The 15 Best Weed Killers for Your Lawn in 2024 [Reviews]

Eliminating weeds can be quite challenging. When picking the most effective weed killer for your lawn, it’s crucial to select a herbicide specifically designed for the weed you want to get rid of.

Below, I’ve assessed and compared the best products I have used over the years to assist you in finding the best weed killer for your lawn and specific needs.

Top 3 Best Weed Killers for Lawn: Comparison + Rating

In a hurry? Here are the best weed killers I’ve compared by category:

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In the table, I’ve shown the most important features you’ll get with each of the top weed killers on the market today. Keep reading to learn what to look for when selecting one for your lawn.

Best 15 Weed Killers for Lawns (Reviews)

These products are great for their specific functions and that’s why I’ve listed them with their most effective use. Using them will get rid of different types of weeds in your lawn and flower beds.

Some are great for large areas, broad-leaf selective weed removal, and grassy weeds while others are great for people with kids and pets. Not sure what type of weed you have, please refer to our weed identification directory.

Here are the top 15 lawn weed killers with reviews and ratings:

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1. Syngenta Tenacity Turf Herbicide

BEST OVERALL FOR: Buffalograss, Centipedegrass, Fine & Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass

• The most effective grass weed killer
• Can be used as a pre-emergent and post-emergent
• Tenacity won’t kill grass (kills only weeds). (For Bermuda, only apply to dormant grass)
• Stunts weeds, letting your lawn grow thick and choke out weeds
• Controls crabgrass as well as broad-leaf weeds in the lawn.
• Strong formulation controls 46 broadleaf weed and grass species
• Has a long-lasting weed control power
• Can be applied at seeding

Tenacity is one of the best systemic herbicides on the market today. Its formulation contains 40% mesotrione, which is in the grade of commercial weed killers and is capable of controlling broadleaf and grassy weeds in the lawn before and after emerging.

Tenacity Turf Herbicide will kill grassy weeds and won’t kill lawn grass. (For Bermuda, only apply to dormant grass. Also, read my best weed killers for Bermuda grass article).

List of weeds Tenacity kills
Barnyardgrass, goosegrass, carpetweed, dandelion, chickweed, clover, crabgrass (large & smooth), foxtail, henbit, purslane, thistle, yellow nutsedge, wild carrot, nimble grass, bentgrass, and many more.

According to the manufacturer, Tenacity weed killer spray also controls grassy weeds at seeding, giving your lawn a competitive advantage over the weeds. As your grass establishes a thick cover, it prevents any new weeds from sprouting and growing in your lawn.

Tenacity is also recommended for application before seeding. It does not have time limitations, meaning you can apply it in spring, fall, or even when you want to control weeds during the summer.

Overall, if you’re looking for a permanent weed killer for your lawn, Syngenta’s Tenacity is a great product to try. I tried it on crabgrass and dallisgrass and was impressed with the results. However, I was not able to test how it works as a pre-emergent. Research however indicates that tenacity can be used for both pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control.

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2. Southern Ag Amine 2, 4-D Weed Killer

BEST SELECTIVE AND FOR LARGE AREAS

For me and most homeowners, a selective herbicide is the best. If it targets weeds and won’t kill grass, it is a great option for many homeowners. That’s exactly what Southern AG Amine 24-D formulation does.

• It is safe to apply on lawns and golf courses.
• The economical rate of 2- 3 tablespoons in 3 – 5 gallons of water to cover 1,000 sq. ft.
• Kills over 200 broadleaf weeds
• Acts fast – kills weeds within 2 days to 2 weeks
• Not as pricey as most herbicides

List of weeds controlled:
Carpetweed, catnip, chicory, cocklebur, coffee weed, cornflower, croton, dandelion, wild garlic, wild hemp mustards, nettles, wild onion pepper weed pigweed, plantains, wild radish, redstem, smartweed, thistle bull, thistle musk, thistle Russian, velvetleaf, vervains, water plantain, witchweed, wormwood, yellow rocket and many more.

