Does your beautiful green lawn look like it’s hosting an unwelcome green party, complete with dandelions, clover, and crabgrass? You spend hours mowing and watering, only to have pesky weeds steal the show. It’s frustrating! Choosing the right spray weed killer for your lawn can feel like a maze. Do you need a selective killer that only targets the bad guys, or a non-selective one for tough spots? Will it harm your grass? These questions stop many homeowners from taking action.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what you need to look for in a spray weed killer. Learn the difference between products, how to apply them safely, and how to keep your turf looking perfect all season long. Get ready to ditch the guesswork and reclaim your yard. Let’s dive into making your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.
Top Spray Weed Killer For Lawn Recommendations
- 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
- 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.
- Use Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns Ready-To-Spray to kill weeds down to the root, without harming your lawn (when used as directed); you'll see visible results in hours
- KILLS WEEDS: This lawn weed killer kills over 250 common weeds, including dandelions, clover, poison ivy, chickweed, and dollarweed (see product label for complete weed list)
- LAWN FRIENDLY: It contains three proven ingredients that target common lawn weeds, so it won’t harm your grass (when used as directed)
- RESULTS YOU CAN SEE: Visible results in hours; rainproof in 1 hour upon drying; people and pets may enter the treated area after the spray has dried
- EASY TO USE: To apply, connect your garden hose to the sprayer and set the nozzle to your desired setting
- Weed killer for lawns: Use Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns to kill over 250 listed weeds including dandelion and clover down to the root, without harming your lawn (when used as directed)
- Fast-acting weed control: Kills listed weeds like dandelion, clover, and chickweed down to the root and gets results with 1 application
- Spot treatment for weeds: Kills weeds not the lawn when used as directed - use on St. Augustinegrass (not Floratam), Bermudagrass, Centipedegrass, Zoysiagrass, Buffalograss, and Bahiagrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Tall Fescue, and Fine Fescue
- Spray weed killer: Apply this lawn weed killer to small, actively growing weeds when daytime temperatures are below 90°F
- Ready to use: This 1 gal. container of Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns comes with the continuous-spray Comfort Wand applicator to easily spot treat weeds in your lawn
- KILLS WEEDS AND GRASSES: Use on driveways and walkways, and around fences, trees, flower beds, shrubs and other areas in your yard
- FAST-ACTING FORMULA: Visible results as fast as 3 hours – replant new flowers, trees and shrubs the same weekend
- RAINFAST: Rainfall or watering 15 minutes after application will not wash away effectiveness
- READY TO USE: Spray to completely cover the leaves of the target vegetation
- KILLS THE ROOT: Kills weeds and grasses as listed
- KILLS TO THE ROOT: BioAdvanced Lawn Weed Killer controls listed weeds down to their roots and can cover up to 8,000 sq. ft. of lawn
- KILLS OVER 200 WEEDS: Kills over 200 listed lawn weeds, including clover, dandelion, dollarweed, and chickweed
- EASY APPLICATION: One application will kill listed weeds and won't harm your lawn (when used as directed)
- VERSATILE FOR YOUR LAWN: Formulated for both Southern and Northern lawns like Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Bermuda, Buffalo, and some varieties of St. Augustinegrass
- RAINPROOF PROTECTION: Enjoy rainproof protection in 1 hour with this lawn weed killer spray
Choosing the Right Spray Weed Killer for Your Lawn: A Complete Buying Guide
Keeping your lawn green and weed-free is a big job. A good spray weed killer makes this task much easier. This guide helps you pick the best product for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for weed killer, look closely at what the label says. These features tell you how well the product will work.
- Selective vs. Non-Selective: This is very important. Selective weed killers only kill certain plants (like broadleaf weeds) but leave your grass alone. Non-selective killers kill everything they touch, including your lawn. For most homeowners, a selective killer is the right choice.
- Fast-Acting vs. Slow-Acting: Some products work in just a few hours, showing you fast results. Others take several days or even weeks to fully kill the weed. Decide if you need quick action or if you can wait.
