Let me introduce you to Bonide DuraTurf Crabgrass & Weed Preventer for Lawns & Ornamental Beds. I talked about it a couple of times on last weekend’s GardenLine show, and I thought I’d show you exactly what it looks like.
My lawn fertilization schedule has always called for a 2-in-1 pre-emergent herbicide three times a year, recommending those containing Dimension®, Barricade® or pendimethlin.
Pendimethlin-based products (sometimes marketed as Pendulum®), are nearly impossible to find outside big-box stores. And unless you know how to read the active ingredient label, you might not get a pre-emergent version - I believe it’s frequently labeled incorrectly. Often, the bags only mention controlling crabgrass and grassy weeds. Rarely do they say, in big letters, Pendulum or pendimethlin. Nor are they described as “broadleaf” weed preventers.
Barricade-based products have dominated the scene for over 20 years, because they are the most readily available. Their active ingredient is prodiomine.
Dimension-based products (dithiopry is their active ingredient) were available 20 years ago, but the company behind the most readily available brand has seemingly given up on effectively marketing it. They no longer let gardening blabbermouths like me know anything about their products or where to find them.
So, kudos to Bonide for bringing Dimension products back, and in a big way. Now, you finally have options when it comes to pre-emergent herbicides.
Yes, the active ingredient in Bonide DuraTurf Crabgrass & Weed Preventer for Lawns & Ornamental Beds is Dimension. It says so right there on the front of the bag. I’ll be mentioning it just as much as Barricade-based products from now on, because I think it’s important that you have options. If you’ve been using Barricade-based preventatives, and are happy with the results, by all means dance with the one whut brung ya. I don’t expect you to make a change just because of this article. But Dimension is now a real alternative.
If your favorite retailer carries Bonide products, they can stock this wonderful addition to our weed-prevention arsenal. If they don’t have it today, ask them to start carrying it. It’s an option on The Schedule, and always has been.