This herbicide is suitable for controlling broadleaf weeds in your lawn without harming the plants you want to keep. This makes it ideal for use in lawns with extensive weed invasion.

You can, however, use it to spot-treat weeds if you have instances of weeds such as plantain spread out sparsely in your lawn.

The Southern Ag Amine 2, 4-D liquid concentrate weed killer can be used in many areas including pasture, rangelands, industrial sites, golf courses, and lawns.

When I applied it to the poison ivy behind my garage, I noticed that it did not kill it right away, but on the second application, it was effective at controlling the weeds without harming or injuring the St. Augustine grass that was thriving in that location.

Pro tip:
On hardy weeds that can prove hard to kill, apply twice or even three times. This is especially true for weeds such as oxalis and dandelions.

I would not recommend using this herbicide as a pre-emergent because it works best as a post-emergent application – getting absorbed through the foliage and killing weeds in the process.

In addition, you’d probably do better with a stronger weed killer if you have crabgrass in your lawn that you’re looking to get rid of.

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3. Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed Fertilizer

BEST WEED AND FEED GRANULAR

Quite a unique formulation on this list, the Scotts Weed and Feed formulation acts as a fertilizer as well as a weed control product. Here’s what I like about this herbicide:

• Helps prevent weeds in the lawn by crowding them out
• Kills dandelions and clovers effectively (guaranteed)
• Helps grow a thick, lawn
• Large coverage area
• Controls over 50 species of weed

List of weeds it kills:
Dollarweed, clover, dandelions, chickweed, pigweed, ground ivy, hawkweed, knotweed, mustard, plantain, pepperweed, sow thistle, spurweed, yarrow, wild carrot, yellow rocket plantain, pusley, red sorrel, etc.

This is one of the best granular lawn weed killers that can be used on different turfgrasses including fescue, ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, centipede, bahiagrass, Bermuda grass, and zoysia.

As soon as I applied to a small test area on my lawn, I noticed results starting to show within about 8 days.

Cons

• If you apply too much (accidentally or not) it will make your lawn brown
• It does not kill crabgrass
• The application process is a bit tedious – since you have to water your lawn before applying it.
• It is not pet-friendly. You might want to keep your pets and kids off the lawn after application until the dust settles (as the manufacturer recommends)
• The main ingredient may show up in your groundwater

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4. Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer (Homemade, Natural Organic, Pet Safe)

BEST ORGANIC- PET-SAFE WEED KILLER

Vinegar is one of the best homemade natural weed killers I’ve used. From my reviews and tests, this is a very effective spot treatment for lawns. Be careful not to apply it on the turfgrass you’re growing.

• Extremely effective on any weed
• The 20% acetic acid concentrate destroys weeds FAST
• Kills crabgrass, quackgrass, clovers, dandelions
• It is safe for pets and kids
• 100% organic – eliminates weeds without chemicals
• It is glyphosate-free
• Suitable for broadleaf and grassy weeds
• It will also kill moss on your lawn

List of weeds vinegar kills:
Crabgrass, oxalis, clover, chickweed, pigweed, dandelions, quackgrass, and many, many more weeds.

For spot-treating weeds, this 20% natural vinegar weed killer is one of the most effective organic solutions available. It acts as a post-emergent, so do not expect it to act as a weed preventer.

What I like more about it is that it will get rid of both grassy weeds as well as broad-leaf plants.

Be careful when using this organic weed solution because it can easily destroy any plant it comes into contact with.

If your home has pets and kids that play in the yard, using this vinegar recipe to kill weeds is one of the best ways to guarantee their safety.

