When you want the nicest garden, you don’t want to be dealing with weeds all the time. You have the choice of pre and post-emergent and pre-emergent herbicides.
Because of this, many gardeners go on the offensive with using pre-emergents to deal with annual weeds to get the best results.
Rather than using a post-emergent herbicide, applying pre-emergent herbicides at the best time of spring or fall, to prevent weeds in turf grasses and make lawn care and lawn weeds that little bit easier to deal with.
When using the right pre-emergent herbicide application, the weed seeds don’t have a chance. In our reviews, we look at the best pre-emergent herbicide for weed control. (Find the Best Pet-Friendly Weed and Feed)
By the end, you will see how you can apply pre-emergent weed prevention chemicals, what to look for in your lawn care products and which pre-emergent herbicide delivers the best results.
Contents
Why You Need Good Pre-Emergent Weed Killer
A crabgrass preventer is also considered a pre-emergent herbicide. Applying pre-emergent before weeds start, and it’s an effective strategy to reduce this unwelcome weed issue.
These herbicides are, in a way, weed control chemicals that can keep your lawn from developing crabgrass.
Please remember, they can’t control weeds by avoiding the germination of the seeds. Herbicides work as they regulate the weed instead, so it does not sprout. The pre-emergent herbicide functions differently from others.
With fertilizer, for example, you can use another type of weed killer during the growing season. Whenever it is not windy or raining, you use a weed killer. Before the weed is noticeable, you will start applying a pre-emergent weed killer. (Learn the Best Time To Spray Weed Killer)
A pre-emergent herbicide is not going to fix the problem if you already have to stop weeds in your yard and can see them. There is an exception to the rule, however. Dithiopyr is present in certain pre-emergent herbicides, and are pre-emergent products, so they function both before and after weeds sprout.
Top Pre-Emergent Weed Killer Reviews
1. Preen 2464092 Extended Control Weed Preventer
Are you looking for a pre-emergent for a tree area or flowerbed? Preen is the option for you.
Preen 2464092 guarantees it will block weeds for six months without needing to reapply. You shouldn’t use this pre-emergent herbicide on plants that produce foods, seeds, or your general lawn, but it works well for flower gardens and other landscaped areas.
It offers a long-term weed blocking solution that comes with an easy flip-top applicator to apply pre-emergent granular weed killer. The pre-emergent weed killer is water activated. It will also cover a large area, and the small 4.93 pounds container covers 805 square feet.
Pros
- Blocks weeds for up to 6 months
- Pre-Emergent weed killer covers a large area
- Easy to apply with flip-top applicator lid
Cons
- Not for use around flowers, lawns, vegetable gardens, or edible plants
- Won’t work unless you follow the pre-emergent’s instructions
With a guide price of just under $50, you get great value for money when you consider this is a one-off treatment for half the year.
It is highly effective for well-established trees and flowerbeds although it’s not for lawns.
2. The Andersons Barricade Professional-Grade Granular Pre-Emergent Weed Control
Whether you’re looking to control broadleaf weeds before they start growing, The Andersons brand could be ideal as it is a professional use turf barricade.
Barricades may help prevent weed growth, yet they don’t get rid of weeds already established. It is best to apply in early spring, and you need to be sure the top four inches of soil temperature hasn’t reached 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nevertheless, you can use it to stop annual bluegrass in the early fall (poa annua), and other grass and broadleaf and grassy weeds can be prevented from growing, comprising spurge, witchgrass, cup grass, pigweed, and more.
Prodiamine is the active ingredient at a concentration of 0 .48 per cent. You do need to read the directions before use. You will also need to check, when and how much to apply; depending on the broadleaf weeds, you want to control.
Pros
- Just 2 applications per year in spring and fall
- Highly effective for large areas
- Used by professional turf care
- More chemicals per square inch
Cons
- Hard to read instructions
- May not be effective against dandelions or clover
With a guide price of just under $30 for the 18-pound bag, it is a cost-effective solution that delivers long term protection in specified areas such as grasslands, sports fields, golf courses, and others indicated on the label.
3. Scotts WeedEx Prevent with Halts – Crabgrass Preventer, Pre-Emergent Weed Control for Lawns, Prevents Chickweed, Oxalis, Foxtail & More All Season Long
If you want to stop broadleaf weeds all growing season, then according to Scotts, a single application of Scotts WeedEX Prevent with Halts product in the early spring can prevent crabgrass and other problem weeds.
It can control crabgrass, foxtail, spurge, barnyard grass, fall panicum, henbit, chickweed, poa annua, corn speedwell, annual bluegrass, and oxalis when you apply pre-emergent with an early fall application.
