Does your lawn look more like a patchy, weed-infested battlefield than a lush green carpet? You’re not alone! Many homeowners struggle to achieve that perfect, vibrant yard they dream about. Choosing the right lawn fertilizer and weed killer feels like a guessing game. Should you use a granular or liquid feed? Which product targets clover without harming your grass? These decisions can lead to wasted money, dead patches, or simply a mediocre lawn.
Stop guessing and start growing! This confusion ends today. We break down the essential differences between fertilizers and weed killers. You will learn exactly what ingredients to look for and how to match the right product to your specific lawn problems. Ready to transform your yard from drab to dazzling? Keep reading to unlock the secrets to a healthier, greener lawn this season.
Top Lawn Fertilizer And Weed Killer 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
- 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
- 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 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 Triple Action1 is a three-in-one formula that kills weeds, prevents crabgrass, and feeds grass to build thick, green lawns
- Controls existing listed lawn weeds, including dandelion, clover, dollarweed, ground ivy, chickweed, plantain, henbit, and english daisy
- Prevents crabgrass for 4 months (will not kill existing crabgrass); prevents other listed grassy weeds from invading your lawn
- For use on Bahiagrass, Centipedegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Bermudagrass, Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, and Zosyiagrass
- Apply to a wet lawn with a Scotts spreader, and then water in after 24 hours; apply in early spring when dandelions are actively growing; an 11.31 lb. bag treats 4,000 sq. ft.
- Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed5 weed killer and lawn fertilizer controls listed 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, evening primrose, and purslane
- Apply weed control plus grass fertilizer to a wet lawn when weeds are actively growing and temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 90°F
- This lawn care product can be used on Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Bluegrass, Centipedegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, or Zoysiagrass
- One 11.28 lb. bag of Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed5 covers 4,000 sq. ft.
- KILLS TOUGH WEEDS: Improve your lawn care with lawn weed and feed fertilizer, targeting hard-to-kill listed weeds with weed control for lawns
- PREVENTS NEW WEEDS: Control listed weeds such as crabgrass, dandelions, clovers, and black medic
- KILLS LARGE CRABGRASS: Control crabgrass, targeting them down to the root for visible results in just 3 days
- PREVENTS NEW CRABGRASS: Use to keep crabgrass, dandelions, clovers, black medic, and other listed weeds from starting, applying crabgrass preventer for lawns while keeping your grass unharmed
- GREENS UP TO 3 MONTHS: Fertilizer for grass offers stronger turf while acting as a lawn weed killer
- DUAL-ACTION FORMULA: Kills major broadleaf weeds while feeding your lawn.
- FEEDS LAWN: Fertilizes with 20 percent nitrogen formulation.
- KILLS WEEDS: Controls dandelion, chickweed, knotweed, plantain, clover, mallow, purslane and many broadleaf weeds as listed.
- QUICKFLIP SPRAYER: Just connect to your hose and spray – just grip, flip and go.
- COVERAGE: 32 ounces treats up to 7,500 square feet of lawn.
Your Guide to Greener Grass: Buying Lawn Fertilizer and Weed Killer
Want a lawn that looks like the ones in the magazines? You need the right lawn fertilizer and weed killer. This guide helps you choose the best product for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
Good lawn care products do more than one thing. Look for these important features when shopping:
1. Combined Action (2-in-1 or 3-in-1)
- Fertilizer: This feeds your grass so it grows thick and green.
- Weed Killer: This kills unwanted plants like dandelions and clover.
- Crabgrass Preventer (Optional): Some products stop crabgrass before it even starts growing.
2. Application Type
- Granular (Dry): These look like tiny pebbles. You spread them with a broadcast or drop spreader. They often last longer.
- Liquid: These mix with water. You spray them onto the lawn. They work faster but might need reapplication sooner.
3. Safety and Timing
- Check if the product is safe for your type of grass (like St. Augustine, Fescue, or Bermuda).
- Note the best time of year to apply it. Applying at the wrong time can hurt your lawn.