Disadvantages of Using Vinegar to Kill Weeds

• Yes, it looks like a great weed killer for lawns, but it is not practical for lawns that are plagued with weeds
• It might not be very effective for controlling perennial weeds since they appear as though they’re dying only to re-appear from the roots
• At such high concentrations above 11%, vinegar is extremely dangerous and can cause serious skin burns, blindness, and irritation
• Household vinegar, usually at much lower concentrations, cannot kill weeds effectively
• Vinegar is not suitable for controlling weeds in large areas. You cannot also use it as a commercial weed killer

Overall, I don’t recommend using horticultural vinegar in your lawn and garden, for the simple reason that it is highly corrosive, and burns everything it touches. 

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5. Spectracide Weed Grass Killer

WON’T KILL GRASS

Fast-acting weed and grass killers are my favorite herbicides. Spectracide scored high on our rating scale when it got rid of some weeds within 24 hours.

• Shortest rainproof period of 15 minutes
• Fast-acting formula with results as fast as 3 hours
• Kills shrubs, weeds, and grasses effectively.
• Can be used over a large area
• Can be used to remove old lawn for re-seeding (ground clear weed killer)

While it is not an industrial-grade weed killer for lawns, you can use it on your lawn without killing grass. It is pretty effective at getting rid of most broadleaf weeds as well as a decent number of unwanted grass species.

We tested this concentrate on clovers and plantains that were growing along driveways and walkways, and it did a great job of removing the weeds within a period of 24 hours.

The Cons

• First thing, you might want to use your own sprayer. The one it comes with is a little weak, and the nozzles don’t spray so well.
• The second downside I noticed with the Spectracide weed killer is that it struggled a bit at killing poison ivy even though it killed most other broadleaf vegetation in the yard.
• The third issue is that it may damage your flower beds if you apply non-selectively. It can also kill your lawn grass very easily, so use it carefully to spot-treat.

If you have thick grass within the cracks in sidewalks and rocks, you might need a few applications of this herbicide to eliminate the weeds.

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6. Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer

Most of the best weed killers on this list are post-emergents, but this one is a great pre-emergent.

• Prevents crabgrass all-season-long.
• Can be applied in spring, fall, and winter.
• Prevents winter weeds such as poa annua and chickweed.
• Prevents moss in lawns
• Can be applied during rain

List of weeds it prevents:
Crabgrass, Goosegrass, Barnyard grass, Spurge, Foxtail, Poa annua, Henbit, Chickweed.

Being a crabgrass preventer, ensure that you apply this herbicide at the onset of spring. This is the time when crabgrass usually starts to germinate. Poor timing might lead to ineffectiveness in preventing grass weeds in your lawn.

Crabgrass germinates at 55°F, so wait for the soil to warm up before applying pre-emergence crabgrass control.

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7. Compare-N-Save Weed Killer for Lawns (Non-Selective)

This herbicide is one of the strongest weed killers you can find on the market. Here’s why:

• Best non-selective lawn weed killer
• Kills broadleaf and grassy weeds
• It starts killing weeds immediately
• Eliminates over 200 different weeds in the lawn
• Becomes rainproof within 2 hours after application

This herbicide is highly effective in getting rid of broadleaf and grassy weeds you find in lawns. Here’s a quick note on how to distinguish between broadleaf and grassy weeds.

It starts working immediately, and the 8.6% Dimethylamine Salt of 2,4-D Acid concentrate you get for the low price can kill weeds in a very large area of up to 16,000 sq. ft.

List of weeds it kills:
It kills over 200 weeds including clover, chickweed, thistle, plantain, nettles, oxalis, dandelion, nutgrass, primrose, horsetail, radish, marigold, ground ivy, poison oak, pigweed, etc.

You can overseed the lawn when you finish killing weeds to cover the bare spot-treated areas.

The one thing I did not like about this top non-selective weed killer for lawns is that you cannot use it for controlling weeds in flower or vegetable beds. It can easily kill some of the great plants you have including ornamental grasses.

Important to note: Do not apply this herbicide on newly seeded turfgrasses. Also, after eliminating weeds, wait 3-4 weeks to reseed, otherwise, germination will be poor.

