Does your beautiful green lawn look more like a patchy, green battlefield invaded by stubborn weeds? You spend hours mowing, watering, and caring for your grass, only to see those unwelcome visitors pop up everywhere. It’s frustrating! Choosing the right lawn spray to fight these invaders can feel like navigating a jungle of confusing labels and chemical names. Should you use a pre-emergent or a post-emergent? Will it harm your pets or the good grass?
These tough decisions can leave your lawn looking worse instead of better. But don’t worry; you do not have to surrender your yard to dandelions and crabgrass. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will explain exactly what you need to know about effective lawn weed sprays.
By the end of this post, you will understand which products work best for your specific yard problems and how to apply them safely. Get ready to reclaim your perfect lawn—let’s dive into the secrets of successful weed control!
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
- 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
- Use Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns Ready-To-Spray to kill weeds down to the root, without harming your lawn (when used as directed); you'll see visible results in hours
- KILLS WEEDS: This lawn weed killer kills over 250 common weeds, including dandelions, clover, poison ivy, chickweed, and dollarweed (see product label for complete weed list)
- LAWN FRIENDLY: It contains three proven ingredients that target common lawn weeds, so it won’t harm your grass (when used as directed)
- RESULTS YOU CAN SEE: Visible results in hours; rainproof in 1 hour upon drying; people and pets may enter the treated area after the spray has dried
- EASY TO USE: To apply, connect your garden hose to the sprayer and set the nozzle to your desired setting
- 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
- Kill crabgrass, dandelion, clover, and other listed common weeds in your lawn with Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Concentrate
- This fast-acting weed control kills listed weeds to the root and gets results with 1 application
- Use this lawn weed killer on grasses including Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, Fescues, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, and Zoysiagrass
- Dilute this weed killer concentrate per label directions and apply using an Ortho Dial N Spray or tank sprayer
- This 32 fl. oz. container of Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Concentrate treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
Your Essential Guide to Buying the Best Lawn Weed Spray
Tired of pesky weeds taking over your beautiful lawn? Buying the right weed spray makes a huge difference. This guide helps you choose the perfect product so you can enjoy a greener, healthier yard.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at what the product promises to do. These features matter most:
- Weed Type Coverage: Does the spray target broadleaf weeds (like dandelions) or grassy weeds (like crabgrass)? Some products handle both. Pick one that matches the weeds you see most often.
- Speed of Action: How fast do you want results? Some sprays start working within hours, while others take days. Fast-acting sprays show visible results quickly.
- Lawn Safety: This is crucial! Ensure the spray is safe for your type of grass (e.g., St. Augustine, Fescue, Bermuda). A “selective” herbicide kills weeds but leaves your lawn unharmed.
- Rainfastness: Check how long the spray needs to dry before rain can wash it away. A rainfast time of one to two hours is usually good.
Important Materials and Ingredients
The active ingredients determine how the spray works. Understanding these helps you choose effective options:
Selective Herbicides
These are usually the best choice for homeowners. They contain chemicals that target the structure of broadleaf weeds, which are different from grass.
- Common Examples: Look for ingredients like 2,4-D, Dicamba, or MCPP. These are powerful weed killers.
Non-Selective Herbicides
These kill almost all plants they touch, including your grass. Use these carefully, only on driveways or areas where you want absolutely nothing to grow.
- Example: Glyphosate is the most famous non-selective ingredient.
Concentrate vs. Ready-to-Use (RTU)
- Ready-to-Use (RTU): These bottles attach directly to your hose or are pre-mixed. They offer high convenience but can be more expensive per ounce.
- Concentrate: You mix this with water in a sprayer. It saves money for large yards but requires careful measuring.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your weed spray depends on a few things:
What Improves Quality?
- Surfactants: Some sprays include a surfactant. This material helps the liquid stick to the waxy surface of the weed leaves, making the spray more effective.
- Season-Specific Formulas: Products made for spring or fall application often work better because weeds are actively growing during those times.
What Reduces Quality?
- Improper Application: If you spray when it is too windy, the product drifts onto desirable plants. Also, applying when temperatures are too high (above 90°F) can stress your lawn and reduce the spray’s effectiveness.
- Old Product: Always check the expiration date. Old chemicals lose their killing power.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the spray affects your overall experience.
Ease of Use
For beginners, RTU sprays with built-in hose connectors are the easiest. They eliminate measuring errors. Experienced gardeners often prefer concentrates for better cost control and flexibility.
When to Apply
Apply weed spray when the air is calm and temperatures are moderate (between 60°F and 85°F). Weeds absorb the chemical best when they are actively growing. Do not mow your lawn 1-2 days before or after spraying for the best results.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Lawn Weed Spray
Q: How soon after spraying can I let my dog or kids back on the lawn?
A: Always check the label, but generally, you must wait until the treated area is completely dry. This is usually about 1 to 4 hours, depending on the product and humidity.
Q: Will this spray hurt my flowers or garden vegetables?
A: If you use a selective herbicide, it should not harm your grass. However, spray drift can damage sensitive flowers and vegetables. Always shield nearby plants when spraying.
Q: Can I mix fertilizer and weed killer together?
A: Some products are sold as combination products. If you are mixing two separate products, check the labels first. Mixing incompatible chemicals can ruin both products or create unsafe fumes.
Q: What is the best time of year to spray for weeds?
A: Early spring, when weeds first emerge, is great. Fall application is also highly effective because perennial weeds store energy in their roots before winter.
Q: My weeds look yellow but not dead. What happened?
A: This usually means the chemical is working! Yellowing is the first sign of weed death. If they stay yellow but don’t wither, you may need a second application after the recommended waiting period.
Q: How often should I apply a lawn weed spray?
A: This depends on the product and your weed pressure. Follow the label, but most homeowners treat weeds 2 to 4 times per season.
Q: Does rain immediately after spraying ruin the treatment?
A: If the label says the product is rainfast after two hours, rain after that time should not wash it away. Rain before the rainfast time will wash the product off, and you will need to reapply.
Q: Are organic weed sprays as effective as chemical ones?
A: Organic sprays (often using ingredients like vinegar or citrus oils) usually work faster but are often non-selective and can sometimes cause burn marks on the grass. Chemical selective sprays offer longer-lasting control for broadleaf weeds.
Q: Should I use a sprayer or a spreader for my lawn treatment?
A: Weed killers are almost always liquids applied with a sprayer (hose-end or backpack). Granular products are usually fertilizers or pre-emergents, not liquid weed killers.
Q: Why do some weeds turn purple after spraying?
A: Certain chemicals, particularly hormone-style herbicides, cause rapid, abnormal cell growth in the weed, leading to twisting, purpling, or curling before the plant dies.