What is the best time to apply postemergence herbicides?

The best time to apply postemergence herbicides is when plants are actively growing. This is because postemergence herbicides are specifically designed to target weeds that have already emerged and are in their growth phase. Applying these herbicides to actively growing plants allows for better absorption, translocation, and effectiveness of the chemical, as the active ingredients can easily move within the plant and disrupt its growth process.

In contrast, applying herbicides before weed emergence or to dormant plants would not be effective since the target weeds would not be present or actively growing, limiting the herbicide's ability to control them. Additionally, applying when the soil is completely dry does not provide the optimal conditions for herbicide activation and absorption, which usually requires some moisture to facilitate movement into the plant. Therefore, timing the application to coincide with active growth is crucial for achieving the desired control over weed populations.