Pre- and post-emergent herbicides are essential tools for maintaining a healthy, weed-free lawn. Understanding how and when to use each type can make a significant difference in preventing and controlling unwanted weeds throughout the year.
Skip to: What are pre-emergent herbicides? What are post-emergent herbicides? How do I apply my herbicide?
What Are Pre-Emergent Herbicides?
These are herbicides designed to stop weeds before they even appear. They work by creating a barrier in the soil that prevents weed seeds from germinating and establishing. They are best applied at specific times of the year. Typically around early to mid Autumn and Spring, just before weed seeds begin to sprout. Pre-emergents are particularly effective against annual grassy weeds such as Crabgrass, Summer Grass, and Winter Grass.
Oxafert, which combines a herbicide with a fertiliser, is a great option as it allows you to feed your lawn while also preventing weed growth. An alternative option is Barricade, which is a liquid that is sprayed on to the lawn. For best results, pre-emergents should be applied before these weeds are seen in the lawn, as they will not remove anything that has already germinated.
What Are Post-Emergent Herbicides?
These herbicides are used to treat weeds that have already appeared. These products target actively growing weeds and are absorbed through the leaves, working down to the root to eliminate the plant. Post-emergents are ideal for tackling broadleaf weeds such as bindii, clover, and dandelion, as well as other more specific kinds of weeds like Nut Grass and Mullumbimby Couch.
All Purpose Weed Control is a popular option, specifically formulated to control a wide variety of broadleaf weeds and is safe for use on couch, bent, kikuyu, paspalum, buffalo, zoysia, fescue and rye lawns.
How Do I Apply My Herbicide?
Both types of herbicides can be applied in liquid or granular form. Although granular options are far less common for post-emergent herbicides, as a result, application methods differ slightly between the two. However, for pre and post emergent herbicides, you should always follow the application rates on the bottle. You should also check that it is safe for use on your turf type. For more herbicide application tips you can check out our blog here.
For pre-emergent application, Oxafert is a granular option best applied with a spreader and requires watering in after application. This allows the product to reach the soil where it prevents weeds from germinating. Barricade is a liquid option that is best applied with a sprayer and requires watering in after application.
For post-emergent application, All Purpose Weed Control is sprayed directly on to the lawn with the hose on bottle it comes in. Estate Broadleaf Herbicide is another option that comes as a concentrate. For application, it should be mixed in a knapsack and applied to the lawn with a sprayer.
You can find all the herbicides from this article online now on the Lawn Store.
