Choosing the Right Herbicides for Combating Weeds

Weeds are more than just an eyesore they compete with plants for nutrients, water and sunlight, often threatening the health and productivity of landscapes, lawns, and agricultural sites. Selecting the right herbicide is key to managing these unwanted invaders efficiently, safely and sustainably.

At StrataGreen, we offer a professional range of herbicides trusted by landscapers, councils, and contractors across Australia. This guide explains how to choose the right herbicide for your needs and highlights four of our top products designed for effective weed control in Australian conditions.

Understanding Herbicides

Before choosing a product, it’s important to understand how herbicides work and the key categories available:

1. Selective vs Non-Selective Herbicides

• Selective herbicides target specific weed species without harming surrounding plants. They’re ideal for lawns and gardens where you want to preserve grass or ornamental vegetation.

• Non-selective herbicides control all plant growth they contact, making them perfect for clearing paths, driveways, fence lines or industrial areas.

2. Contact vs Systemic Herbicides

• Contact herbicides destroy only the parts of the weed they touch and are particularly effective for small annual weeds.

• Systemic herbicides are absorbed into the plant’s system, killing roots and shoots for long-term control, best for perennial weeds.

3. Pre-Emergent vs Post-Emergent Herbicides

• Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weed seeds from germinating, ideal for maintenance programs.

• Post-emergent herbicides target weeds that are already growing.
  

By understanding these categories, you can better match a herbicide to your application, whether it’s early prevention or post-growth elimination.

Key Considerations When Selecting a Herbicide

When choosing herbicides, consider the following factors to ensure effective and safe application:

• Weed Type: Identify whether you’re targeting broadleaf, grassy or woody weeds.

• Application Area: Lawns, garden beds, paths, or agricultural zones all require different formulations.

• Persistence: Decide whether you need short-term control or long-residual protection.

• Safety: Check product labels for directions, dilution rates and environmental care.

• Weather Conditions: Rain, wind and temperature can affect herbicide performance.

StrataGreen’s Top Herbicides

At StrataGreen, our herbicide range includes solutions trusted for professional and large-scale weed management. Here are four of our leading products - effective, reliable and built for Australian conditions.

1. Apparent Salvo Herbicide

Type: Selective, systemic post-emergent herbicide
Best for: Controlling a broad range of grass weeds in broadleaf crops, orchards, vineyards, forestry, industrial areas and other non-crop situations. 

 Key Features:

• Contains 212 g/L Fluazifop-P (butyl ester) the same active as a well-known market alternative.

• Targets both annual and perennial grasses such as couch, kikuyu, summer grass, ryegrass and barnyard grass.

• Safe for use in broadleaf crops and amenity situations where preservation of non-grass plants is essential.

Why Choose It: This product is ideal for professionals maintaining ornamental gardens, turf areas or non-crop zones where grass weeds are the main concern. Its systemic mode of action helps deliver thorough control with long-term benefit.

2. Gryphon Glyphosate Herbicide

Type: Non-selective, systemic herbicide
Best for: Broad-spectrum control of annual and perennial broadleaf and grassy weeds, including pre-harvest, burndown and stock grazing situations.

Key Features:

• Formulated with a high concentration of glyphosate for reliable performance.

• Suitable for clearing fence-lines, paths, forestry and industrial areas.

• Registered for use in Australia and designed for tough agronomic conditions.

Why Choose It: The Gryphon Glyphosate is the go-to option for complete vegetation management where re-growth needs to be prevented. It’s robust and designed to handle professional requirements across large or complex sites.

3. Apparent Alternative Herbicide

Type: Non-selective (post-emergent) herbicide
Best for: Fast knockdown of seedling and young broadleaf and grass weeds, suppression of established/perennial weeds, moss and algae in amenity, industrial and agricultural zones.

Key Features:

• Provides broad non-selective control of weeds and grasses.

• Suitable for situations where speed and broad impact are required, rather than strict selectivity.

Note: While earlier draft mentioned “plant-derived fatty acids, no synthetic chemicals”, the product page does not explicitly confirm that formulation. I recommend verifying any such claims before publishing.

Why Choose It: This herbicide is ideal when you need visible, fast results and broad coverage particularly for areas where selective protection of desired plants is less critical.

4. Spartan Pre-Emergent Herbicide

Type: Selective, pre-emergent herbicide

Best for: Preventing annual weeds before they germinate in turf and garden beds.

Key Features:

• Creates a protective barrier that stops weed seedlings from emerging.

• Controls a wide range of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds.

• Long residual action ensures season-long protection.

• Suitable for lawns, sports fields and landscaped areas.

Why Choose It: Spartan is ideal for professionals who want to reduce labour and chemical use by stopping weeds before they start. It’s especially valuable for large areas where consistent maintenance is key.

Comparison Table - StrataGreen’s Leading Herbicides

Application Tips for Best Results

To maximise herbicide effectiveness while minimising impact on desirable plants and the environment, follow these best-practice tips:

1. Identify Weeds Correctly

Different weeds require different herbicide types. Use online resources or local extension services to identify species accurately before spraying.

2. Apply Under the Right Conditions

Avoid windy or rainy conditions, as drift or dilution can reduce herbicide performance. Apply early in the morning or late afternoon when temperatures are moderate.

3. Calibrate Equipment

Ensure sprayers, wands or applicators deliver even coverage. Over-application wastes product and can harm surrounding vegetation.

4. Respect Withholding Periods

Always read the product label to understand safe re-entry or replanting times after application.

5. Combine Prevention and Control

Use a combination of pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides as part of an integrated weed management program for lasting results.

Why Choose StrataGreen

StrataGreen has been supporting Australia’s professional landscapers, groundskeepers and contractors for decades with quality tools, materials and horticultural supplies. Our herbicide range is carefully selected for performance, safety and environmental compliance - ensuring every product meets the needs of real-world users.

When you buy through StrataGreen, you benefit from:

• Trusted brands and proven formulations suited to Australian conditions.

• Trade pricing and support for commercial clients.

• Expert guidance from an experienced team who understand professional landscaping.

• Convenient nationwide shipping to get your supplies where they’re needed.

Smarter Weed Management Starts with the Right Choice

Choosing the right herbicide is about more than just killing weeds, it’s about maintaining healthy landscapes, protecting your investment, and working efficiently. Whether you need selective control for turf, complete vegetation management, or an environmentally friendly knockdown, StrataGreen offers the right solution for your site.

Explore our full range of herbicides today and talk to our team for expert advice on product selection, mixing rates and safe application. With the right herbicide strategy, you’ll not only eliminate weeds but also create cleaner, more sustainable spaces that thrive season after season.