Pre-Emergent Herbicides

Liquid Pre-emergents | Granular Pre-emergents | Wettable Powder Pre-emergents

Lawn Care Schedules & Maintenance Calendars

Cool Season Grasses | Warm Season Grasses

Pre-emergent herbicides are usually applied in the early growing season and help prevent target grass and broadleaf weed seeds from germinating as the weather begins to warm up in the Spring.  A pre-emergent herbicide, or weed preventer, will create a barrier around a seed, making it nearly impossible for the seed to sprout and the weed or grass to grow.

Pre-emergent weed control is typically applied twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, to help prevent weeds that germinate in the spring and fall. Learn more about Applying Spring Pre-Emergent Weed Control and Why You Should Be Using a Fall Pre-Emergent.

When applying pre-emergents, be careful to aerate first, and not after applying the products.  Aeration can break the seal over the ground and around the seeds which makes the pre-emergents less effective.  In some areas, you may need to do a split application of pre-emergent weed control – meaning you’ll apply your pre-emergents early (spring or fall), then aerate, then do a second application of pre-emergents to get season long control. 

Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied using a granular spreader or a pressurized handheld sprayer. Most liquid herbicides come as concentrated solutions that need to be mixed with water first (according to the label) before application.  Granular herbicides can be spread using a granular spreader and may require irrigation in order to help the granule release the pre-emergent chemical.

Be sure to check out our full Do My Own Lawn Care Video Series.

Spring Pre-Emergents Application Video | Fall Pre-emergents Application Video