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8. Roundup Max Control 365

Roundup has made a name for itself as the most effective weed destroyer. This formulation features Fast-Acting technology, makin it one of the fastest weed killers you can buy.

• Kills over 250 weeds and won’t harm lawn grass
• Fastest action – visible results within 12 hours.
• Great coverage with 16oz covering up to 5000 sq. ft.
• Kills weeds down to the root
• Eliminates tough-to-kill weeds including crabgrass
• Rainproof within 3 hours.
• Comes in a ready-to-use spray package.

Roundup is definitely one of the go-to weed killers. Most Round-up products can kill almost any plant it comes in contact with, making it one of the best weed control herbicides.

However, with this particular product, the formulation is meant for safe use on the lawn and can be sprayed to target weeds only. Keep in mind over-application on your lawn can easily kill your lawn grass.

When you want to use a very high concentration, it is best to use the spot-spray technique using a weed sprayer on the weeds instead of spraying the entire turfgrass.

Weeds Roundup for lawns will kill:
Crabgrass, dandelions, clover, yellow nutsedge and many more.

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9. Ortho Weed B Gon

Ortho Weed B Gon does exactly what it’s supposed to, that is kills a variety of weeds and best of all without harming your turfgrass when used as directed.

This potent solution kills weeds right down to their roots and provides quick results within an hour. Ortho Weed B Gon is rainproof within just an hour after application and can be sprayed anytime the weeds are actively growing.

Ortho Weed B Gon is by far one of the easiest weed-killing products I’ve ever used and one that actually works. I basically had to use it just once and the sun did the rest by drying out the weeds and killing them eventually.

Even though Ortho Weed B Gon works fairly quickly, some weeds can be eliminated within 24 hours and other may take longer.

Pros:

Cons:

Weeds Ortho B Gon Kills

Ortho B Gon kills a long list of weeds including dandelions, clover and other broadleaf weeds to the root and without damaging your lawn. Adding to this, Ortho Weed B Gon can be used on several different types of turfgrasses including Bahiagrass, St. Augustine, Bermudagrass and Centipedegrass.

Personal Verdict

For a strong way to eliminate myriad different weeds and without damaging the grass in your lawn, you really can’t go wrong with Ortho B Gon.

This stuff worked well for all my weeds and also killed spurweed. I actually found it enjoyable spraying the weeds with the included wand but some of the larger weeds did require a real drenching of this product.

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10. Ortho GroundClear

Another hit from the Ortho hangar, GroundClear works a bit differently from Ortho B Gon in that it kills a wide range of weeds and grasses as well, making it a great choice if you’re starting a lawn from scratch.

Ortho B Gon is however glyphosate free and has dmethylamine salt as its active ingredient, which is why it kills weeds and not grass. Ortho Ground Clear does contain glyphosate, owing to which it kills any vegetation it comes in contact with.

Ortho GroundClear prevents regrowth up to 1 year and is a ready and easy-to-use product with the included comfort wand. Since it gets rid of literally everything in your lawn, you can use Ortho GroundClear wherever weeds aren’t desired including sidewalks, driveways, and gravel areas.

I tried to kill wild bamboo in my yard with Ortho GroundClear but the results were a bit disappointing not because it didn’t work but because it took longer than expected.

Pros:

Cons:

Weeds Ortho GroundClear Kills

Ortho GroundClear kills all types of weeds and grass and prevents regrowth for up to 1 year with a single application.

Personal Verdict

My lawn was riddled with weeds a few years ago, for which Ortho GroundClear was a lifesaver. It not only helped get rid of weeds but also prevented regrowth for roughly a year.

I found the best time to use Ortho GroundClear is when the weather forecast is dry and warm (~70 degrees F), with partial or full sun. Even though mixing the product was a little daunting, the results were well worth the time spent.

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11. Gordon’s SpeedZone

Gordon’s SpeedZone is a fairly new product in the weed killer segment but is worth a mention given its raving reviews. It contains several different powerful ingredients including 2,4-D 2-ethylhexyl ester, making it an effective weed killer for several different weeds.