Important Materials Inside
The ingredients tell the story of what the product will do. Fertilizers use the N-P-K ratio. These are the three main nutrients:
- N (Nitrogen): This makes the grass blades grow green and fast. Most lawn fertilizers have a high first number (e.g., 24-0-10).
- P (Phosphorus): This helps roots grow strong. Sometimes, this is limited because too much can harm water sources.
- K (Potassium): This helps the grass handle stress, like heat or cold.
For weed killers, the active ingredients matter. Common weed killers include 2,4-D or Dicamba. These are chemicals designed to target broadleaf weeds without harming the grass blades.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one bag better than another? It often comes down to how well the product works over time and how easy it is to use.
Quality Boosters:
- Slow-Release Nitrogen: High-quality fertilizers use coatings that slowly release nutrients over several weeks. This means fewer feedings and less risk of burning your lawn.
- Broad-Spectrum Weed Control: The best weed killers tackle many different types of weeds, not just one or two common ones.
Quality Reducers:
- Fast-Release Nitrogen: If all the food releases at once, your grass grows too fast, looks pale quickly, and might burn easily if it gets too hot.
- Poor Spreader Compatibility: If granular products are too dusty or clump together, they clog up spreaders, leading to patchy results.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the product affects your success. Think about your lawn’s current situation.
User Experience Tips:
- Calibrate Your Spreader: Always read the bag and set your spreader to the exact setting recommended. This prevents waste and lawn damage.
- Watering: Granular products usually need light watering after application to activate the fertilizer and move the weed killer down to the soil level.
Use Cases:
- Early Spring: Use a product with a pre-emergent (crabgrass preventer) to stop weeds before they sprout.
- Late Spring/Summer: Use a balanced fertilizer to support growth during peak season, combined with a post-emergent weed killer for any weeds that pop up.
- Fall: Use a winterizer formula high in Potassium (K) to prepare the roots for cold weather.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Fertilizer and Weed Killer
Q: Can I use this product if I have pets or kids playing outside?
A: Yes, but only after you follow the instructions carefully. Most products require a waiting period. Wait until the product has dried completely, or for a specified number of hours, before letting pets or children back on the lawn.
Q: Will this kill my existing grass?
A: No, if you use it correctly. Most fertilizer/weed killer combos are made for specific grass types (like cool-season grasses). Applying too much or using it on the wrong grass type can cause damage or “burn” your lawn.
Q: How soon after applying will I see results?
A: For weed killing, you might see sensitive weeds curling or turning yellow within a few days. For the greening effect from fertilizer, you should see richer color within one to two weeks, especially with liquid formulas.
Q: What is the difference between a pre-emergent and a post-emergent weed killer?
A: A pre-emergent stops seeds from sprouting (like putting up a barrier). A post-emergent kills weeds that are already visible and growing above the ground.
Q: Do I have to water the lawn after spreading the dry granules?
A: Yes, usually. Watering lightly helps wash the fertilizer off the grass blades and moves the active ingredients into the soil where the roots can use them and the weed killer can work effectively.
Q: When is the absolute best time to fertilize my lawn?
A: The best time depends on your grass type. Cool-season grasses prefer early spring and fall. Warm-season grasses prefer late spring and summer when they are actively growing.
Q: My lawn has bare spots. Will this product help fill them in?
A: Fertilizer helps existing grass grow thicker, which crowds out weeds. However, fertilizer alone will not grow new grass in bare spots. You must spread grass seed in those areas separately.
Q: Can I apply fertilizer and weed killer if it looks like rain later?
A: Avoid applying right before heavy rain. If too much rain washes the product away quickly, the nutrients are wasted, and the chemicals might run off into storm drains.
Q: Why are some bags so much more expensive than others?
A: Higher prices usually mean higher quality materials. Look for slow-release nitrogen coatings or specialized, safer weed-killing ingredients in the pricier bags.
Q: Should I mow my lawn before or after applying the product?
A: Generally, mow the day before you apply. If you mow right before, the grass blades are too short to properly hold the granules, and you might scalp the lawn.