If you suffer from goosegrass control, you do need to second application in around eight weeks. Scotts also claim that rain, snow, or freezing cold soil temperature doesn’t affect this weed killers performance. You do need to use a broadcast, drop, or hand-held spreaders for application.
Pros
- Can prevent crabgrass all season
- Weather elements won’t affect weed killing performance
- Prevents crabgrass before it begins
- Highly affordable
Cons
- Needs spreader for application
- Not for use on grass types like dichondra or bentgrass
With a guide price of just below $18, the 10-pound bag of the product can cover a large area and can treat up to 5,000 square feet.
4. Southern Ag 12401 SURFLAN A.S PRE-Emergent HERBICIDE
Southern Ag’s Surflan A.S weed control pre-emergent herbicide product, when you apply pre-emergent as directed, can last for up to four months.
With this, you get a full season of coverage against grassy weeds when you apply the pre-emergent weed prevention in northern cooler climates.
One thing with this pre-emergent herbicide product is that you don’t have to water it in immediately. So long as you’re not anticipating torrential rain, you can delay up to 21 days before you water the weed killer and stimulate the active ingredient.
You can combine the Surflan with other weed killers if there are some distinct weed seeds issues in your lawn care.
It can be used on established areas such as golf courses and with grass types of Bahia grass, Buffalo grass, Bermudagrass, St. Augustine, Centipede, Poa annua and Zoysia.
Pros
- Small 1.5 to 3 oz covers up 3,000 square feet mixed with water
- Lasts up to 4 months
- Selective pre-emergent bottle lasts 2 or 3 applications
- Kills St. Augustine broadleaf and grassy weeds
Cons
- Doesn’t last as long as some pre-emergent herbicides
- Only suited for cooler climates
With a guide price of below $18, this selective pre-emergence surface-applied pre-emergent herbicide for weed control, controls annual grasses and a selection of grassy and broadleaf weeds. It is very easy to use and make weed control a low maintenance task.
Pre-Emergent Weed Killer Buying guide
Pre-emergent herbicides cover the weeds’ seeds and suffocate them. Consequently, the year before you want to buy it you should search for the one you need.
With this approach, you can see where you have full-grown weeds and use them more effectively. Unlike pre, and post-emergent herbicide deals with weeds you have. You also find a post-emergent herbicide can’t be used at certain times. (Read How Long Does Weed Killer Last)
When purchasing, it is more the needs rather than types or differences of the post or pre-emergent weed killers. Here’s a few things to know.
The first thing to do during the fall and summer months is to decide the types of weeds you have in your garden. You should take samples of the weeds if you are not sure what they are.
The common broadleaf weeds in your region may, of course, vary from other areas. Your local garden centers will certainly know which ones you have.
Make sure to read the label whenever shopping for pre-emergent herbicides. You do this to make sure they work with the types of weeds in your yard. Some are intended to kill weeds in grass, while others work best on grassy and broadleaf weeds. (Read Grass Liquid Fertilizer)
For professional pre-emergent herbicides, you can find liquid sprays and granules. Therefore, you can now decide which form is best for your garden. It could be based on your personal preference or how easy it is for the professional product application around your area.
You would have to apply water the spot where you have applied the pre-emergent herbicide if you want granules. The rain can achieve this, so you can time your application to fall in line with the weather.
Selective liquid herbicides, which are pre-emergents need mixing with the correct amount of water. You then need to use a sprayer to apply the pre-emergent on weed seeds.
Therefore, by watering the granules or obtaining additional equipment, you will take an extra step. A professional sprayer may come with some of the liquid weed killers, and this means you can avoid the cost of renting or purchasing one.
You will need to think about how much of the annual weed killer you require. The labels should tell you the square footage of grasses it controls. To be certain you have enough, you’ll need to measure your yard and calculate the square footage for application.
Final Verdict
While checking which will be the best herbicide pre-emergent weed killer, there are different ways to approach the control of grassy weeds. Instead of using a post-emergent herbicide, we focused on a pre-emergent herbicide.
Application, effectiveness, and how long the weed control of grassy and broadleaf weeds last for are all factors among many others. We concluded the Preen 2464092 Extended Control Weed Preventer was the number one for many reasons.
Although you do need to be careful where you use the granular pre-emergent herbicide, it offers a lengthy six months coverage and controls weeds in a large area.
Add to this, it is very easy to apply, and it just takes a flip of the lid. Preen weed preventer is the best weed killer with pre-emergent properties you can find for many yard use scenarios.