This post-emergent herbicide kills weeds after they crop up in your lawn and can be used for both cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses.

Gordon’s SpeedZone weed killer takes a bit longer to kills weeds than most other products on this list, somewhere between 7 to 14 days, but the weeds show signs of weakness a few hours after application.

My neighbor has had great results with Gordon’s SpeedZone, and swears by the product, saying that it wiped out the creeping Charlie that was taking over his lawn.

Pros:

Cons:

Weeds Gordon’s SpeedZone Kills

Gordon’s SpeedZone kills troublesome weeds like spurge, pennywort, dandelion, and white clover.

Personal Verdict

Gordon’s SpeedZone is a strong formulation to eliminate many different weeds from your lawn. This concentrate should be mixed in the right proportions in order to be effective so you should follow the instructions listed on the product label.

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12. Preen Garden Weed Preventer

Preen – sounds like a fancy name for a dishwashing soap – at least that’s what I thought when I found a big jug of this liquid tucked away in my kitchen cabinet.

Little did I know, Preen is my wife’s go-to choice for a weed killer for her garden beds. The Preen weed preventer guarantees weed prevention for up to three months and can be used around a whopping 200 garden plants located in flower and vegetable gardens, and around trees and shrubs.

Preen is available in several different sizes including starting from a 5.6 lb bottle that covers up to 900 square feet to a large 31 lbs bag that covers up to 5,000 square feet.

Pros:

Cons:

Weeds Preen Kills

Preen keeps your property weed-free all-season long and should be applied during the growing season and reapply every 9 – 12 weeks.

Personal Verdict

Preen is an effective pesticide to keep several different weeds in your lawn and garden, and if the wife says it works, I couldn’t agree more! It can be applied to plants between 2 inches to 3 inches tall and prevents weeds for up to 3 months.

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13. Ferti-Lome Weed-Out Lawn Weed Killer

Ferti-Lome boasts a massive lineup of OMRI listed products, and the Weed-Out lawn killer is yet another bestselling product in the company’s portfolio.

The Ferti-Lome Weed-Out lawn killer is available in a 1-gallon can and can be used to control more than 200 broadleaf weeds in many types of lawn grasses including St, Augustine, Fescue, Bermuda and Bluegrass.

It is perhaps the easiest to use among most other weed killers, where you mix the concentrate with water at the suggested rates and apply. You can use Ferti-Lome for both broadcast and spot treatments but it’s important to note that the application rates vary across turfgrasses.

Pros:

Cons:

Weeds Ferti-Lome Kills

Ferti-Lome kills clover, dandelion and chickweed among many other weeds.

Personal Verdict

My lawn care company recommended Ferti-Lome Weed-Out to me a few years ago. They’ve even used it on my lawn to get rid of chickweed and it worked miraculously. But make sure you follow the directions on the label as application rates do vary across turfgrasses.

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14. Dr. Earth Fiskars Machete

The Dr. Earth Fiskars Machete is a natural remedy to kill weeds in your lawn. It is both people and pet safe and is a powerful formula that kills weeds to their roots. This non-selective vegetation killer is a fact-acting organic formula that works best when sprayed during the hottest parts of the day.

Dr. Earth Fiskars Machete definitely worked for me to kill invasive weeds that I had been trying to remove for some time now. One thing I didn’t like is holding and spraying since it a large bottle that feels bulky at times and can bog you down.

On a brighter note, Dr. Earth Fiskars Machete is loaded with several active ingredients including cinnamon oil, clove oil, sesame oil and rosemary oil.

Pros:

Cons:

Weeds Dr. Earth Fiskars Machete Kills

Dr. Earth Fiskars Machete kills all types of grasses and broadleaf weeds including invasive weeds.

