Does your beautiful green lawn look more like a patchy, green battlefield dotted with stubborn invaders? Those unwelcome dandelions and crabgrass can quickly turn your pride and joy into a source of frustration. You want a lush, perfect carpet of grass, but fighting off weeds feels like a never-ending war.
Choosing the right lawn spray for weeds adds another layer of confusion. Should you use a pre-emergent or a post-emergent? Will it harm your grass? The sheer number of products on the shelf can make your head spin, and nobody wants to waste time or money on something that doesn’t work—or worse, damages their yard.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down exactly what you need to know about effective weed control sprays. By the end, you will feel confident selecting the perfect product for your lawn’s specific needs, ensuring a healthier, greener result. Let’s dive into mastering your weed-fighting arsenal!
Top Lawn Spray For Weeds Recommendations
- 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
- 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 – NOT THE LAWN: When used as directed
- VISIBLE RESULTS IN 5 HOURS: Conquer unruly weeds and see visible results in as fast as 5 hours
- KILLS 470+ WEED TYPES AS LISTED: Kills broadleaf and grassy weeds including dandelion, chickweed and clover as well as crabgrass and yellow nutsedge – see product label for complete list of weed types
- KILLS THE ROOT: Kills weeds by contact down to the root
- READY-TO-USE FORMULA: No mixing required
- Weed killer for lawns: Kill crabgrass, dandelion, clover and other listed common weeds in your lawn with Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Use
- Fast-acting weed control: This weed control product kills like crabgrass, dandelion, clover, chickweed and creeping charlie down to the root and gets results with 1 application
- Spot 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 in the spring or fall; spray to lightly cover weed leaves
- Ready to use: This 1 gal. container of Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-to-Use includes the battery-powered Comfort Wand to accurately target weeds you want to kill
- Roundup For Lawns₁ is a ready-to-use tough weed killer for Northern grasses that kills weeds, roots and all (when used as directed), with up to 3 month weed control (as listed)
- Kills 253 types of weeds (see inside booklet for weed list), including crabgrass, dandelion, clover, yellow nutsedge, poison ivy, chickweed, oxalis, and purslane
- Roundup For Lawns₁ starts working immediately and is rainproof in 3 hours
- Use this tough weed killer on listed Northern grasses, including Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Fescue spp. including Tall, Red, and Fine Leaf Fescues, and Zoysiagrass
- The easy reach extendable spray wand makes application a breeze with its continuous spray
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Lawn Spray for Weeds
Tired of pesky weeds taking over your beautiful lawn? A good lawn weed spray can be your best friend. This guide will help you pick the right one so you can enjoy a greener, healthier yard. We look at what makes a spray effective and how to use it right.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, certain features make one product better than another. Think about what you need the spray to do.
1. Weed Targeting Specificity
- Broadleaf Killers: These sprays target common weeds like dandelions and clover. They usually leave grass unharmed.
- Selective vs. Non-Selective: Selective sprays only kill certain plants (weeds). Non-selective sprays kill everything they touch, including your grass. Choose wisely!
2. Speed of Action
How fast do you want results? Some sprays start working in hours, showing visible yellowing quickly. Others take a week or more to fully kill the weed.
3. Longevity and Residual Effects
Some products offer long-term control. They keep new weeds from sprouting for several weeks or months. Others only kill the weeds currently present.
Important Ingredients and Materials
The chemicals in the spray determine how it works. Always read the label carefully.
Active Ingredients
Look for common active ingredients like 2,4-D, Dicamba, or MCPP. These chemicals attack the weed’s growth system. Different combinations work best on different types of weeds. Check if the product is safe for your type of grass (like Bermuda, Fescue, or Zoysia).
Concentrate vs. Ready-to-Use
- Ready-to-Use (RTU): These bottles attach directly to your hose. They are easy and require no mixing. They are great for small yards.
- Concentrates: You mix these with water in a separate sprayer. They usually cover more area and save money in the long run.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the spray directly affects your lawn’s health.
What Makes Quality Better?
- Rainfastness: High-quality sprays dry quickly. If rain washes the product away before it soaks in, you waste time and money. Look for sprays that become “rainfast” within one to two hours.
- Low Volatility: Good sprays do not easily turn into vapor and drift onto nearby flowers or vegetable gardens.
What Reduces Quality?
Using the wrong temperature is a major quality reducer. Applying weed killer when it is too hot (over 85°F) can stress your grass, sometimes causing brown spots, even if the product is safe for your grass type.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the product matters as much as what you buy.
Application Ease
If you are new to lawn care, choose an RTU hose-end sprayer. They simplify measuring and application. Experienced gardeners might prefer concentrates for better control over mixing ratios.
Best Use Cases
- Spot Treating: Use a smaller spray bottle for just a few stubborn weeds. This saves product.
- Full Lawn Treatment: Use a hose-end sprayer for uniform coverage across the entire yard when you have widespread weed problems.
Always wear protective gear, like gloves and long sleeves, when applying any lawn chemical. Follow the mixing and application directions exactly.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Weed Spray
Q: How long until I see weeds dying?
A: Most fast-acting sprays show visible results within 24 to 72 hours. You will see yellowing or wilting.
Q: Can I mow my lawn right after spraying?
A: Wait at least two to three days after spraying before mowing. This gives the chemical enough time to travel down into the weed’s roots.
Q: Is it safe to let my dog walk on the lawn after spraying?
A: Check the label! Most sprays require the area to be completely dry before pets can safely return. This usually takes a few hours.
Q: What is the best time of year to spray weeds?
A: Spring and early fall are usually the best times. Weeds are actively growing then, which helps them absorb the spray better.
Q: Will this spray hurt my flowers or shrubs?
A: If you use a selective broadleaf killer, it should not harm your grass. However, drift onto desirable plants can cause damage. Spray on calm days.
Q: Do I need to water my lawn before applying the spray?
A: Lightly water your lawn about 24 hours before spraying. This encourages the weeds to grow actively. Do not spray on a wet lawn.
Q: What if it rains the day after I spray?
A: If the product is not yet rainfast, you might need to reapply. Check the label for the required waiting time before rain.
Q: Can I use the same sprayer for fertilizer and weed killer?
A: Never mix chemicals unless the label specifically says you can. It is best practice to have separate sprayers for herbicides (weed killers) and fertilizers.
Q: Are organic weed sprays effective?
A: Organic options, often vinegar-based, work well on young, small weeds. However, they often require repeated applications and may not kill deep roots like synthetic chemicals do.
Q: How do I clean my sprayer after using weed killer?
A: Rinse the sprayer thoroughly with water. Then, fill it partially with a solution of water and a little dish soap, agitate it, and rinse again. Always dispose of the rinse water safely, away from gardens.