Pre-emergent herbicides create a protective barrier in your soil to stop weed seeds from germinating. They don’t kill existing weeds, but they’re powerful tools in preventing future outbreaks if used at the right timing.

Key Weeds Targeted:

• Wintergrass (Poa annua)

• Crowsfoot (crabgrass)

• Summer grass

Common Pre-Emergents:

• Spartan Pre-Emergent

• Barricade (Prodiamine)

Grubs, like African black beetle larvae, chew through grassroots, causing your lawn to wilt, yellow, and die off in patches. Grub control products like Acelepryn work best when applied at the right timing, targeting the insects before they mature and do real damage.

Signs of Grub Infestation:

• Birds digging in your lawn

• Soft, spongy turf

• Brown patches despite watering

1. Late Summer to Early Autumn (Feb–March)

• This is the ideal timing to prevent winter weeds like wintergrass.

• Apply when soil temps begin to fall below 18°C.

• Use Spartan for up to 6 months of protection.

2. Late Winter to Early Spring (Aug–Sept)

• Apply again to stop summer grass, crowsfoot, and crabgrass from germinating.

• Watch soil temps and local weather patterns, timing is everything here.

1. Early Spring (Sept–Oct)

• This is the most effective timing to apply Acelepryn.

• Target grubs before they hatch or while they’re still young.

2. Late Summer (Feb)

• In high-pressure areas, a second application might be needed.

• Monitor grub activity and apply if you see birds digging or patchiness returning.

Pre-emergent

For pre-emergent herbicides, timing is absolutely critical because they need to be applied before weed seeds start germinating. These herbicides act as a barrier in the soil to prevent seeds from developing into full plants. If you apply them too late, even by just a couple of weeks, those seeds may already have sprouted, rendering the treatment ineffective.

Different weeds germinate at different times of the year based on soil temperature. For instance, wintergrass (Poa annua) typically begins to germinate in late summer or early autumn when soil temperatures drop below 18°C. On the other hand, summer annual weeds like crowsfoot or crabgrass start to germinate in early spring as temperatures rise above 13°C. Applying your pre-emergent outside of these timing windows, either too early or too late, greatly reduces its effectiveness.

Additionally, pre-emergents break down over time due to microbial activity, sunlight, and rainfall. If you apply them too early, the protective barrier may no longer be active when seeds start to germinate. That’s why it's essential to track local soil temperatures or use a lawn calendar specific to your region to ensure the correct timing.

When timed correctly, pre-emergents save you time, money, and effort by preventing weeds from ever appearing. They create a clean slate, allowing your lawn to thrive without competition from invasive species. This not only keeps your lawn looking better but also strengthens its ability to resist future weed invasions.

In summary, understanding and applying pre-emergents at the right timing based on local soil temperatures is key to effective weed prevention and maintaining a healthy lawn.

Grub Control

For grub control, timing is especially important because most products—like Acelepryn—are designed to target young larvae before they burrow deep into the soil. Grubs have a predictable seasonal life cycle: adult beetles lay eggs in the lawn during late spring to early summer, and these eggs hatch into small larvae that feed aggressively on grassroots.

This early larval stage is when grubs are most vulnerable to treatment. If you apply grub control too late, when larvae are larger or have moved deeper into the soil, it becomes much harder for products to reach them effectively. Not only does this reduce the control rate, but it also allows more root damage to occur, which can lead to large, dead patches across your lawn.

On the other hand, applying too early, before the eggs hatch, can result in the product losing potency by the time the larvae appear. That’s why proper timing is essential. Acelepryn, for example, offers season-long control but still relies on being applied before grub activity begins. The sweet spot for grub control in most parts of Australia is early spring when soil temperatures begin to rise and grubs begin to hatch.

Using the right product at the wrong time is one of the most common mistakes in lawn care. But if you understand the grub life cycle and apply your treatments strategically, you’ll stay ahead of the problem and protect your lawn before it ever shows signs of damage. Acelepryn is designed to target young larvae before they burrow deep into the soil. Once grubs mature or move beyond the reach of surface treatments, they become much harder to control. Applying at the right timing ensures the active ingredients affect the grubs at their most vulnerable stage, which prevents lawn damage before it begins.

February–March:

• Apply pre-emergent for wintergrass

• Watch for summer grub activity

April–May:

• Fertilise with Proliferate for root strength

June–August:

• Monitor lawn health during dormancy

September–October:

• Apply Acelepryn GR for grub control

• Pre-emergent for summer weeds

November–December:

• Maintain with liquid fertilisers like Pure Balance

Timing is everything when it comes to protecting your lawn from weeds and grubs. By applying pre-emergents before weeds germinate and using grub control when larvae are most vulnerable, you’ll set your lawn up for success. Stick to a seasonal calendar, monitor conditions, and choose the right products like Spartan and Acelepryn to stay one step ahead.

With a proactive plan and well-timed treatments, your lawn can stay lush, green, and healthy all year long.