--- title: FACT SHEET - BASF Freehand Herbicide canonical: https://fernland.com.au/documents/478/ dateModified: 2026-07-12 07:54:16 summary: Technical Sheet type: tech_sheet --- # FACT SHEET - BASF Freehand Herbicide > Technical Sheet - BASF We create chemistry FACT SHEET Freehand® Herbicide Powerful pre-emergent control for the toughest weeds. [Image: A bag of Freehand Herbicide] Freehand® Herbicide offers the ornamental grower and turf manager a new tool for pre-emergent weed control of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Its two unique active ingredients, pendimethalin and dimethenamid-P, prevent weeds from growing and multiplying by inhibiting cell growth in seedling shoots and impeding plant cell microtubule assembly in roots. This powerful herbicide is labelled for the control and suppression of more than 60 of the toughest, most troublesome weeds; promoting higher quality and more marketable plants, and more attractive turf. | Feature | Benefit | | :--- | :--- | | Broad spectrum weed control | Freehand is a unique combination of two modes of action (Groups D and K) for broader spectrum weed control and resistance management. Freehand is safe on a broad range of ornamental crops and warm season turfs and provides up to three months of control and suppression of over 60 of the most toughest weeds | | Easy to use | Freehand’s granular formulation and excellent particle distribution allows for easy spreading and flexible application rates. Freehand can be applied at 100-200 kg/ha (10-20 g/m²) depending on target weeds | | Excellent Residual control | One application of Freehand provides residual control that stops weeds as they germinate for up to three months, giving season long weed control. Freehand is also very stable on the soil surface and does not need to be watered in immediately. Rainfall or irrigation will move the product to the target site and activate the herbicide maintaining long lasting weed control | How and when to apply Freehand Herbicide Rates Ornamentals 10-20 g/m² or Turf 100-200 kg/ha Method Ornamentals Freehand may be applied individually to each pot, or pots can be grouped together and distributed using a granule applicator or gloved hand. After application, ensure granules are brushed or washed off foliage. Turf Ensure area is clean of debris prior to application. Freehand may be applied and distributed using a granule applicator or gloved hand. Oscillating spout or rotary type fertiliser spreaders are recommended for large areas. Even application is important for good weed control. If using a granule applicator, ensure they are properly calibrated to apply granules evenly. Freehand application should be followed by irrigation or rainfall, before weeds germinate. If Freehand is not activated by rainfall or irrigation within 30 days, erratic weed control may result. *** Freehand® Herbicide | Freehand Quantity | Area | | :--- | :--- | | 10-20 g | 1 m² | | 1-2 kg | 100 m² | | 100-200 kg | 1 ha | | Amount of Freehand Required | | | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Container Size (Diameter in cm) | Round | Square | | 10 | 0.08-0.16 g | 0.1-0.2 g | | 10 | 0.2-0.4 g | 0.25-0.5 g | | 25 | 0.5-1.0 g | 0.62-1.3 g | | 40 | 1.3-2.6 g | 1.62-3.3 g | | 51 | 2.05-4.1g | 2.6-5.2 g | | Situation | Weeds | Rate | Critical Comments | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Container & in-ground Ornamental plants | Freehand Herbicide controls and suppresses a wide range of broadleaf and grassy weeds. Please refer to the product label for full weed species listings and directions for use. | 100 kg/ha or 1 kg/100 square meters or 10 g/square meters | Apply evenly over the area or pots to be treated preferably using a properly calibrated mechanical granule spreader. Apply to the surface of weed free soil preferably after cultivation or just after potting up. Freehand will not control established weeds. Apply to dry foliage only and then sprinkler irrigate or hose (10- 15 mm) to wash granules from foliage and incorporate the herbicide into the soil. Do not apply Freehand to wet foliage – should this happen irrigate or hose immediately to remove granules from the leaf surface. Follow the precautions listed below to avoid unnecessary plant damage and to obtain optimum weed control. One application will last for 2- 3 months depending upon rainfall, irrigation, soil type (potting mix), temperature and weed seed burden. Retreat when the first signs of weed growth are seen but no sooner than 2 months and no later than 3 months after the first application. | | Recreational Turf: Including but not limited to: fairways, golf tees, municipal sports fields, industrial commercial and domestic lawns. Warm Season Turf species only: Hybrid Couch (Cynodon dactylon Cynodon transvaalensis) Common Couch (Cynodon dactylon) QLD Blue Couch (Digitaria didactyla) Carpet Grass (Axonopus compressus) Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) Buffalo (Stenotaphrum secundatum) Zoysia (Zoysia japonica and Zoysia matrella) | | 200 kg/ha or 2.0 kg/100 square meters or 20 g/square meters | **Ornamentals** Do not apply Freehand 2 weeks prior to or 2 weeks after leaf bud break or during periods of flush growth. Newly formed leaves are sensitive to this product. Spotting or leaf drop may result from such applications. Do not apply directly on to bare roots of woody ornamentals as injury may occur. **Turf** Apply prior to germination of weeds (typically from early spring through to late summer early Autumn). Delay overseeding of treated turfgrass for at least 3 months after last application. Application of Freehand to newly sodded areas must be delayed until turfgrass root system has been well established and turfgrass mowed at least 2 times. | Packaging Available in 22.7kg bags For more information on Freehand Herbicide, visit or contact your local BASF representative on ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS BEFORE USING ANY PRODUCT IN THIS FACT SHEET. This fact sheet is intended as general advice. Disclaimer: The information submitted in this publication is based on current BASF knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect its application, this data does not relieve the user from carrying out their own tests. The data does not imply assurance of certain properties or of suitability for a specific purpose. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are observed. © Copyright BASF 2019 ® Registered trademark of BASF. W233056 06.2019