Personal Verdict

If you’re looking for an all-natural solution to free your lawn from weeds and grasses, I can’t recommend Dr. Earth Fiskars Machete enough. It contains all natural ingredients and kills unwanted vegetation to the root. My only caveat is that it’s a bit weird to hold but if you can get past that, you have a clear winner.

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15. BioAdvanced Bermudagrass Control for Lawns

BioAdvanced bills itself as a science-based lawn and garden care company and this is evident in any of their products including the Bermudagrass control for lawns and Lawn and Weed Crabgrass Killer.

I find the two products in this package handy as they are designed for somewhat different purposes – the Bermudagrass control selectively removes all Bermudagrass seeds and weeds and the All-In-One formula kills the listed lawn weeds including crabgrass, both without damaging your lawn.

I’ve had the opportunity to use both products and must say they offer impressive results. The BioAdvanced Bermudagrass Control for lawns works great on several different types of lawn grasses including fescue and Kentucky bluegrass and treats up to 5,000 square feet.

The BioAdvanced All-In-Formula is a highly versatile product that kills over 200 listed broadleaf weeds and features a SmartTrack non-staining red marker that shows treated weeds and fades with sunlight.

Pros:

Cons:

Weeds BioAdvanced Kills

This combo pack by BioAdvanced kills crabgrass as well as several weeds listed on the label.

Personal Verdict

BioAdvanced is a leading name in the weed control segment for several reasons. This combo is a great addition to your lawn care arsenal and saved me some serious cash in buying several other weed killers.

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What Is the Most Powerful Weed Killer?

Glyphosate-based weed killers are regarded as the most powerful weed killers in the market and Ortho GroundClear is a good example.

Ortho GroundClear includes glyphosate as well as pelargonic, making a fast-acting non-selective weed killer. It is ready-to-use with the attached sprayer and kills active weeds within 2 – 10 days.

What Is the Best Weed Killer for Southern Lawns?

Spectracide Weed Stop is the best weed killer for southern lawns as it kills a variety of weeds including crabgrass and other tough weeds that thrive in the heat and will sprawl anywhere they can find sunlight, water, and bare soil.

This formulation is a mix of several different herbicides including 2,4-D, quinclorac, dicamba, and sulfentrazone, which are toxic to weeds but are relatively non-toxic to kids and pests (I’d still keep people, pets and kids away when using any herbicide).

What Is the Best Weed Killer for Northern Lawns?

There are several weeds that are common to northern lawns, for which Ortho B Gon is a top choice. It contains triclopyr, an active ingredient that works well to kill broadleaf weeds.

Ortho Weed B Gon is rainproof within 6 hours so you don’t have to worry about the rain washing away tour efforts.

What Is the Best Homemade Weed Killer for Lawns?

Many people say that baking soda is the best homemade weed killer for lawns but I’d say mixing a gallon of vinegar, a cup of salt and a tablespoon of dish soap makes a potent weed killer. Spray this solution on actively growing weeds and you should see results within 10 days or earlier.

Best Weed Killers That Won’t Kill Grass

By far, the safest way to control weeds without killing grass is by pulling them up. You can also remove broadleaf leaves and some grass weeds using weed eaters, but that is not easy if the lawn has been invaded extensively.

That’s when you resort to using a weed killer. The problem is, you want to kill weeds and not your lawn grass. So, what’s a safe weed killer that won’t kill grass and other good plants in your yard?

Tenacity Weed Killer

This is the best herbicide on the market that will kill weeds in your lawn without killing grass. If you have ornamental grasses in your lawn, don’t worry about killing the plants.

Tenacity is used for controlling many broadleaf weeds such as crabgrass, poison ivy, yellow sorrel, dandelion, clover, ground ivy, thistle, etc. It is safe to use on different types of lawns such as St. Augustine, fescue, Bermuda grass, zoysia, centipede, and many more.

Pro tip: Some people mix Tenacity with soap to make it stick longer and become more effective. Instead of using soap, you can use an inexpensive professional surfactant with this herbicide to spot-treat and kill weeds in your lawn.

