Nothing fulfills a lawn or garden lover like perfect grass with blooming flowers. Your days of toiling in the garden have finally paid off and everyone is complimenting you about your garden. But wait, are those weeds? As garden enthusiasts, we know how awful it is when you start noticing a bunch of weeds on your nicely cut grass. And while there are a lot of weed killers on the market, getting the wrong product can be detrimental to your grass.
We took the liberty to help you find the best weed killer on the market. Our review featured 40 different weed killers with each having its specific pros and cons. Of course, this took us a couple of weeks but we enjoyed every step of it. We especially loved the Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Super Concentrate, and for good reasons. This selective concentrate is super-fast and effective. It also works well for large spaces and is safe for other useful plants such as flowers.
In our quest to help you find the right weed killer for your lawn or garden, we also interviewed several industry professionals. They helped us review several features that are essential in every weed killer. These features include price range, active components, safety precautions, effectiveness, ease of use, and package volume among others. Our review kicks off with a comparison table of the 8 products we reviewed, which is then followed by an in-detail review of each product. We also include a buying guide and FAQ to give you all you need to get the right weed killer.
More features: 2.5 oz per gallon of water, rainproof in 30 min
The Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Super Concentrate is one of the most effective weed killers for lawns. This is the product that you ought to get if you are experiencing widespread weed growth in your garden. It gets to work immediately you apply it and becomes rainproof in 30 minutes. But what are some of the features that make the Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Super Concentrate a great buy?
First, this weed killer is ideal for larger spaces. The super concentrate product adds great value and works best if you are looking to treat large areas. This 35-ounce weed killer bottle can work on a 6,900 square feet area while 1-gallon of this can cover an area of about 25,000 square feet.
Using the Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Super Concentrate is also an economical way to kill with your weeds. While you can use other products or equipment to remove weeds from your lawn, most of these are often expensive. For example, buying a weed eater string trimmer line can be out of reach for many people. With this weed killer, however, you get an easy and affordable way to beautify your lawn.
This weed killer is also easy to use and very effective. All you have to do is to add some water to the concentrate according to the guidelines on the label. Mix them and apply it to any weeds that are currently growing in your yard. You will notice that your weeds will start wilting after 2 to 4 days but total kill occurs in one to two weeks after application.
More features: up to 18.000 sq ft coverage area
Are you looking for a quick yet effective weed killer? This is a great product if you want to deal with the troublesome weed that has been growing in your lawn. It is worth noting that the PBI/Gordon 652400 Speed Zone Lawn Weed Killer kills everything it touches. While it is not meant to kill the grass on your lawn, some users have reported that it does.
We know how difficult it is to look for an effective weed killer that will not cause a lot of damage to your grass too. This weed killer did a great job of removing all the notorious weeds. By the second application, all the dandelions, broadleafs and even clovers will either be dead or wilting to death. What’s more, you won’t have to wait for days or even weeks to see results like other weed killers out there. Your weeds will start falling over in 12 hours or less.
If you have a large lawn and are looking for something to help you clear your weeds then this may be it. It can cover an area of 14,000 square feet to 18,000 square feet. It works fast so you should start planning on reseeding your large lawn in about two weeks once you use this product.
It is also advisable that you avoid spraying this weed killer on a windy day. You risk exposing your body to this weed killer once you use it on a windy day. This is not only harmful to your eyes but may also cause harm to your lungs when inhaled. Spraying it on a windy day also risks causing damage to other vegetation that you have taken care of for months.
More features: rainproof in 2 hours, 41% glyphosate, 25.000 sq ft coverage area
Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer 016869 is a great companion if you are looking to finish your weeds in one application. This weed killer is quite versatile too. You can use it to clear your pathways and flower beds of any unwanted weeds. It is also effective in eliminating pesky weeds in and around your flower beds or vegetable garden.
One of the first things that you notice when using this product is just how easy it is to handle it. You will only need to mix about three tablespoons with one gallon of water if you want to carry out some general yard work. Add two more teaspoons to the one gallon of water if you want to do kill tougher weeds. It mixes with water easily so you shouldn’t have a problem with its solubility.
This product can kill even the notorious annual or perennial weeds that give you constant headaches. You can use this 1-gallon weed killer on a 25,000 square feet area coverage, which is good enough even for those with large lawns.
Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer is sprayed to the leaves of the weeds you intend to kill. The main ingredient, Glyphosate, is absorbed on the leaves of the weeds but goes to its root to kill it. That said, you do not have to worry about the treated areas. You can plant fruits and vegetables in as little as 24 hours from treatment with no residual activity.
More features: safe for lawn, rainproof in 1 hour
If you are looking for an effective weed killer that will not harm your grass then you should get the Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns. This product delivers what it promises as it kills more than 250 weeds and gets you results in hours. You can use it on several types of grasses including Zoysiagrass, Buffalo grass, Bermuda Grass, Ryegrass and Bluegrass among others.
