Best Weed Killer for Lawns: Review of the Top Brands
Publushed by:
RebeccaLast updated:
January 4, 2022WINNER
Scott’s Turf Builder WinterGuard
- Type: Pellets
- Best for: Clover, dandelions
- Lawn size: 14,000 square feet
RUNNER UP
Monterey’s Sedgehammer Turf
- Type: Spray
- Best for: Broadleaf
- Lawn size: 10,000 square feet
BEST BUY
Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed Killer
- Ingredients: Sodium chloride, vinegar, soap
- Best for: All weeds
Nothing ruins the look of a perfectly good lawn like some pesky weeds and if your yard seems to suffer from these intruders you’ve probably tried it all to get rid of them.
The lawn weed killer market is flooded with products, so knowing which ones will actually work can be a godsend.
What is the best weed killer for lawns? The best weed killer is one that suits the weeds that are growing on your lawn, whether it’s a multipurpose or specific kind.
You’ll then need to consider which herbicide suits your lawn size, the ingredient preferences you have, and the type of weed killer you want, whether it’s a pre-emergent herbicide, selective herbicide, or something else.
To help you restore the glory of your grass and get rid of the trespassers, we’ve hand picked the only weed killers you need to about.
These cover it all in budget, ingredients, weed types, and more, making it easy to kill all of the weeds without doing any damage to your precious lawn.
Our Preferences for the Best Lawn Weed Killer
A trusty weed killer can make a world of difference in your yard and let your luscious grass shine through.
We’ve found the best rated herbicides for this very purpose, so check out what makes them such formidable opponents of the weeds on your lawn.
Best Overall: Scott’s Turf Builder WinterGuard
Short summary
Scott’s WinterGuard is part of their Turf Builder range, designed for feed and weeding your lawn. The pellets are scattered during fall to make stronger grass and remove weeds for next spring, and it works as a fertilizer and herbicide in one.
The 14lbs bag will cover 5,000 square feet of grass and it comes in a pellet format that should be spread on damp lawn with a spreading device for the best results.
Scott’s has developed a fertilizer and herbicide in one, making it the safest choice for keeping your lawn healthy and weed free with minimal effort.
Their Turf Builder WinterGuard product is especially helpful in removing dandelions and clovers but works effectively on just about any common weed that’s taken up residence in your garden.
One bag of this covers around 5,000 square feet of grass, and it’s suited to all types of grass for your peace of mind.
The Weedgrip Technology formulated by Scott’s works under the ground and on top of the grass, clearing out the weeds before they even emerge.
For best results, they recommend applying it onto a damp lawn, as this allows the product to spread effectively.
Customers were thrilled to have a two-in-one combination like this that fertilizes their lawns and gets rid of the weed, saving them a lot of time throughout the year.
On the downside, if you have especially stubborn grassy weeds the fertilizer may give them a boost, and it is one of the more expensive options out there.
However, for the long lasting results with just one annual application and how gentle it is on the grass you want to keep, it’s easy to see why Scott’s Turf Builder WinterGuard is our favorite of all.
Quick Facts
- Type: Pellets
- Ingredients: NA
- Best for: Clover, dandelions
- Organic (yes/no): No
- Lawn size: 14,000 square feet
Pros
- Fertilizer and weed killer in one
- Low-effort
- Gentle on the lawn
- Effective on clovers and dandelions
Cons
- Expensive
- Not for every lawn
- Not immediate weed killer
Runner-Up: Monterey’s Sedgehammer Turf Herbicide
Short summary
Gowan’s Sedgehammer is a selective weed killer formulated for nutsedge and other broadleaf weeds, and it’s designed to be gentle on all kinds of grass including Bermuda and St Augustine.
The .5oz bag mixes with one gallon of water to cover around 10,000 square feet of grass, and once it’s dried, pets and people are allowed to step back onto the lawn.
If broadleaf is your main concern but you still want something gentle enough to use on all kinds of turfgrass, the solution is Monetrey’s Sedgehammer Turf Herbicide.
Coming in a .5oz bag that mixes with a gallon of water, it can be sprayed directly onto weeds and the rest of the lawn for almost instant results, leaving the rest of your lawn healthy and green while it attacks only the source of the problem.
This broadleaf herbicide is especially effective against yellow and purple nutsedge but works on all tough broadleaf weeds, and other species as well.