- Rainfastness: This means how quickly the product sticks to the weed and dries so rain won’t wash it away. Look for products that are rainfast within one to three hours.
- Concentrate vs. Ready-to-Use (RTU): RTU bottles are easy; you just spray. Concentrates are cheaper but require you to mix them with water in a separate sprayer.
Important Materials and Active Ingredients
The ingredients are the heart of any weed killer. They determine what the product kills and how strong it is.
Most effective lawn weed killers use chemicals that target the structure of the weed plant. Common active ingredients include 2,4-D, Dicamba, and MCPP. These are often used together for a wider range of weed control.
If you prefer natural options, look for ingredients like **citric acid** or **clove oil**. These burn the weeds quickly, but they are usually non-selective, meaning they might harm your grass too. Natural options often require more frequent applications.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Product Quality
The quality of your weed killer depends on more than just the name on the bottle.
What Improves Quality?
- Broad Spectrum Control: A high-quality spray kills many different types of weeds (like dandelions, clover, and plantain) with one application.
- Systemic Action: The best products are systemic. This means the chemical travels through the leaves down to the roots, killing the entire plant. This prevents the weed from growing back quickly.
- Temperature Stability: Some chemicals work best only in warm weather. Higher quality products often perform well across a wider range of mild temperatures.
What Reduces Quality?
Using the product incorrectly drastically reduces its quality and effectiveness. If the directions are not followed, the product simply won’t work right. Also, using a product when temperatures are too hot (over 90°F) can cause the spray to evaporate too fast or even damage your turf grass.
User Experience and Use Cases
How easy is the product to use? Good user experience matters, especially for beginners.
Ease of Application: Ready-to-Use (RTU) sprays are simplest for small areas. They often come with a built-in wand sprayer. For large yards, concentrates save money, but you must own or buy a good quality pump sprayer.
Safety and Odor: Always check the label for safety warnings. Some sprays have a strong chemical smell. If you have pets or small children, look for low-odor formulas or ones that state the area is safe for re-entry after the spray dries.
Use Cases:
- Spot Treating: For just a few annoying weeds, use an RTU spray and aim carefully.
- Lawn Renovation: If you have heavy weed infestation, a stronger concentrate mixed well provides better overall coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Spray Weed Killers
Q: How long until I can water my lawn after spraying?
A: Always check the label, but generally, you should wait until the spray is completely dry, usually 1 to 3 hours. This is when the product becomes “rainfast.”
Q: Can I use lawn weed killer near my vegetable garden?
A: Be very careful. If you use a spray that can drift easily, avoid using it near edible plants. Drift can harm or kill vegetables. Use a shield or choose a very low-drift formula.
Q: Will this kill clover in my lawn?
A: Most selective lawn weed killers are designed to target broadleaf weeds, and clover falls into this group. Check the label to confirm clover is listed.
Q: What is the best time of year to spray weeds?
A: Early spring and early fall are the best times. Weeds are actively growing then, which helps them suck the chemical down to the roots.
Q: What should I do if it rains right after I spray?
A: If the label says the product is rainfast within two hours, you are probably okay. If it rains sooner, you might need to reapply the product later.
Q: Do I need to mow my lawn before spraying?
A: It is usually best to mow a few days before spraying. This lets the weeds grow taller so they have more surface area for the spray to land on.
Q: Is there a difference between a “weed and feed” and a spray killer?
A: Yes. A “weed and feed” spreads fertilizer and weed killer granules across the whole lawn. A spray killer is usually faster acting and better for targeted or heavy weed spots.
Q: Can I use the same sprayer for fertilizer and weed killer?
A: No, never. Even after rinsing, tiny amounts of weed killer can stay in the sprayer and damage your plants later. Always use separate equipment.
Q: Why are some weed killers more expensive than others?
A: More expensive sprays often have better combinations of active ingredients, leading to faster or more complete root kill. They might also have better surfactants to help the product stick.
Q: How long does it take for the lawn to look healthy again?
A: After the weeds die (which can take a week or two), your grass may look stressed for a few days. Give the lawn a good watering, and it should green up nicely within a week or two.