You’ve spent time mowing, watering, fertilising, even reseeding, but every few months those pesky weeds pop up again. Crab grass, summer grass, winter grass: they’re face‑offs you never win, and they sap nutrients, water, and your peace of mind. What if you could block weeds before they ever emerge so your lawn spends less time under siege and more time looking lush and green?
SPARTAN Pre-Emergent Herbicide, with prodiamine 480 g/L as its active ingredient, forms a barrier in the soil to prevent weed seeds from germinating. Less work for you, fewer weeds, and a lawn that looks professional rather than fight‑after‑fight haggard.
In this article, we’ll explore:
How SPARTAN Works: The Science Behind Pre‑Emergent Control
Key Features & Benefits
What Weeds It Stops & When to Apply
How to Use It Properly (Rates, Timing, Application Tips)
Turf Types & Where SPARTAN Is Safe to Use
Safety, Risks & Environmental Considerations
Cost vs Long‑Term Savings
Why Choose Garden Nursery Products on the Gold Coast
Spartan Herbicide uses Prodiamine 480 g/L, which belongs to the dinitroaniline family of herbicides. It forms a chemical barrier in the top layer of soil where weed seeds germinate. The roots of weed seedlings can’t establish properly. Because the active zone is in the soil surface, small‑seeded weeds are affected early, before they emerge. Warm‑season grasses with deep or fibrous roots are less impacted if you apply correctly.
Long‑Lasting Protection: Provides season‑long control of many annual grasses.
Reduces Reliance on Post‑Emergent Herbicides: Because weed seeds are prevented from sprouting, there’s less need for costly follow‑up spraying.
Low Odour & Unscheduled: Easier to work with, less impact from fumes.
Broad Spectrum: Controls multiple weeds like summer grass, winter grass, crab grass, crowsfoot grass, African lovegrass, etc.
Weeds Controlled
Summer Grass, Crab Grass, Parramatta Grass, Crowsfoot Grass, African Lovegrass, Winter Grass etc.
When to Apply
Before seed germination. That typically means early spring or just before rainfall that triggers weed seed activity.
Application timing may vary depending on your local climate: warmer regions might act earlier; cooler ones later.
Rate: Usually between 10‑40 mL per 100 m², depending on weed pressure and desired duration.
Watering In: Must be activated by rainfall or irrigation — about 6 mm within about 7 days after application is recommended.
Even Coverage: Use a well‑calibrated sprayer; ensure even soil coverage, and avoid drift.
Avoid Use in New Turf: Only safe on established turf, not newly sown or freshly laid lawn.
SPARTAN is listed as safe for use on several warm‑season established turf varieties, including:
Buffalo Grass
Common & Hybrid Couch
Kikuyu
Zoysia
Queensland Blue Couch
Seashore Paspalum
Carpet Grass
Bahia Grass
Always check the label for your specific turf type to avoid potential damage.
It is non‑scheduled (unscheduled), meaning fewer legal restrictions, but it is still a chemical control: follow label instructions strictly.
Protect yourself: gloves, protective clothing, and avoid drift onto non‑target plants.
Be cautious near waterways; avoid runoff.
Store as per label requirements; keep out of direct sun, secure from children/pets.
Although SPARTAN has an upfront cost, its long residual effect reduces the number of herbicide applications needed.
Saves time, labour, and damage (or patching) that weeds cause.
When budgeted over a full season, results in lower cost per square metre compared to repeated post‑emergent sprays.
Over 45 years, Garden Nursery Products is a family‑owned business supplying quality horticultural products across the Gold Coast. A broad selection of lawn and turf care, fertilisers, pest control, etc., so you get solutions for entire garden health, not just weed control. If you’re on the Gold Coast, visit our store for your gardening needs or shop online.