The best thing is that it’s safe for turf grass so you don’t have to worry about doing damage to your lawn, and you can apply it to Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, and more.
Once the liquid has dried, people and pets are free to roam on the grass again, but you’ll still want to take care.
Monterey’s Sedgehammer should be applied when the weeds are actively growing so it may require a few treatments throughout the year.
However, the price per coverage area is relatively cheap, and for those in desperate need of treating the nutsedge in their lawn, it’s worth the effort.
Sedgehammer is gentle on grass but tough on weeds with loads of coverage, so consider adding it to your arsenal.
Quick Facts
- Type: Spray
- Ingredients: Halosulfuron-methyl
- Best for: Broadleaf
- Organic (yes/no): No
- Lawn size: 10,000 square feet
Pros
- Most effective broadleaf killer on the marke
- Easily mixes up into a water solution
- Cheap alternative
- 13.000sq ft coverage
- For all kinds of turfgras
Cons
- Harmfull for pets
- Application every few month
Alternative: Scott’s Turf Builder Weed and Feed
Short summary
Scott’s Weed and Feed from their Turf Builder range is a general purpose fertilizer and herbicide combined. The 14lbs bag covers around 5,000 square feet of grass and can be applied in dry form to a moist lawn.
Weed and Feed can be applied between one to three times a year for the best results and it works best against clovers and dandelions, but all other weeds as well.
Weed and Feed from Scott’s is another of our favorites and a two in one product that helps to grow the lawn as well as rid it of weeds.
The fertilizer content helps to thicken the good grass while the herbicide kills the weeds, effectively overcrowding them and stopping them from growing, so it does two gardening jobs in one.
Using their WeedGrip technology, it targets the weeds underneath and not just on the surface, preventing them from coming out and spreading.
For the best results, Scott’s recommends using Turf Builder Weed and Feed between two to three times a year, so it’s fairly low maintenance.
However, you’ll need some sort of spreader to apply it and each bag covers around 5,000 square feet of lawn, so it should be enough for most homes.
Be sure not to let people or pets onto the grass a few days after applying this and plan ahead so that nobody wants to use the lawn for anything.
Weed and Feed is one of the best defenses against dandelion and clovers, but people report that it works just as well with the other common problems and is known as the best weed killer for southern lawns.
If you want something minimal effort and hope to knock out two gardening jobs with one application, Scott’s Turf Builder Weed and Feed is the way to go.
Quick Facts
- Type: Pellets
- Ingredients: NA
- Best for: Dandelion and clover
- Organic (yes/no): No
- Lawn size: 5,000 square feet
Pros
- Two products in one
- Application once every six months
- It works underneath the ground
- Stops the future spread of weeds
Cons
- After applying wait a few days before people and pets can step onto the grass again
- There are cheaper alternatives
- Effort to apply
Alternative: Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed Killer
Short summary
Doctor Kirchner has developed their Natural Weed Killer as a gentler alternative, formulated with safe ingredients like vinegar, soap, and salt water.
Coming in a large one gallon bottle and sizes ranging up to 2.5 gallons, you’ll get enough to treat your lawn for at least six months.
This natural herbicide provides instant results and should be applied every month or as needed, working effectively against most standard garden weeds.
Doctor Kirchner’s Natural Weed Killer is the best choice for anyone wanting a natural approach to ridding their garden of pesky weeds.
Made with only natural ingredients including salt water, vinegar, and soap, this weed killer gets the job done gently. You’ll also find that your lawn stays healthier as well, thanks to the mild formula.
There are some downsides to taking this natural approach though, including the fact that it’s not as aggressive and carries a higher cost for seemingly simple ingredients which some people believe they could recreate at home.
However, if you want a trusted formula that you can feel safe using and would like your pets and family to play freely on the lawn without a second though, this is the best option out there.
People noted results in just a few hours after applying this which was astonishing to find, but it does need to be applied every month to keep it up.
The one gallon bottle will last for around six months of regular use for most lawns, and it’s the best approach if you want a safe but effective weed killer.
Doctor Kirchner’s Natural Weed Killer is powerful but gentle all in one, and gets our tick of approval.