Unlike other products on the market, you get immediate results when you use this weed killer. It also takes about one hour for this concentrate to get rainproof, which makes it suitable even in rainy areas. If you are lucky enough to have a large lawn you don’t have to look further. You can get a 32-ounce bottle that can cover up to 16,000 square feet or a 1-gallon option that is enough to cover about 64,000 square feet.
The Ortho WeedClear Weed Killer for Lawns is easy to use and great for spot treatments. You will only have to spray the spaces or plants that you want to treat. It is recommended that you use the Ortho dial and spray or a tank sprayer. Using a comfort wand will help you spray the exact spots that you need treated and is reusable too. For a broadcast application, simply connect it to your garden hose and start spraying your lawn.
More features: 5.800 sq ft coverage area, weed growth prevention
Andersons Pro Turf Barricade is a great pre-emergent weed control that you can use to eliminate any persistent weeds on your lawns. We loved this weed killer as it offers excellent results. It is great for weed control as it prevents the germination of seeds and inhibits the growth of roots in your yard. This product prevents several types of weeds from thriving. These include crabgrass, henbit, barnyard grass, jungle rice, parsley, goosegrass, and poa annua among others.
This granular weed killer is quite versatile too. It is great for use on turfgrass, sod farms, ornamental yards, lawns, and other non-crop farms or landscape areas. For maximum effectiveness, you should apply this weed killer in the early spring or fall when the seeds of the weeds have not germinated yet. However, you need to activate the concentrate with some little water within two weeks after you apply it.
You will also notice how easy it easy to apply this weed killer. Unlike other weed killers, you will not need to mix it with any water during the time of application. All you have to do to get the perfect results is to follow the recommended rate and guidelines and sprinkle some water a few days after application. This weed killer is also safe for most plants and is less likely to hurt your plants or fruit trees. It is also safe for Astroturf including lawns, athletic fields, and even golf courses.
More features: fits for big areas and spot spraying
The Southern Ag CROSSBOW32 Weed & Brush Killer is your go-to solution if you have a large area filled with notorious weeds. It is very effective against the deadly Creeping Charlie/Ground ivy and other invasive weeds in your lawn. This product kills annual and perennial weeds on rangeland, industrial sites, walkways, grass pastures, and other non-food crop areas.
Its ingredients were carefully chosen to work effectively over large acres of land. It will surely serve your needs if you are working on a golf course, a park or other non-crop areas. The Southern Ag CROSSBOW32 works well in killing woody plants and broadleaf weeds. Once you spray this herbicide on your turf or pastures, you can rest assured that you won’t have to deal with weeds for months.
Using this liquid weed killer is not rocket science. You will only need to add 2 to 3 tablespoons in 3/5 gallons of water, which is more than enough to cover a 1000 square feet region. Once you fill the spraying tank with the solution, you can spray the solution on the lawn or ditch banks, etc. We recommend that you use a nozzle tank spray to ensure that the liquid weed killer spreads perfectly.
More features: made from corn gluten meal, lawn fertilizer
The Espoma Organic Weed Preventer CGP25 is a little bit different from your normal weed killer. First, it is granulated. This means that you will no longer have to mix this product with water like other weed killers. Furthermore, this product is marketed and sold as a weed preventer as opposed to a weed killer. It does not work the same way as most of the other products we have reviewed.
Applied twice every year, this product will give you several benefits. Not only does this product prevent weeds from sprouting in your lawn but it also offers nutrients to your lawn grass. With this product, your neighbors will be envious of both the lack of weeds in your lawn and the lush green grass.
The Espoma Organic Weed Preventer CGP25 is also one of the best non-toxic weed killers. It features a corn and gluten formation that is a natural bother to dandelions, crabgrass, and other persistent weeds. It is also non-harmful to people and even pets so your kids can play in your lawn immediately after you apply it.
This product may not be the best option for those with large lawns. The 25-pound packet will not be enough for your golf course or athletic field unless you are willing to dig deeper into your pockets. If so, you will get nice green grass with no weeds.
More features: 30-day money-back guarantee, trigger sprayer included
Pets are highly sensitive to harmful chemical solutions. This is why you should get the Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer, one of the most pet-friendly weed killers on the market. This product is comprised of all-natural ingredients and a concentrated formula that promises to eliminate more than 250 weeds and grasses from your lawn.
With this product, you are promised to see the results within the first 24 hours of application. This means that you won’t have to wait a whole two weeks for your product to work only to find out that you have been duped. The Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer gives you fast results.
A lot of products have glyphosate as their main active ingredient, which is harmful to humans and pets. This weed killer, however, is free of any harmful ingredients such as glyphosate. It is not only safe for people and pets but also safe for the environment.
This is also a great choice if you want a versatile product. You can use the Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer anywhere that you wish to eliminate weeds. You can spray it on your flower beds, mulch beds, patio, pathways, wells, pool areas, and even grave areas. We recommend that you use it on a calm but sunny day when you do not expect any rainfall.
