Does your beautiful green lawn look like a patchwork quilt thanks to stubborn invaders like dandelions and crabgrass? You spend time and effort making your yard look great, only to have weeds pop up and ruin the view. It’s frustrating when you want a perfect lawn!
Choosing the right weed control product can feel like a jungle of confusing labels and different promises. Should you use a liquid spray or dry granules? Do you need something for pre-emergent or post-emergent control? These decisions are tough, and picking the wrong product wastes time and money.
Don’t worry! This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down the best lawn weed control products available today. You will learn exactly what works for different types of weeds and how to apply treatments safely and effectively. Get ready to take back your yard!
Top Lawn Weed Control Products Recommendations
- Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3 weed killer plus fertilizer kills existing listed weeds and feeds to thicken your lawn and crowd out future weeds
- Weed Control and Lawn Fertilizer: controls over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, plantain, morningglory, chicory, eveningprimrose, and purslane
- Weed and Feed for Lawns: Apply this combination weed control and lawn food to a wet lawn when weeds are actively growing and daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F; do not apply more than 2X per year
- Use on Listed Grass Types: Apply this lawn care product to Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass (temporary discoloration may occur on some grasses)
- Coverage: One 14.29 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed3 covers 5,000 sq. ft.; use a Scotts spreader for even, uniform coverage
- Weed killer for lawns: Kill weeds in your lawn, including dandelion, chickweed, clover, crabgrass and foxtail with the Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Spray
- Fast-acting weed control: This weed control product kills listed weeds like crabgrass, dandelion, clover, chickweed and creeping charlie down to the root and gets results with 1 application
- Broadcast treatment for weeds: Won't harm lawn grasses when used as directed - use on lawn grasses including Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass and Zoysiagrass
- Spray weed killer: Apply to weeds that are young and actively growing by connecting your garden hose to the sprayer, sliding the switch to "ON" and spraying evenly until the lawn is wet
- Ready to spray: This 32 oz. container of Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Spray treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control kills weeds and gives your lawn a quick boost of nitrogen to promote greening
- Liquid weed killer plus fertilizer controls dandelion, clover, ground ivy, henbit, chickweed, plantain, poison ivy, and other broadleaf weeds as listed
- Apply this ready-to-spray weed and feed when weeds are actively growing
- This lawn care product is for use on Bluegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, Bahiagrass, Common Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, and Zoysiagrass
- One 32 fl. oz. container of Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control provides coverage of 6,000 sq. ft. for warm season lawns and 4,000 sq. ft. for cool season lawns
- Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed3 is a weed killer and lawn fertilizer that controls weeds and feeds grass in the fall for a better lawn next spring
- Fall weed and feed kills over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, plantain, morningglory, chicory, eveningprimrose, and purslane
- Apply weed control plus grass fertilizer to a moist lawn when weeds are actively growing and temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F
- This lawn care product is for use on Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass
- One 11.43 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed3 covers 4,000 sq. ft.
- Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed5 weed killer plus fertilizer kills existing listed weeds and feeds to thicken grass and crowd out future weeds
- Weed Control and Lawn Fertilizer: controls over 50 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, plantain, morningglory, chicory, eveningprimrose, and purslane
- Weed and Feed for Lawns: Apply this combination weed control and lawn food to a wet lawn when weeds are actively growing and daytime temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F; do not apply more than 2X per year
- Use on Listed Grass Types: Apply this lawn care product to Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass (temporary discoloration may occur on some grasses)
- Coverage: One 11.32 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder Weed & Feed5 covers 4,000 sq. ft.; use a Scotts spreader for even, uniform coverage
- Designed to prevent weeds; will not aid in eliminating existing weeds. Prevents grassy and broadleaf weeds, including crabgrass, poa annua, goosegrass, henbit, and more.
- Contains 0.48% of the active ingredient prodiamine for professional-grade weed control for early spring and fall applications
- Made with patented DG Technology (dispersible granule) ensures granules dissolve rapidly upon watering, moving weed control directly into the soil for maximum impact
- Small particles for more coverage per square inch and superior performance
- Made in the USA
- KILLS & PREVENTS WEEDS* UP TO 6 MONTHS: Kills broadleaf weeds*, including Dandelion, Clover, Chickweed and Henbit with a proven blend of weed killers *Listed
- CRABGRASS PREVENTION: Prevents grassy and listed broadleaf weeds such as Crabgrass, Annual Bluegrass, Common Dandelion, Goosegrass and Spurge for up to 6 months
- IDEAL FOR SOUTHERN LAWNS: Improve your lawn care with this broadleaf weed killer that treats up to 4,000 square feet of southern turf, including all varieties of St. Augustinegrass and Floratam
- READY FOR THE SEASON: With one application, this crabgrass preventer offers season-long weed control
- SIMPLE APPLICATION: Apply these weed killer granules with a rotary or drop spreader and water lightly 24 hours after applying
Your Guide to Winning the Lawn Weed War: Choosing the Best Weed Control Product
Tired of dandelions ruining your beautiful green lawn? Choosing the right weed control product can feel complicated. This guide breaks down what you need to know to pick the perfect solution for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, focus on these important features:
- Target Specificity: Do you want a product that kills *only* the weeds (selective) or one that kills everything it touches (non-selective)? Most homeowners need selective herbicides for lawns.
