Granular Pre-Emergent Weed Control In Landscape Beds (Products + Tips)
Protecting flowers and ornamentals from weeds is vital, and granular pre-emergent herbicides are the first line of defense for landscape beds. There are plenty of products to choose from this spring, and we’ll cover six of the best options for keeping your landscape beds beautiful—from how they work to what they control.
Our Picks for Granular Pre-Emergents
Pre-emergent herbicides create a protective barrier on the soil surface, keeping seeds from germinating and weed roots and shoots from forming. We’ll begin with Broadstar.
BroadStar
BroadStar granular herbicide controls a wide range of annual broadleaf and grassy weeds, including spurge, bittercress, oxalis, common groundsel, and crabgrass. BroadStar is labeled for use on over 40 types of ornamentals. Control lasts up to five months, making it a good choice for lawn care operators with many customers and those seeking long-lasting results. It’s also low-odor and dust-free, making applications simple and hassle-free.
Active Ingredient: Flumioxazin
Mode of Action: Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor
Freehand
Freehand granular herbicide suppresses a variety of weeds, including crabgrass, goosegrass, sedges, and other summer annuals. Its combination of two active ingredients gives it a broader range of control than some other options, and it provides between three and four months of control.
Active Ingredients: Dimethenamid, Pendimethalin
Modes of Action: Microtubule assembly inhibitor, Shoot growth inhibitor
Snapshot
Snapshot specialty herbicide provides broad-spectrum control and is labeled for use on over 120 broadleaf and grassy weeds, including crabgrass, ragweed, and more. Snapshot is also gentle to the plants customers want to protect, labeled for use on over 600 ornamentals. It provides control for between six and nine weeks. It’s important to note that while the label is wide, spurge is not well-controlled by Snapshot. Unlike some other options, Snapshot works best when applied under the mulch.
Active Ingredients: Trifluralin, Isoxaben
Modes of Action: Miotic inhibitor, Cellulose biosynthesis (CBI) inhibitor
Crew
Crew granular herbicide combines the powers of Dimension and Gallery to create a long-lasting product with high tolerance. Crew provides protection to over 400 ornamentals and boasts a large application window while controlling and suppressing over 120 broadleaf and grassy weeds, including chickweed, clover, and more. Its ultra-low dust granule has a low odor, and control lasts up to five months.
Active Ingredients: Dithiopyr, Isoxaben
Modes of Action: Miotic inhibitor, Cellulose biosynthesis (CBI) inhibitor
Dimension 0.25G DG Pro
Dimension 0.25G DG Pro granular herbicide provides pre-emergent control of 23 different common broadleaf weeds. Its small particle formulation means more product per square inch, which means better distribution. Tolerant to over 100 ornamentals, Dimension 0.25G DG Pro is a good option for cost-conscious lawn care operators looking to provide excellent control.
Active Ingredient: Dithiopyr
Mode of Action: Miotic inhibitor
Trammel
Trammel 5% Granlime granular herbicide controls 22 annual grasses and 10 broadleaf weed species, including chickweed and Russian thistle. This selective pre-emergent option is a budget-friendly herbicide option that controls common nuisance weeds customers may encounter. Repeat applications can be made 60 days after the initial application.
Active Ingredient: Trifluralin
Mode of Action: Miotic inhibitor
Applying Your Product
Whichever granular herbicide you choose, you’ll need to use will need water to activate it. If you can time your application before a rain event, that’s preferable. You can also water in the herbicide yourself or advise that your customers water it in after you’ve applied it. Apply the product on top of mulch (except Snapshot) to keep weeds from growing in your customers’ mulch layers.
Timing Your Application
Like many lawn care tasks, the timing of your application is dependent on the weather. Be sure to make your application before crabgrass emerges in the spring. A second application is likely going to be required, and depending on your product of choice, that next application may be sooner rather than later since summer weeds tend to be particularly nasty (and resilient).
Some Parting Tips
Never apply granular herbicides to wet foliage, and avoid letting the granules sit on plants you have no desire to kill. If you’re looking for more information on any of these products or general advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to your ATS rep.
