The label is the law. Rates and restrictions below are taken from the product labels listed under Sources. Your product's own label governs; read it before you mix or apply. Mixing calculator · Disclaimer
- Active ingredient
- Glufosinate-ammonium (CAS 77182-82-2)
- Chemical class
- Phosphinic acid herbicide; WSSA Group 10 glutamine synthetase inhibitor.[2][1]
- Mode of action
- WSSA Group 10: Glutamine synthetase inhibitors (phosphinic acids)[2][1]
- Signal word
- Finale Herbicide: Warning[1]
Killing an old lawn before replanting
For lawn renovation, spray in spring or fall when daytime highs reach at least 60°F. If the lawn is dry, water it every other day for a week first, and skip mowing for 7 days before and after.[1]
For thick, well-established turf, the label suggests pairing Finale with a grass herbicide such as glyphosate, clethodim or fluazifop for more thorough kill.[1]
What it controls
The label lists dozens of weeds, including bindweed, dandelion, white clover, Canada thistle, crabgrass, nutsedge and quackgrass. Brush it suppresses or controls includes blackberry, honeysuckle, poison ivy and poison oak.[1]
Regrowth can happen if weeds are too large, the rate is below label, or conditions are poor. Use the higher rate for dense cover, stressed weeds or cool weather.[1]
Where it is used
It works best in warm temperatures, high humidity and bright sunlight. Results drop with heavy dew, fog or rain, and on weeds stressed by drought, cloudy spells or temperatures below 50°F.[1]
Finale becomes rainfast between 30 minutes and 4 hours after spraying, depending on the weed, the rate and the weather. Symptoms usually show within 2 to 4 days on actively growing plants.[1]
Shield nearby plants with cardboard, plywood or sheet metal when edging. Never let spray or drift touch the leaves or green, thin or uncalloused bark of plants you want to keep, or severe injury will occur.[1]
You can transplant into treated ground once the spray has dried, but wait 7 days before seeding turfgrass. Never apply it through an irrigation system.[1]
Products and registrations
| Product | Registrant | EPA Reg. No. | Active % | Formulation | Signal word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finale Herbicide[1] | BASF Corporation | 7969-444 | 11.33% | soluble concentrate | Warning |
Label rates
| Product | Use | Pests | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finale Herbicide | Golf courses, commercial and residential landscaping, ornamentals, tree plantations and noncropland | Emerged annual and perennial broadleaf weeds, grasses, sedges and brush | 2–6 qt product per acre[1] Use 2 to 3 qt for weeds under 3 inches, 3 to 4 qt under 6 inches, and 6 qt for weeds over 8 inches. Up to 3 applications a year at the top rate, at least 5 days apart, and no more than 18 qt per acre per year. |
| Finale Herbicide | Spot treatment of weeds in landscape beds, along fences, driveways, sidewalks and paths | Emerged broadleaf weeds, grasses and brush | 1.5–4 fl oz product per gallon of spray solution[1] That is a 1% to 3% solution, chosen by weed size; spray to wet without going past runoff. A 6% solution, 8 fl oz per gallon, is allowed only for individual plant treatments. |
| Finale Herbicide | Lawn or turf renovation, including residential lawns | Unwanted turfgrass plus existing broadleaf and grass weeds | 4 qt product per acre[1] As a spot spray, use 1.47 fl oz per gallon of water for each 500 sq ft. Repeat no sooner than 45 days, up to 4 times a year, with no more than 16 qt per acre per year. |
| Finale Herbicide | Selective weed control in turfgrass species and cultivars that are not susceptible | Annual and perennial weeds infesting the turf | 2–4 qt product per acre[1] Spot rate is 1.47 fl oz per gallon for each 500 sq ft. Reapply no sooner than 45 days if weeds regrow, up to 6 times a year and 18 qt per acre per year. |
Safety and environmental hazards
People
Signal word WARNING: causes substantial but temporary eye injury and is harmful if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through skin. Applicators wear coveralls over long sleeves and pants, chemical-resistant gloves, shoes with socks, and protective eyewear.[1]
Pets
The label's hazard statement covers domestic animals as well as people. Keep everyone out of treated areas without protective clothing until sprays dry, and grazing on treated vegetation is banned for one year.[1]
Bees and pollinators
The label's pollinator advisory asks users to keep spray off nontarget plants next to the treated site, since those plants may be habitat or forage for pollinators.[1]
Fish and water
Don't apply directly to water or where surface water is present. Glufosinate and its breakdown products may leach into groundwater in permeable soils, especially where the water table is shallow.[1]
Resistance
As a Group 10 herbicide, Finale shouldn't be used back to back on the same weeds over time. The label suggests rotating or tank mixing with herbicides from other groups and pulling escapes before they set seed.[1][2]
Common questions
- Will glufosinate kill my grass?
- It kills most green plants it touches, including turfgrass, except for turf species that are not susceptible. On dormant bermudagrass it may be sprayed only when the grass is fully dormant, before spring greenup.[1]
- How soon can I reseed after spraying glufosinate?
- The Finale label says to delay seeding turfgrass for 7 days after treatment. Transplants can go in once the spray has dried.[1]
- How long does glufosinate need before rain?
- Between 30 minutes and 4 hours, depending on weed species, rate and weather, according to the label.[1]
Sources
- U.S. EPA Pesticide Product Label System, “Finale Herbicide label, EPA Reg. No. 7969-444 (EPA-stamped, Mar. 17, 2021).” www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/007969-00444-20210317.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)
- Weed Science Society of America, “Summary of Herbicide Mechanism of Action According to the Weed Science Society of America.” wssa.net/wp-content/uploads/WSSA-Mechanism-of-Action.pdf (accessed 2026-10-06)