Does your perfect green lawn often look more like a patchy battlefield? You spend hours mowing, watering, and dreaming of that lush carpet, only to see stubborn weeds pop up like tiny green invaders. It’s frustrating, right? You want a simple solution that tackles the weeds without harming your beautiful grass.
Choosing the right weed killer fertilizer adds another layer of confusion. Should you use a pre-emergent or a post-emergent? Which product feeds the good grass while attacking the bad? Finding the balance between powerful weed control and healthy lawn nutrition can feel like a guessing game. Using the wrong mix can leave you with dead patches or weeds that just laugh at your efforts.
This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down exactly what weed killer fertilizer is, how it works, and what you need to look for on the bag. By the end of this post, you will know precisely which product will give you that enviable, weed-free yard. Let’s dive in and unlock the secret to a truly magnificent lawn.
Top Weed Killer Fertilizer For Lawns 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.
- 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.
- SOUTHERN LAWNS: Specially formulated for Southern lawns like Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam), and more, this grass fertilizer for lawn provides care and acts as a weed killer for lawns
- 6-MONTH PROTECTION: Delivers up to 6 months of weed prevention, stopping listed broadleaf and grassy weeds, including crabgrass
- WEED KILLER: Kills listed weeds like dandelion, dollarweed, and clover, serving as a reliable weed and feed for lawns to keep your lawn healthy and maintain its beauty
- LAWN FERTILIZER: This lawn fertilizer and weed control product feeds, greens, and strengthens your lawn, helping it remain lush throughout the season
- EASY APPLICATION: Use with a broadcast or drop spreader to apply this weed and feed lawn fertilizer, managing your lawn care routine with ease and maximum results
- 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
The Lawn Lover’s Guide: Choosing the Right Weed Killer Fertilizer
A beautiful, green lawn is something everyone wants. Sometimes, pesky weeds try to ruin the look. Weed killer fertilizers help you fight weeds while feeding your grass. This guide helps you pick the best one for your yard.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look for these important features. These tell you how well the product will work.
Targeted Weed Control
- Selective vs. Non-Selective: Most lawn products are selective. This means they kill weeds (like dandelions) but leave your desirable grass unharmed. Non-selective products kill everything they touch, including your lawn. Choose selective for lawns!
- Weed Spectrum: Check the label. Does it list the weeds you actually have? Some products target broadleaf weeds, while others handle grassy weeds.
Fertilizer Benefits
- NPK Ratio: This stands for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). Nitrogen makes grass green and encourages growth. A good ratio feeds your lawn strongly after the weeds are gone.
- Slow-Release Options: Slow-release fertilizers feed your lawn over several weeks. This prevents sudden, fast growth spurts and keeps the lawn greener longer.
Application Type
- Granular vs. Liquid: Granular products spread easily with a spreader and often last longer in the soil. Liquid products mix with water and start working faster.
- Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent: Pre-emergents stop seeds from sprouting (great for spring). Post-emergents kill weeds that are already visible (great for summer touch-ups).
Important Materials and Ingredients
The chemicals inside determine the product’s power. Understanding these helps you make smart choices.
Active Weed Killers
Look for common active ingredients like 2,4-D, Dicamba, or MCPP. These chemicals disrupt how the weeds grow. Make sure the amount listed is strong enough for tough weeds in your area.
Nutrient Sources
Good fertilizer uses high-quality sources for NPK. Urea is a common nitrogen source. Slow-release formulas often use sulfur-coated urea for extended feeding. Better quality materials lead to healthier grass.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your results depends on more than just the bag.
Improving Quality
- Timing: Applying the product at the right time of year (when weeds are actively growing) greatly improves results.
- Soil Conditions: Healthy soil absorbs nutrients better. Aerating your lawn before fertilizing can improve overall absorption.
- Watering: Follow the label’s watering instructions. Too little water might prevent the fertilizer from spreading, and too much too soon might wash the chemicals away.
Reducing Quality
- Rainfall: Heavy rain shortly after application can wash the product away, reducing both weed control and feeding effectiveness.
- Over-Application: Using too much product burns your grass. Always measure carefully.
- Temperature: Applying certain chemicals when the temperature is too high stresses the grass and reduces the product’s effectiveness.
User Experience and Use Cases
How easy is the product to use? When should you use it?
For beginners, granular products used with a standard spreader offer a simple, even application. Experienced gardeners might prefer liquids for spot-treating specific areas quickly.
Use Case 1: Spring Cleanup. Use a weed and feed with a pre-emergent ingredient early in the spring. This stops crabgrass before it starts while giving your lawn a boost as it wakes up.
Use Case 2: Summer Touch-Up. If dandelions pop up in July, use a post-emergent liquid spray. It targets visible weeds quickly without applying heavy fertilizer when the grass is already stressed by summer heat.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Weed Killer Fertilizer
Q: How long until I see the weeds die?
A: Most post-emergent weed killers start showing results within 7 to 14 days. The fertilizer benefits happen over several weeks.
Q: Can I use this if I have pets?
A: Yes, but you must follow the re-entry instructions. Wait until the product dries completely, or wait the time specified on the label (usually 24 to 72 hours) before letting pets walk on the lawn.
Q: Does this product kill clover?
A: Many selective weed killers target broadleaf weeds, and clover is a broadleaf weed. Check the label to confirm clover is listed.
Q: What is the best time of year to apply this?
A: Early spring is ideal for pre-emergents. For post-emergents and feeding, apply when weeds are actively growing, usually when temperatures are between 60°F and 85°F.
Q: Will this product hurt my established flowers nearby?
A: If you use a selective product and apply it carefully, it should not hurt established plants. Drift (when spray moves) can cause damage, so avoid spraying on windy days.
Q: What is the difference between weed and feed and just fertilizer?
A: Fertilizer just feeds the grass. Weed killer fertilizer does both: it feeds the grass and actively kills the unwanted weeds simultaneously.
Q: How often should I apply weed killer fertilizer?
A: This depends on the product. Many standard weed and feeds are applied 2 to 4 times per year, following a seasonal schedule.
Q: My grass looks yellow after applying. What happened?
A: This is often called fertilizer burn. It happens when you use too much product or if the product was applied when the grass was very dry. Always measure carefully.
Q: Is granular or liquid generally better for lawns?
A: Granular products are easier for beginners to spread evenly across a large area. Liquids work faster but require careful spraying equipment.
Q: Do I need to water the lawn after spreading granular weed killer?
A: Yes, usually. The label will tell you to water lightly after spreading granular products. This helps move the chemicals down to the soil and activates the fertilizer.