5/11/2026 - By Harrell's

If you’ve ever had to revisit a property because a herbicide didn’t control everything you expected, you already know that the product you choose matters.

Not just for weed control, but for:

Reducing callbacks

Protecting turf under stress

Keeping your route efficient and profitable

With options like Allstar, Celsius®, Escalade 2, Q4 Plus, SpeedZone® EW, Tribute® Total, and Harrell’s ProtectMAX® Southside, the challenge isn’t finding a solution; it’s choosing the right one for the situation in front of you.

This guide breaks down how these leading herbicides actually perform in the field, so you can make better decisions across your program.

The Herbicide for When Speed Matters Most

There are times when control isn’t just about efficacy, it’s about how fast the customer sees results.

This is where SpeedZone® EW (PBI-Gordon) stands out.

SpeedZone® EW

It’s built for rapid visual response, often showing activity within hours. That makes it a strong fit for:

High-visibility properties

Post-complaint applications

Situations where perception = satisfaction

But speed comes with a tradeoff. SpeedZone® focuses on broadleaf weeds only, so it’s often part of a broader program rather than a standalone solution.

Where it fits: Fast knockdown, customer-facing results.

The Herbicide for When You’re Fighting Everything at Once

Mixed weed populations, crabgrass, sedges, and broadleaf weeds all in the same lawn are where product selection really starts to matter.

This is where combination herbicides earn their keep.

Q4 Plus

Q4 Plus (PBI-Gordon) is a long-time industry staple for summer applications. Q4 handles:

Grassy weeds like crabgrass

Sedges

Broadleaf weeds

It’s a go-to for operators dealing with heavy summer pressure.

Allstar

Allstar (Nufarm) takes a similar approach but is formulated with triclopyr for control of the most hard-to- control broadleaf weeds.

For many operators, a four-active ingredient formulation means:

Fewer products on the truck

Less room for mixing errors

More consistent applications

Tribute® Total

Tribute® Total (Envu). At the premium end, Tribute® Total is designed to be a true all-in-one solution.

It offers:

Broad-spectrum control (grassy, sedge, broadleaf)

Program simplification

Strong performance on tougher weeds

For many companies, fewer callbacks and reapplications make this premium solution well worth it.

Harrell's ProtectMAX® Southside

Harrell’s ProtectMAX® Southside was built with a similar goal in mind: broad-spectrum control without unnecessary complexity, specifically for warm-season turf.

It brings together:

Control of over 100 weeds

Effectiveness on sedges and grassy weeds

Safety on the four major warm-season turfgrasses: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustinegrass, Centipedegrass

A more balanced cost-to-performance ratio

Where it fits:

Operators looking for a complete solution that balances performance, simplicity, and value.

The Herbicide for When Turf Safety Is the Priority

In warm-season markets, especially in the summer, the wrong product can create as many problems as it solves.

That’s where turf safety becomes the deciding factor.

Celsius®

Celsius® (Envu) has built its reputation on one thing: reliability under stress.

It’s widely used on:

St. Augustinegrass

Bermudagrass

Zoysiagrass

Centipedegrass

And it holds up well in high-temperature conditions where other products may cause injury.

The tradeoff? It doesn’t provide the same level of grassy weed control as other combination products, so it’s often paired within a program.

Harrell's ProtectMAX® Southside

Harrell’s ProtectMAX® Southside also fits strongly into warm-season programs, offering:

Turf safety across key southern grasses

Broader control than traditional “safe” options

This gives operators a way to maintain safety without sacrificing spectrum.

The Herbicide for When You Just Need Broadleaf Control (Efficiently)

Not every application requires a full-spectrum solution.

For straightforward broadleaf control, simpler products often make the most sense.

Escalade 2

Escalade 2 (Nufarm) is a proven 3-way herbicide. Escalade 2 is:

Cost-effective

Reliable

Ideal for spring and fall broadleaf cleanup

SpeedZone EW

SpeedZone EW (PBI-Gordon) (again) also fits here when speed is the priority.

Where these fit:

Dialing in margins and efficiency on routine broadleaf applications.

Quick Comparison Table

How Top Lawn Care Operators Actually Use These Herbicides

The most effective programs don’t rely on a single herbicide—they’re built around timing, conditions, and customer expectations.

A typical structure might look like:

Spring: Escalade 2 for broadleaf cleanup

Early Summer: Q4 or Allstar for mixed weeds

Peak Heat: Celsius (or Southside) for turf safety

Premium / Simplified Routes: Tribute® Total or Southside

Touch-ups: SpeedZone for fast visual results

Frequently Asked Questions About Professional Use Herbicides

Q. What is the best herbicide for warm-season lawns?

A. Celsius, Tribute® Total, and ProtectMAX® Southside are all strong options depending on whether you prioritize safety, spectrum, or balance.

Q. Which herbicide controls crabgrass and broadleaf weeds together?

A. Q4 Plus, Allstar, and Tribute® Total are designed for combined grassy and broadleaf control.

Q. What herbicide works the fastest?

A. SpeedZone EW delivers the fastest visible results, often within hours.

Final Herbicide Thought: It’s Not Just the Product, It’s the Program

There’s no single “best” herbicide—only the right one for the moment.

The operators who consistently win in this industry are the ones who:

Match products to conditions

Balance speed, safety, and spectrum

Build programs that reduce rework

Products like Allstar, Celsius, Q4, Tribute® Total, and ProtectMAX® Southside are all effective tools, but the real advantage comes from how you use them together.

Reach out to your Harrell’s Rep for a program tailored to your challenges.