Quick Facts
- Type: Spray
- Ingredients: Sodium chloride, vinegar, soap
- Best for: All weeds
- Organic (yes/no): Yes
- Lawn size: 5000 square feet
Pros
- Truly natural
- Results within a few hours of applying
- Easy spray bottle
- No risk of damaging existing lawn
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Cheaper to make it at home
- Needs application every month
Alternative: Ortho Nutsedge Killer
Short summary
Ortho’s Nutsedge Killer is a 32 fluid ounce bottle of herbicide designed to kill nutsedge, Kyllinga, and other stubborn weeds. One bottle will cover around 5,000 square feet of lawn and it requires no mixing, just connect your hose and spray it on.
This herbicide suits all grass types including northern and southern turf and kills the weeds but not the surrounding grass.
If broadleaf is your main concern, using a targeted approach like Ortho Nutsedge Killer will get the best results.
This spray bottle of herbicide attaches to your garden hose and is then sprayed onto the lawn, killing off the stubborn weeds that live there but protecting the healthy grass that you want to keep.
The timing of this can be a little tricky as you’ll need to make sure it doesn’t get wet for a few hours following its application.
As one of the harsher herbicides, it’s also not ideal to let the kids and animals play on it for a few days after, so you have to plan it right. However, because it’s all ready to go in a spray bottle, there’s no mess and no missing required.
Ortho’s Nutsedge Killer works safely on northern and southern turf grasses and targets over 50 kinds of common weeds including wild Violet, kyllinga, and dollarweed.
Ortho recommends applying it as needed, with most people getting keeping the weeds at bay if they apply it every six months. Nutsedge Killer is a tough opponent for stubborn weeds but does require some planning to use safely, so consider adding it to your arsenal against these garden intruders.
Quick Facts
- Type: Spray
- Ingredients: N/A
- Best for: Broadleaf
- Organic (yes/no): No
- Lawn size: 5,000 square feet
Pros
- An easy approach to herbicide
- One of the toughest weed killers on the market
- Covers a large amount of lawn with one bottle
- Affordable
- For northern and southern turfgrasses
Cons
- You’ll need to wait a day or so before stepping onto the lawn after spraying
- Take care not to spray this when rain is near as it needs a few hours to dry before it can be wet.
- Properties without access to a garden hose to reach their entire yard won’t be able to spray this everywhere.
Lawn Weed Killer FAQs
Using a lawn weed killer is the simple solution to getting rid of these pesky plants, but it’s not as simple as choosing any product and spraying it on.
To ensure you have all the basics about weed killer before starting the job, check out these FAQs and our expert answers that’ll teach you what you need to know.
What Are The Most Common Weeds Found In US Lawns?
The most common weeds in North America are crabgrass, dandelions, moss, bindweed, white clover, nutsedge, and quack grass, but there are over 50 types considered to be common as well.
However, their presence depends on the season and location, so each yard may experience something different.
When Should I Put Weed Killer On My Lawn?
Most experts recommend applying weed killer either in the early morning, both for effectiveness and to reduce the hazard to bees and friendly insects.
You should avoid spraying it directly after rain or watering as well, as this will reduce the effectiveness of the herbicide.
How Often Should I Apply Weed Killer For Lawns?
Depending on the product you’re using, a weed killer is recommended for application just twice a year, but you should always check the label of the herbicide you have.
Usually, the first application of lawn weed killer should be followed up by a second shortly after, and then left for the remainder of the year.
What Are Some Natural Lawn Weed Killers?
If you want to try some home methods for getting rid of weeds, options like vinegar, boiling water, salt, and cornmeal gluten can help.
Although natural, there’s still the potential to use these ingredients incorrectly and potentially harm the health of your grass, so you have to be careful when applying them.
A Weed Free and Happy Lawn
If your lawn suffers at the hands of weeds and you want an easy way to be rid of them, a dedicated weed killer is the way to go.
With so many products available to choose from, finding one from our list will narrow it down to the best, so you’ll have a quick fix for your weedy lawn.
Scott’s Turf Builder WinterGuard
- Type: Pellets
- Best for: Clover, dandelions
- Lawn size: 14,000 square feet
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Rebecca
Rebecca Vargas is an experienced gardener and landscaper and has been rendering professional services for many years. Her services cover both private homes and commercial properties. Leveraging that rich experience, Rebecca Vargas now dedicates a chunk of time to show just about anyone how to maintain their garden and yard, whether at home or workplace. GreenIQ is his way of reaching and teaching millions of homeowners across the globe about proper gardening and lawn care practices.