- Weed Type Coverage: Check the label! Some products handle broadleaf weeds (like clover), while others target grassy weeds (like crabgrass). Many top products handle both.
- Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent: Pre-emergents stop seeds from sprouting. Post-emergents kill weeds that are already growing. You might need both for a complete plan.
- Speed of Action: How fast do you need results? Some products work in hours, while others take a week or two.
Important Ingredients and Materials
The active ingredients determine how the product works. Read the label closely to understand what you are spraying:
- 2,4-D, Dicamba, and MCPP: These are common ingredients in selective liquid herbicides. They are designed to disrupt the growth of broadleaf weeds without harming grass.
- Surfactants: Sometimes included or added separately, surfactants help the liquid stick to the weed’s leaves better, making the chemical work more effectively.
- Fertilizer Combinations: Many weed and feed products combine weed killers with lawn food. This saves time but requires careful application timing.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Product Quality
The quality of your weed killer affects your lawn’s health and safety.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Clear Labeling: High-quality products clearly list every active ingredient and provide detailed safety instructions.
- Rainfastness: A good product dries quickly and resists washing away in the rain shortly after application. This ensures the chemical stays on the weeds.
- Compatibility with Grass Type: The best product works safely with your specific grass (like Fescue or Bermuda). A product safe for one type might harm another.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Generic Formulas: Very cheap, unknown brands might use older, less effective chemical combinations.
- Improper Storage: If a product freezes or gets extremely hot before you buy it, its effectiveness is reduced.
- Over-Concentration: If you mix liquid concentrates incorrectly (too strong), you risk burning your grass, even if the product is generally good.
User Experience and Best Use Cases
How you use the product matters as much as what you buy.
Ease of Use:
Ready-to-use spray bottles are fantastic for small patches or quick spot treatments. Concentrate liquids require mixing with water in a tank sprayer but are much more cost-effective for large yards.
Best Use Cases:
- Spring Prep: Use a pre-emergent product early in the spring before soil temperatures warm up to stop crabgrass before it starts.
- Summer Spot Treatment: Use a post-emergent liquid spray to target stubborn, visible weeds during the growing season.
- Fall Cleanup: Apply a broadleaf killer in the fall. Weeds take the chemical down to the roots better when the weather cools slightly.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Weed Control
Q: How soon after applying can my kids or pets play on the lawn?
A: Check the label! Most liquid treatments require the area to dry completely before re-entry. This usually takes between one to four hours. Granular products are often safe once watered in and dry.
Q: Will weed killer hurt my established grass?
A: If you use a *selective* herbicide formulated for your grass type, it should not harm the grass. Non-selective products, like glyphosate, kill everything, including your lawn.
Q: What is the best time of year to apply pre-emergent?
A: Apply pre-emergent when soil temperatures consistently hit 55 degrees Fahrenheit. For crabgrass, this is usually early spring, before the forsythia bushes bloom.
Q: Can I use weed killer when it is hot outside?
A: Generally, no. Applying weed killers when temperatures are above 85°F can cause the product to burn or damage your turfgrass, even if it is safe otherwise.
Q: What does “broadleaf” mean?
A: Broadleaf weeds have wide, flat leaves that are different from the long, thin blades of grass. Dandelions and clover are common broadleaf weeds.
Q: Should I water my lawn before or after spraying?
A: For most post-emergent sprays, the lawn should be dry. However, some products work better if the soil is slightly moist *before* application.
Q: Are organic weed killers effective?
A: Organic options, often using ingredients like corn gluten meal or vinegar, can work, but they often require more applications and are usually less powerful than synthetic chemicals.
Q: How long does it take for post-emergent weed killer to show results?
A: Results vary. Some products show wilting within 24 hours, while others take 10 to 14 days for the weed to fully die.
Q: Why do I need both pre-emergent and post-emergent products?
A: Pre-emergent prevents future weeds from sprouting. Post-emergent kills the weeds that are already established and growing.
Q: Can I use the same sprayer for fertilizer and weed killer?
A: It is highly recommended that you use separate sprayers. Chemical residue left in a sprayer can seriously damage your lawn if you accidentally use it later for fertilizer.