Herbicides for Lawns

As a preventive measure against weed growth, it's recommended to perform simple actions. It has been observed that regular mowing slows down weed growth, and annual pests may even disappear permanently. Lawns should be watered and fertilized on time — these fertilizers not only protect against various diseases but also help grass naturally resist weeds.

If weeds have already taken over the lawn, a relentless battle must begin. In addition to mechanical removal, various herbicides can be used.

What Are Herbicides?

Herbicides are chemical substances designed to destroy weeds. Gardeners divide these substances into non-selective (broad-spectrum) herbicides (used relatively rarely) and selective herbicides, which target specific plant species.

Don’t rush to fight weeds with chemicals. Keep in mind that chemical substances should only be applied after the lawn has strengthened (about one year after seeding), as young lawns do not tolerate herbicide treatment.

A lawn treated with chemicals requires careful maintenance. After using non-selective herbicides, mowing should be avoided for 3–4 days. When using selective herbicides, take precautions: apply carefully to avoid contact with nearby plants.

In general, when choosing selective herbicides, consider the grass varieties on your lawn: a poor choice of chemicals may destroy cultivated grasses. Therefore, inexperienced gardeners must pay special attention to selecting chemical agents for weed control.

Popular Herbicides for Lawns

There are many different chemical substances on the market, and describing all of them is impossible. As examples, we’ll cover the most popular herbicides.

• Tornado — a non-selective herbicide, one of the most popular products. Tornado’s mechanism is simple: the active ingredient penetrates the plant through stems and leaves within 3 hours, moving to the root system and destroying the weed. Signs of damage appear within a week, and complete death occurs in 2–3 weeks (depending on weather). The active ingredient in Tornado breaks down in soil over about a month, but does not leave harmful residues for new plantings. Tornado is considered low-toxic (classified as Class 3 hazard), completely harmless to people, animals, and the environment. However, basic safety precautions are required: wear gloves and avoid contact with mucous membranes. Application should be done in the morning or evening, in dry, windless weather. Tornado is a universal solution, effective against approximately 150 weed species.
• Agrokiller (standard dosage 90 ml) — a relatively new, concentrated non-selective herbicide with a higher content of active toxic ingredient. Agrokiller is highly effective against difficult-to-eradicate weeds, including giant hogweed. It works across a wide temperature range, leading to complete plant death. Its toxic properties are neutralized in soil, so after removing dead plants, the ground is ready for reseeding. Application rate is 3 liters per 100 square meters. Treat weeds about 15 days before lawn reseeding.
• Lontrel 300 — another effective herbicide targeting particularly problematic lawn weeds, destroying both seedlings and mature plants. Lontrel 300 is a water-based solution containing the active ingredient clopyralid. It acts both contact and systemic on weeds. Biologically, it works by penetrating through leaves into the plant, disrupting photosynthesis and blocking access to nutrients and carbon dioxide at the roots. Key features of Lontrel 300 include non-phytotoxicity, no resistance development, and excellent compatibility with pesticides. Once in soil, it also prevents new weed seedlings from emerging. Lontrel 300 can be used at any stage of lawn cultivation, regardless of weather conditions.
• Lazurit — a selective herbicide used against many species of annual broadleaf or grassy weeds. Lazurit enters the plant through both leaves and roots, delivering prolonged herbicidal action. A key advantage is the ability to apply it in divided doses, allowing efficient use of the expensive substance. Lazurit is supplied as a wettable powder containing 700 grams of metribuzin. Weed destruction takes 10–20 days on average. The lawn remains protected from new weed growth for one to two months (depending on weather).