Weed Control
Spring Weed Control Guide
When and how to stop spring weeds before they take over: pre-emergent timing, post-emergent options and a step-by-step plan.
Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Barricade (generic) Prodiamine 65 WDG Review
★★★★★ 4.7/5 editor rating
The longest-lasting residential pre-emergent. One properly timed application protects most lawns through the entire spring germination window.
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Our Verdict
The best value in weed control, period: pennies per thousand square feet and up to 6 months of crabgrass prevention. Requires a sprayer and 10 minutes of math — worth both.
✅ Pros
- Longest residual of any homeowner pre-emergent (4–6 months at split rates)
- Extremely low cost per 1,000 sq ft
- Safe on all established common US turf types
- Split spring/fall applications cover the whole year
⚠️ Cons
- Needs a pump sprayer and careful rate math
- Zero effect on weeds already emerged
- Blocks grass seed too — no overseeding for 3–4 months after application
| Product type | Pre-Emergent Herbicide |
| Active ingredient | Prodiamine 65% (water-dispersible granule) |
| Price range | $24–$60 |
| Coverage | Up to 1 acre per 5 lb container (rate-dependent) |
| Best for | Season-long crabgrass and annual weed prevention |
Where This Product Matters
Matched against each state's actual disease, weed and pest pressure.
Florida
Florida hub →Crabgrass
Application window: Mid-February to early March, when soil temps hit 65°F for 24–36 hours
Texas
Texas hub →CrabgrassHenbitSpurge
Application window: Late February (South TX) to mid-March (North TX), soil temps 55°F for crabgrass
North Carolina
North Carolina hub →CrabgrassAnnual bluegrass (Poa annua)Henbit
Application window: Early to mid-March in the Piedmont, when soil temps approach 55°F — earlier along the coast
Georgia
Georgia hub →CrabgrassAnnual bluegrass (Poa annua)
Application window: Late February to mid-March in Atlanta (soil 55°F), with a second application in May for season-long control
Ohio
Ohio hub →Crabgrass
Application window: Mid-April to early May, when soil hits 55°F — forsythia bloom is the classic Ohio signal
California
California hub →Spotted spurgeCrabgrassAnnual bluegrass (Poa annua)
Application window: Late January–February (SoCal) to early March (NorCal) — before the last winter rains water it in for free
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania hub →Crabgrass
Application window: Mid-April in the southeast to early May in the mountains (soil 55°F)
Illinois
Illinois hub →CrabgrassAnnual bluegrass (Poa annua)
Application window: Late April in Chicagoland (soil warms late off Lake Michigan); early April in southern Illinois
Tennessee
Tennessee hub →CrabgrassAnnual bluegrass (Poa annua)Henbit
Application window: Early March in Memphis to late March in Knoxville — soil 55°F sweeps west to east
Arizona
Arizona hub →Spotted spurge (the Phoenix #1)CrabgrassAnnual bluegrass (Poa annua) in winter rye
Application window: Mid-February for summer weeds, and again late September for winter weeds germinating in the overseed
Guides That Use This Product
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