Prodiamine is the active ingredient in commercial pre-emergent products of the same name. And Tenacity is a pre-emergent herbicide that you can also use as a post-emergent. You do not need to do controlled trials comparing Prodiamine VS Tenacity to find which one is best for your needs. But you might have to consider a few details.
Is it better to use Prodiamine or Tenacity? You might find Tenacity more helpful when overseeding and using Prodiamine better for regular lawn care. But the choice depends on timing and the size of your lawn. Both pre-emergent herbicides do an excellent job at stopping weeds from infesting your yards. And the application is the most crucial step.
The Main Difference Between Tenacity And Prodiamine
Before discussing “Prodiamine VS Tenacity,” you should notice that a super-dense and thick lawn does not need any pre-emergent. The absence of patches or damaged spots signals that your yard can fight weeds itself.
The first thing you need to weigh before choosing the most suitable pre-emergent is why you need one. So, let us see how these two products help you achieve different goals.
Tenacity lets you kill any weeds in a matter of days. The best time to use Tenacity is early spring. For clarity, this product helps you catch all the weeds while they emerge. Its bleaching action will turn your grass white, and it will take a couple of mows to remove the bleaching.
Prodiamine is a simple pre-emergent for unwanted grasses and broadleaf weeds. Unlike Tenacity, it will not kill established weeds. But on the plus side, you can use it virtually anytime—even after mowing the lawn., which is a big no-no when using the other option. The important part is that you water the turf afterward. The compound will enter the soil, and the active ingredient, Prodiamine, will prevent the emerging weed roots from growing for the next six months.
Tenacity gives you a quick-fix solution to take short-term action. Instead, Prodiamine offers long-term strategic quality planning, which is better for large lawns or gardens.
The Comparison Of Prodiamine VS Tenacity
Prodiamine kills annual weeds like Crabgrass before they emerge, right after the seeds germinate. To be effective, this compound must be in the ground where the weed seedlings take root. And while it might not kill the annual grasses on your lawn, it will break the cycle the following year if you apply it at the right time.
If you douce an area with too much Tenacity, you can ruin your turf. Why? Because Tenacity is a systemic herbicide. In brief, it works by reaching the plants’ roots in the soil to kill the weeds that react to its formula. Tenacity will not kill your turf when applied following the instructions because this product is also selective, which means that it leaves every cool- and warm-season grass type be.
When dealing with these two products, you also be wary of the watering schedule because Tenacity needs at least one hour to become rainfast. But as its label suggests, it would be better if no rainfall or water drops on the treated areas for at least 48 hours. On the other hand, you have to water the lawn after applying Prodiamine, even though excessive water can wash away the pre-emergent before it gets into the soil.
If you dilute Tenacity to use it as a pre-emergent and compare it to Prodiamine, the only difference you will see is Tenacity’s bleaching effect. Both product work well.
People living in the transition zone may find Prodiamine better because of the more frequent rains. Instead, people living in the warmest USDA zones usually appreciate Tenacity more. Mainly because they do not have to water it down.
Can I Use Prodiamine And Tenacity At The Same Time?
The short answer is yes, you can. When in doubt, most people prefer to use both available options. And as long as you test the mixture on a small portion of your turf before treating the rest, you should be fine.
The official Tenacity label only specifies that mixing the product with Barricade 65WG Herbicide, which contains Prodiamine, is ok. So, if you want to use another Prodiamine-based product, you had better read its label to read if it is compatible with Tenacity.