky’s specific conditions:

✓ Certified expertise: ISA Certified Arborist KY-0847A and KY Master Gardener with 30+ years of horticultural experience

✓ Precision timing: Applications scheduled based on soil temperature monitoring and regional germination patterns, not arbitrary dates

✓ Professional-grade products: Commercial formulations not available to homeowners; superior results to retail products

✓ Proper calibration: Broadcast spreaders professionally calibrated to deliver exact application rates across your entire bed area

✓ Safe for ornamentals: Careful application around sensitive species; knowledge of which plants require special consideration

✓ Comprehensive service: Pre-emergent applications combined with regular maintenance visits for hand-weeding, edge definition, mulch management, and plant health monitoring

✓ Long-term strategy: Year-over-year improvement as seed banks deplete and beds become naturally more resistant to weed invasion

✓ Local knowledge: Decades of experience with Northern Kentucky’s clay soils, weather patterns, and specific weed challenges

Investment & Expected Results

Landscape Bed Management Program Options:

BASIC – Pre-Emergent Only From $105.00 per visit up to 1,000 sqft.

Three applications annually (Feb/March, June/July, Oct/Nov)
Dimension 0.15% Pre-Emergent Plus Fertilizer
Professional application with calibrated equipment
Weed prevention + continuous plant feeding

STANDARD – Pre-Emergent + Maintenance From $761.25 or $63.44 per Month ( x9mo.) for beds up to 1,000 sqft.

Three pre-emergent applications annually
Monthly maintenance visits (April-October)
Hand-weeding of breakthrough weeds
Edge definition and debris removal
Plant health monitoring

PREMIUM – Complete Bed Care From $829.75 or $92.20 per Month ( x9 mo.) for beds up to 1,000 sqft.

Three pre-emergent applications annually
Monthly maintenance visits (March-November)
Hand-weeding and spot treatment
Edge definition and mulch management
Seasonal mulch refresh
Plant health monitoring and recommendations

What You Can Expect – Timeline of Results

Week 1-2 After Application:

Pre-emergent barrier establishes in soil
Fertilizer granules begin slow-release process
Weed germination prevention active

Weeks 3-8:

Dramatic reduction in weed germination compared to untreated beds
Visible improvement in plant foliage color and vigor
New growth emerges more robust and healthy

Months 2-4:

Near-zero weed pressure in beds
Ornamental plants showing peak health and color
Minimal hand-weeding required during maintenance visits

Month 4-5:

Protection from first application beginning to wane
Second application scheduled before gap occurs
Plants continue receiving nutrition from slow-release formula

Year 1 Complete Results:

80-90% reduction in total weed pressure compared to untreated beds
Visibly healthier, more colorful ornamental plants
Dramatically reduced time spent on bed maintenance

Year 2+ Results:

95%+ reduction in weed pressure as seed bank depletes
Beds become naturally self-maintaining
Plants reach peak landscape performance
Neighborhood curb appeal leader

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Dimension safe around my dogs/cats? A: Yes. Once applied and watered in (or after rainfall), Dimension poses no risk to pets. We recommend keeping pets off treated areas until the first rainfall or irrigation, then beds are safe for normal pet activity.

Q: Will this hurt my existing plants? A: No. Dimension is labeled safe for use around over 600 ornamental species. The slow-release fertilizer provides gentle, consistent feeding that won’t burn established plants.

Q: What if I want to add new plants mid-season? A: Dimension does not affect transplants—only seeds. You can plant container-grown perennials, shrubs, or ornamental grasses anytime after application without concern. Consult us before direct-seeding annual flowers.

Q: Can I apply this myself? A: Professional application ensures proper rate, even coverage, and timing. Miscalculation can result in inadequate weed control or potential plant injury. Our professional equipment and experience delivers optimal results.

Q: What about organic/natural options? A: We understand some clients prefer organic approaches. While we can discuss alternatives, it’s important to understand that organic pre-emergent options (corn gluten meal, etc.) provide significantly less effective control and require much more frequent application. For most clients, the reduced environmental impact of preventing weeds with Dimension outweighs treating established weeds repeatedly with other products.

Q: Do I still need to pull weeds? A: Dimension provides 85-95% control when properly applied and maintained. Some hand-weeding of breakthrough weeds and perennial weeds is still necessary, but the amount is dramatically reduced—minutes instead of hours.

Start Your Protection Now

The best time to start pre-emergent weed control and plant nutrition was last February. The second-best time is right now.

Whether you’re beginning a new program or maintaining existing protection, WhiteHouse Landscapes LLC has the expertise and professional-grade products to keep your Union or Florence landscape beds weed-free and your plants thriving year-round.

Don’t wait until weeds take over and plants struggle. Prevention and proactive nutrition are always easier (and more cost-effective) than reaction.

Ready to Reclaim Your Weekends and Enjoy Beautiful Beds?

📞 Call today for a free 30 minute landscape evaluation: (859) 444-0486 or BOOK ONLINE
📧 Email: [business@whitehouselandscapes.com
🌐 Service Area: Union, Florence, Burlington, and surrounding Boone County communities

Michael Whitehouse, ISA Certified Arborist KY-0847A & Kentucky Master Gardener
WhiteHouse Landscapes LLC
Professional Landscape Bed Management Since 2016
Serving Northern Kentucky with Science-Based Solutions