Alternative selective weed killers that won’t kill grass include Dicamba, MCPA, Triclopyr, and Carfentrazon-ethyl.

Granular vs Liquid Concentrate Herbicides

DIY weed control options sold at local stores and online come in two general formulations – dry (granular) or liquid concentrates.

• Granular herbicides are the type you apply on your lawn like fertilizer while liquid weed killer is mixed with water and sprayed on the weeds.
• Liquid herbicides must be mixed with water in the right ratio in order to be effective while granular ones are applied without any mixing involved.

Since most weed killers work by sticking to the foliage and then get absorbed into the plant system, fast-acting liquid concentrates are more effective at this because they are sprayed directly onto the plant. On the other hand, granular weed killers need to be applied to wet weeds. You may need to water your lawn before applying granular herbicides.

Pro tip: You’ll get better and faster results if you apply a liquid weed control product on your lawn weeds than when you use granular applications. The product will be absorbed easily and can stick to the plant if you use a surfactant.

Best Clover Weed Killer for Lawns

If you are looking for the best product and ratio to use to kill clover in your lawn then you can’t beat a product called Change Up. Its a pricier product up front but over the long haul it will cost you much less than your typical big box store weed killer.

• 1oz of Change Up Herbicide
• 1tsp of Surfactant
• 1 Gallon of Water
• 1 Hand or Backpack sprayer

Mix up the product in your sprayer and then apply a few hours before rain or running the sprinklers. You’ll notice the clover start turning brown in 3-4 days, depending on how hot it is when you apply it. If you don’t notice any browning, then hit it with another round.

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Alternatively, if you are interested in the benefits of a clover lawn, check my guide on how to grow and care for a clover lawn.

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Buying Guide: What to Consider When Choosing Lawn Herbicide

Not all herbicides are suitable for any type of weeds. Even different landscapes may affect the choice of herbicide you use. For example, rocky areas may use a non-selective weed killer while areas near waterways may require an organic herbicide.

Here are the things to consider when choosing the best weed killer for your lawn:

• Herbicides that won’t kill grass: Selectivity is key if you don’t want to destroy your lawn with rings of death or extensive areas of dead grass. If you have broadleaf weeds all over your lawn, choose a product that won’t kill your lawn grass.
• Type of weeds in your lawn: Start by identifying the weeds you’re dealing with. There are very many species of weeds and choosing a herbicide that targets the specific species is key to getting rid of them.
• Safety for kids and pets: If you have pets and kids hanging out in your lawn, you might want to consider organic options rather than chemical ones that may be harmful to them.
• Location: Different weeds grow in different states. If you’re in Texas, you may not be dealing with the same weeds as someone in Florida. Weather and season also affect the choice of weed killer to buy. Note that some herbicides are not sold in all states across the U.S.
• Coverage: This has to do with the potency of a concentration. Most labels guide on how much lawn the application can cover. First, measure your lawn in order to determine how much of the concentrate you’ll need to buy to control unwanted vegetation in your yard.

Above all, the type of weeds you’re dealing with may dictate different stages of control to get rid of them completely. For example, if you’re not using a systemic weed killer to control perennial weeds, you might want to control them at different stages of development.

Perennial weeds can spread via seeds as well as vegetative parts and are very difficult to kill. For these, use the strongest systemic weed killer to get rid of them.

Annual weeds grow from seed to adult plants that flower and produce seeds within one season (one year). These can be controlled using a pre-emergent and a post-emergent application.

Biennial weeds usually live for two years to complete their life-cycle. You can kill these using a post-emergent herbicide or even by cultivating.

Types of Herbicides

Just before you choose one of the above herbicides, it is important to understand how they work. In general, you’ll find two types of weed killers in your local store or online. These are:

1. Pre-emergents and
2. Post-emergents.

Let’s find out what each of these means and which one you need right now.

