Pre-emergent herbicides are an important part of a weed control plan for any property. A pre-emergent herbicide works by stopping weeds before or during germination so that they never get a chance to come up. If you can stop weeds this way, then you’ll spend less time pulling weeds or treating your lawn with post-emergent herbicides during the spring. 

Finding the right herbicide for your situation can be tough, especially with so many products out there from which to choose. We’ve put together a list of the 8 best pre-emergent herbicides and a handy buyer’s guide to help you narrow down which product is right for you. 

At a Glance – Our Top Picks

8 Best Pre-Emergent Weed Control Options

1) Pendulum 3.3 EC Herbicide

If you’ve got Crabgrass, Pendulum has your solution.

Pendulum 3.3 EC Herbicide gives you a lot of value for your dollar. To use, you’ll mix this product with water and spread it evenly across your lawn and landscape. Like most pre-emergent herbicides, you won’t want to use this on newly seeded areas. The fact that this herbicide works on your whole lawn are a major bonus since many do not.  

It’s primary ingredient is pendimethalin and it controls over 40 weed types and invasive grasses including the following:

• Crabgrass
• Summer Annual bluegrass
• Burweed (lawn)
• Carpetweed
• Chickweed (common and mouseear)
• Clover (hop)
• Cudweed
• Evening Primrose
• Fiddleneck
• Filaree
• Henbit
• Knotweed (prostrate)
• Kochia

It is an oil-based product, so it can stain sidewalks. Be very careful when spraying cracks.

What We Like

• Big bang for your buck
• Works on all types of grass lawns
• Liquid formula is easy to use

Specs

• Coverage: 1.5oz mixed with water covers 1000sqft.
• Primary Use: Lawn and landscape

Verdict

If you’re in the market for a product that brings value to your landscaping game, then this might be a good option for you. We like that it works on your whole lawn – just be careful around sidewalks. It’s an easy to use and versatile product. 

Rating: 4.5/5

2) Surflan AS Specialty Herbicide

Surflan AS Specialty Herbicide is a water-based pre-emergent herbicide that does a lot of work with only a little product. This product works well in many environments, including containers, large landscaped areas, lawns, and even non-bearing vineyards or fields.

It’s safe for use on most grass types, including Bermuda grass, Bahia grass, Buffalo grass, Centipede grass, St. Augustine grass, Zoysia grass and Tall Fescue.

Many lawn care professionals use Surflan pre-emergent products, as the brand has a reputation as a professional grade product that is not only a crabgrass preventer, but a product that works on almost any type of weed.

Grasses it controls include: Barnyardgrass, Bluegrass annual (Poa annua), Crabgrass, Crowfootgrass, Foxtail (giant, green, yellow), Goosegrass, Itchgrass, Johnsongrass (from seed), Junglerice, Lovegrass (from seed).

Weeds it controls include urweed (lawn), Carpetweed, Chickweed (common and mouseear), Clover (hop), Cudweed, Evening Primrose, Fiddleneck, Filaree, Henbit, Knotweed (prostrate), Kochia, Lambsquarters, Pigweed, Purslane, Pusley (Florida), Rocket (London), Shepherdspurse, Smartweed (Pennsylvania).

What We Like

• Low odor
• Versatile
• Can use immediately before heavy rains

Specs

• Coverage: 1.5oz mixed with water covers 1000sqft. 
• Primary Use: Container plants, ornamental plants and ground covering, and non-bearing vineyards

Verdict

Surflan AS works in many environments, which makes it an excellent product for people who are looking for versatility in their weed prevention. Although this product is still not approved for use on food or in water systems, it works well in many other capacities to keep weeds at bay and yards beautiful. 

Note: one active ingredient is naphthalene, which is warned to cause cancer – so be extremely careful when handling the product.

Rating: 4/5

3) Barricade Pre Emergence

BARRICADE Pre Emergence is the first herbicide to make our list that you can use on seedlings. It’s a granular pre-emergent designed to selectively control crabgrass, broadleaf weeds and other grassy weeds. It’s safe to use in many environments beyond turfgrass lawns, including on potted plants, in nurseries and seedling nurseries, ungrazed fence rows, and Christmas tree farms. It is the most versatile we’ve seen so far, and it’s a good value. 

Apply a few weeks before the growing season before soil temperatures are high enough for weeds to sprout. Then consider a second application in early fall. Barricade controls all sorts of annual weeds, weed seeds, and invasive grasses.

What We Like

• Works with seedlings
• Can utilize broadcast spreader
• Easy to apply and clean up after application

Specs

• Application rate of 10lbs per 5000 square feet 
• Primary Uses: Seedling nurseries, nurseries, ornamental farms, ungrazed pasture, developed areas like parking lots and roads
• Prodiamine .58%

Verdict

We love that Barricade works with seedlings, so you don’t have to worry about avoiding areas that aren’t fully established when you’re spreading this herbicide. You get a lot of value for your money with this product, and because it’s a granular pre-emergent, it’s easy to apply with a spreader. Just make sure you prepare for stains if the granules hit your clothing during application. 

Rating: 5/5

4) 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 herbicide on plants that produce foods, seeds, or your general lawn, but it works well for flower gardens and other landscaped areas. 

What We Like

• Easy flip-top applicator
• Long-term weed blocking option
• Water-activated

Specs

• Coverage: 10lbs covers 1630sqft.
• Primary Use: Transplanted and established, non-edible plants

Verdict

This pre-emergent herbicide by Preen is great for well-established plants but isn’t ideal for newly planted plants or lawns. It’s not for lawns, but is ideal for trees and flowerbeds.

Rating: 4/5

5) Green Light Amaze Grass and Weed Preventer

This option is best for flowerbeds, not great for lawns.

