Are granules or spray better for lawns?

Author: Dr. Beth Herzog DDS  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

In the professional market, many lawn care professionals prefer liquid herbicides over granular herbicides for post-emergent control of broadleaf weeds. The reason for this is that liquid post-emergent herbicides usually perform better than their granular counterparts.

Is granular or spray better?

Liquid fertilizer typically shows results sooner than slow-release granular fertilizer due to its increased mobility in the soil. It's the better option if you need to green up your lawn quickly.

Is liquid or granular fertilizer better for lawns?

Key Takeaway – Granular fertilizers are better for sustaining the long-term health of your lawn, but each granule has a unique nutritional makeup, which may result in an uneven lawn.

Is liquid or granular fungicide better for lawns?

Generally speaking, liquid fungicides are much better options for lawn fungus control.

Is spray or granular pre emergent better?

granular fert is better because of all the different slow release techologies. certainly would not be for a large scale fert/spray operation because of timing the application when its wet ... but if it works well when wet, it would save money to apply combo granular on wet days as opposed to fert and spray seperately.

Spray vs. Granular Fertilizer - Which is Better on Lawns

What do landscapers use as pre-emergent?

Common types found in pre-emergents include: Prodiamine – Prevents both grassy weeds and broadleaf weeds.

How long does granular pre-emergent last?

How Long Does Pre-Emergent Weed Control Last? ‍Every product is a bit different. Typically, you can expect one treatment to last 3-5 months. However, Canopy recommends applying a split application approximately one month apart to maximize effectiveness.

What happens if you put too much fungicide on your lawn?

Can You Put Too Much Fungicide on Your Lawn? Yes, you can use too much fungicide on your lawn. Always refer to the product instructions on the amount of fungicide that should be used, as too much can burn your grass or kill good microbes, negatively affecting the soil quality.

How long does granular fungicide take to work?

Headway G Fungicide Granules will start to work immediately (if applied as directed), but you will see the progression of the disease stop in about 7 to 10 days (this can vary).

What do professionals use to fertilize lawns?

(They're also the mainstream type used by professionals.) They consist mostly of urea-based nitrogen sources, including straight urea, sulfur-coated urea and stabilized urea. Other types of nitrogen in this type include ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate.

What are the cons of granular fertilizer?

Cons of Granular Fertilizers
  • They're more likely to burn plants. Granular fertilizers are highly concentrated and can burn plant tissue when improperly applied.
  • They are harder to apply. ...
  • They aren't absorbed as quickly. ...
  • They can attract pests.

Does rain wash away granular fertilizer?

Heavy Rain Immediately After Fertilization: Heavy rain, on the other hand, can wash away the fertilizer, preventing your grass from benefiting from the nutrients. In some cases, the fertilizer may disperse unevenly across your lawn, leading to irregular growth or even scorching.

Does rain wash away insecticide granules?

Liquid forms of pest control can be a micro-encapsulated formula, meaning they will stick to the surface where they are applied. They will not wash off with rain, rather they deteriorate over time. Granular insecticides can actively benefit from rain.

Will granular fertilizer burn grass?

Still, the lawn is not “burned”. What takes place in the presence of excess nitrogen is simply that the salt content in the fertilizer is pulling the water from the grass plants, leaving them to quickly dry out and turn brown, looking “burned”.

When should I spray liquid fertilizer on my lawn?

Apply every 4-6 weeks when grass is actively growing.

Is spray or granular fungicide better?

Conversely, granular fungicides offer a longer-lasting solution, gradually releasing active agents over time. Ideal for preventive measures, granular fungicides are particularly effective during the summer months, safeguarding your lawn against potential outbreaks.

How do I get rid of lawn fungus permanently?

The best way to treat lawn fungus is to use a fungicide to kill the spores. Additionally, it is important to use proper lawn care practices such as proper watering, aerating, and fertilizing to prevent the fungus from returning.

What month should I apply fungicide to my lawn?

For best results, you should apply fungicide as soon as the disease is diagnosed. For a more preventative approach, applying fungicide throughout the summer months (or when nightly temperatures rise above 60 degrees) can play a key role in the ongoing health of your lawn.

How do I know if my lawn needs fungicide?

How to tell if your lawn has fungus?
  1. Dollar spot. Usually presents as silver-dollar sized spots of tan or brown grass throughout the lawn.
  2. Brown patch lawn disease. Circular shaped areas of brown grass surrounded by a ring of “smoky” colored grass. ...
  3. Leaf spot. ...
  4. Mildew. ...
  5. Blight.

How long does it take granular lawn fertilizer to work?

How Long Does it Take Fertilizer to Work? Most fertilizers start showing results within one to five days after it's been fully absorbed by your lawn.

Is it better to spray fungicide in the morning or Evening?

Spray when there is little or no wind. Most often, this occurs in the early morning or near sunset. Spraying at these times may also reduce risk to pollinators.

What month is best for pre-emergent?

For most broadleaf weeds, the best time to apply the product is in early spring, before the weeds grow. For grassy weeds, such as crabgrass, the best time to apply pre-emergent herbicide is in late spring or early summer. This is because these weeds germinate later in the season than other types of weeds.

Is liquid pre-emergent better than granular?

In addition to being less messy, liquid pre-emergents provide better coverage than granular products. Application droplets are smaller than even the smallest granules, so they disperse more evenly over the turf. There's also less room for error when it comes to the physics of applying the product.

Will rain wash away pre-emergent?

Actually, rain makes our lawn treatments work much better. In order for a pre-emergent to effectively keep weeds from growing in your lawn, it must be incorporated into the soil. That is exactly what rain does. It pushes the pre-emergent down into the soil to make it work.

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