Pre-emergents Weed Killer

Pre-emergent weed killers for lawns work by preventing the root development of weeds in your lawn during germination. They work by inhibiting certain enzymes that stimulate root development. Most of these are used to control annual weeds.

You really want to get one of these weed preventers if you usually have a problem of annual weeds such as the following:

• Crabgrass
• Purslane
• Foxtails
• Spurge
• Knotweed
• Barnyardgrass

Timing is Key

The best pre-emergent weed killers can get rid of broadleaf weeds as well as grass weeds. However, remember that crabgrass preventers, as well as other types of pre-emergent herbicides, must be applied at the right time.

For example, crabgrass preventers are applied in early spring (as shown in the guide in the link). If you miss the timing, you’re likely to fail to control the weeds in your lawn.

Just after the application of a pre-emergent, you’ll need to water your lawn, or time well and apply just before it rains – according to the Colorado State University Plant Talk1.

Pre-emergents will not control existing weeds. For that, you’ll need a post-emergent application.

Post-emergent Weed Killer

These are generally weed killers that you apply after the emergence of the weeds themselves. Herbicides can be applied in a spray form or as granular applications.

If you already see weeds in your lawn, what you need right now is a post-emergent herbicide. However, after killing the existing weeds, this type of weed killer, however strong, will not prevent the germination of new weeds from seeds that are already in the soil.

As for the timing, post-emergent weed killers can be applied at any time so long as the weeds are visible.

If your best weed killer is a non-selective post-emergent, it is likely to kill your lawn grass, so be very careful how you choose. Some very strong weed killers like Roundup are known to produce this effect.

Pro tip:
If you intend to use a strong weed killer, use the spot-spray method where you apply only on the existing weed and not on the entire lawn. You may need a good surfactant for this to help the herbicide stick and remain effective.

Spot Treating vs. Spraying To Kill Weeds

Spot-treating and spraying the entire lawn comes down to using liquid concentrates. Lawn herbicides can be divided into selective and non-selective applications.

See my Best Weed Sprayers guide here.

• Selective herbicides: These are weed killer chemicals that are formulated to kill specific types or species of weeds. If you have a selective herbicide, you can spray it in your entire lawn if it is infested with weeds. Most selective products kill broadleaf weeds and not grass weeds.
• Non-selective herbicides: These kill any plants or vegetation they come in contact with. You can buy a non-selective weed killer for your lawn if you don’t know how to identify the weeds you’re dealing with. The problem is, if you apply to your grass, you’ll end up killing the lawn grass you’re trying to grow.

One of the best non-selective herbicides on the market for a long time is Round-up. It is a thorough systemic weed remover, killing plants to the root.

If you intend to use such products on your lawn, ensure that you spot-treat using a sponge or a targeted sprayer, such as the attachment below. This will prevent harming lawn grasses.

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Lawn Weed Prevention

They say prevention is better than cure and this statement certainly holds true when it comes to weeds. There are plenty of ways to prevent weeds in your lawn, most of which relate to adhering to good lawn care practices.

Things such as proper fertilization, maintaining a watering schedule, and mowing at the right height can go a long way in keeping weeds at bay.

If your lawn has a few weeds here and there, you can simply hand-pull them from their roots. But if your lawn is plagued with weeds, it’s important to use the right weed killer to get rid of them.

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FAQs

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My Recommendation

When it comes to buying the best weed killer, you’ll be spoilt for choice given the sea of options available. However, Syngenta Tenacity is my #1 pick as it controls a wide range of weeds including tough weeds and invasive weeds such as crabgrass, yellow foxtail, and ground ivy.

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References

• Colorado State University Plant Talk Extension: Herbicides: Pre-emergent
• National Pesticide Information Center: 2,4-D Fact Sheet
• University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Granular Weed Control Products in Lawns
• United States Environmental Protection Agency: Mesotrione 40% Pesticide Fact Sheet
• Wikipedia: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

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