Green Light Amaze Grass and Weed Preventer works for four months upon initial application, which means it will work for most of the summer if you apply in the early spring. This product covers a lot of ground with a single bag, so you won’t feel like it’s breaking the bank.  

What We Like

• Controls crabgrass
• Easy to apply granules
• Pet safe

Specs

• Coverage: 10lbs covers 4000sqft. 
• Primary Use: Established flowers, roses, trees, and shrubs

Verdict

Timing is important with this product since it will not kill established weeds or stop them after germination. It protects at the soil’s surface to stop weeds before they start and is a pet-safe product. You won’t want to use this on new seeds or not-yet-established garden areas. 

Rating: 4.5/5

6) Surflan Pro Pre-Emergent Herbicide Concentrate

Surflan Pro is an excellent product for long-term weed prevention in warmer climates. If you live somewhere warm where weeds are a problem year-round, this might be the solution you’ve been looking for. Surflan Pro is a concentrate that you’ll apply by mixing with water to control weeds in a variety of settings. 

What We Like

• Eight months of weed control from a single application
• Can apply with mulch colorants
• Small liquid container is safer to store safely than bagged products

Specs

• Coverage: 1.5oz mixed with water covers 1000sqft. 
• Primary Uses: Landscape beds, nursery containers, and grounds maintenance 

Verdict

Surflan Pro is an excellent pre-emergent herbicide for long-term weed control. It’s easy to store safely and even easier to use. We love the value you get with this product as well. It’s a professional-grade product that won’t break the bank. 

7) Quali-Pro Prodiamine 65 WDG

Quali-Pro Prodiamine 65 is a granular herbicide that you’ll dissolve in water to apply on your lawn, turn, or even in your trees. You can apply it in the spring or fall, although the company recommends early springtime application. This container will last you for many seasons if you’re using it on only an acre or two, which means it’s a good value overall. 

What We Like

• Dissolves well without clogging sprayer nozzles
• One container lasts for a long time
• Can apply at 40 to 45 degrees

Specs

• Coverage: 2tsp mixed with water covers 1000sqft. 
• Primary Uses: Turf, trees, golf courses, and landscaping

Verdict

Quali-Pro has a great product here that gets excellent reviews. This herbicide works well in shade and sun, and you can apply it in the spring or fall. You can use before most other pre-emergent herbicides, which is a bonus because you’re more likely to see results from an earlier application.

Rating: 4/5

8) Southern Ag – 12401 – Surflan A.S. – Pre-Emergent Herbicide

Southern Ag’s Surflan A.S. product lasts up to four months when you use it as directed, which means you’ll get a whole season of protection out of it in cooler climates. You don’t even need to water this herbicide right away, which makes it easier to use if you’re short on time. You can wait up to 21 days to water as long as you aren’t expecting heavy rain. 

What We Like

• Combinable with other weed killers
• Water-soluble
• Takes care of crabgrass and other annual grasses

Specs

• Coverage: 3oz mixed with water covers 1000sqft. 
• Primary Uses: Established warm-season turf, drainage areas, ground covers, and non-bearing fruit and nut trees

Verdict

Although Southern Ag’s Surflan A.S. doesn’t last as long as some of the herbicides on our list, it is a good option for cooler climates where the landscaping season doesn’t last as long. It’s easy to use, and low maintenance since you don’t even need to water it in right away should you run out of time or energy to do so. 

Rating: 4/5

Buyer’s Guide

Pre-emergent herbicides are specialty products that work best when you apply them at the right time and with the right tools. Understanding more about how these herbicides work and when to apply them will help you to succeed at weed control. 

How do pre-emergent herbicides work?

Pre-emergent herbicides are a form of weed and crabgrass control that essentially create a barrier at the top layer of soil to prevent weeds from forming roots and shoots. You’ll see these herbicides prevent crabgrass most often, but they also work on other types of lawn weeds and unwanted ground cover.

When is the best time to apply pre-emergent weed control?

Each container of herbicide will give you exact directions on when and how to apply it to your landscaping, but there are some general rules. If you’re applying a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring, then you’ll want to wait for air temperatures to reach 65-70 degrees for four consecutive days before applying. Usually this is a few weeks before you start regular mowing.

After application, you should water in granular herbicides using about ½ inch of irrigation. Liquid herbicides won’t require watering in, but they are much harder to come by than granular products. 

How Aggressive Should I Be About Weeding And Feeding St. Augustine?

You’ll want to understand what types of weeds you see most in your landscaping and what types of plants you have in your yard that may be negatively affected by an herbicide. You’ll also want to know if any animals will utilize the area where you’re applying your herbicide to determine which one is your best option. 

Every herbicide we’ve mentioned on our list is unsafe for areas where food is grown, or animals graze, so you’ll want to go with a post-emergent option for those areas. You will find that many pre-emergent herbicides wreak havoc on certain turf grasses as well, so make sure you understand what type of grass you have before selecting a product. 

Final Selection Round-Up

With everything we’ve shared here regarding the best pre-emergent herbicides, we wanted to narrow down our top overall pick, a premium product, and the best value for you to simplify things. 

Best Overall

BARRICADE Pre Emergence is our favorite overall pre-emergent herbicide because of its versatility and long-lasting power. It works well in a variety of areas, gives you value for your dollar, and stands up to a wide variety of weeds. 

Premium Product

Quali-Pro Prodiamine 65 is our choice for the premium product because it works well in a variety of situations and regardless of whether you apply in spring or fall. It isn’t the cheapest product we’ve reviewed by any means, but it gets excellent reviews and is very versatile. 

Best Value

Pendulum 3.3 EC Herbicide is the best value on our list. It is not only inexpensive; it works on your established lawn, which is more than we can say for most of the other products we’ve reviewed.