Once you set out to find the best weed killer on the market, you should know exactly what you are looking for in a product. Some products only target certain types of weeds while others are only effective under certain weather conditions. That said, you need to consider some key factors when looking for the perfect weed killer for your lawn. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind before pulling out your credit card to try out a different weed killer.
Having a beautiful lawn offers many benefits. It improves the aesthetics of your houselands, you can get to plant some trees or flowers and you have a quiet space to enjoy a peaceful night. Maintaining such a beautiful lawn is, however, not a walk in the park. It will demand both time and effort from you. So, why should you use a weed killer?
Weeds are part of the gardening lifestyle. It is almost impossible to find a lawn that is weed-free at all times of the year. That said, you should know the type of weeds that you are dealing with. This will not only help you control the infestation but also find the perfect weed killer for your lawn. Here are the main types of weed.
How you use weed killers will largely be determined by the size of your lawn. You should use a spray bottle after diluting the weed killer concentrate with water if you want to treat a small spot in your lawn. We, however, recommend that you get a spray tank if you have a larger area to treat. Some weed killers such as the Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer come with trigger sprays to make the application easier.
One application is often enough in most cases. It is imperative that you avoid over-applying the herbicide even if it is considered non-toxic to your lawn. Too much weed killer can be harmful to your grass and other vegetation in your lawn or garden. Also, be considerate of the weather conditions during application. You should not apply the weed killer in the hot weather as dry grass is easily damaged by herbicides. Avoid applying the chemical on a rainy day too. Most products tell you how long it takes for them to be rainproof and if it rains within this time then
Like buying other lawn products, you should not just buy the first product that you get. You should take some time to understand if it will work best for your lawn and if it meets your other needs such as budget etc. These are some of the factors that you ought to keep in mind when buying the best weed killer.
Everyone has some sort of a budget when looking to buy a product. Money may not be a problem but you must understand the standard price range of a weed killer. That said, this does not mean that you should rush to get the most expensive product on the market. Price only comes in after you have reviewed all other things that you want in a weed killer. We suggest that you list down your needs and compare them with the features of the products you are interested in. This will then allow you to carry out a cost-benefit analysis. However, if you are on a tight budget then you can check out the Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer 016869. This value pick works effectively and is great for larger areas too.
You may have noticed that there are different types of weed killers. There are pre-emergent weed killers such as the Espoma Organic Weed Preventer CGP25 and The Andersons Pro Turf Barricade. These weed killers are applied beforehand to prevent the weed from sprouting in the first place. Post-emergent weed killers, on the other hand, will target the weed killers that have already germinated.
There are also contact and systemic weed killers. Systemic weed killers are absorbed the leaves of a plant and travel to the root to kill the plant. It may take one to three weeks for you to start seeing results but they are quite effective. These types of weed killers are great for perennial weeds such as poison ivy, bindweed, ragweed, and even dandelions.
As the name suggests, contact weed killers will kill the weed as soon as it comes into contact with it. These weed killers are great for annual weeds such as crabgrass, mallow, bindweed, and nettle among others. They also work well for weeds that spread through seeds as they can kill the seeds when they come into contact with it. One thing that you might like about contact weed killers is that they only damage a small portion of plants if they accidentally fall on other plants. Unlike systemic weed killers that would kill the whole plant.
You ought to first determine the area coverage that you intend to apply the weed killer on. Large lawns will have different quantity and quality needs from smaller lawns. If you are looking to eliminate weeds from a small area in your garden then you should opt for a ready to use formula that has already been mixed. On the other hand, a concentrated formula weed killer such as the Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Super Concentrate will work best if you wish to treat a lot of weeds in a large area. It is worth noting that the size of the package does not determine the area to be covered. Some weed killers are concentrated and only a little of it may work in a large area. Others may be diluted and use a large quantity of chemicals to cover a small area.
Are you growing flowers or fruit trees that you want to keep? If yes, you need to make sure that you choose a weed killer that has the appropriate selectivity. In a nutshell, selective weed killers will only cause damage to the weeds in your lawn without killing any useful plants. They are suitable for flower beds, vegetable gardens or to kill dandelions in your lawn without harming the grass. You should always read the instructions on the packaging as some selective weed killers can still harm your grass.
Non-selective weed killers tend to destroy every plant that they are applied to without bias. These can work great for your patio, driveway or paving stones.
The active components of a weed killer can tell you a lot of things. It can tell you whether the weed killer is selective or not. It also lets you know the impact of the product on other plants or human life. Glyphosate is an active ingredient in many weed killer products such as Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer 016869. While this active ingredient is extremely effective at killing plants, it is harmful to other plants and to the environment.
If you want to use the weed killer in your garden then you should choose one that lacks harmful chemicals. You can get one with natural ingredients such as the Espoma Organic Weed Preventer CGP25 or the Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer.
Are you looking to treat a spot or the whole lawn? Weed killers like PBI/Gordon 652400 Speed Zone Lawn Weed Killer are great for spot testing. All you have to do is to spray the spot that you want to treat using the tools that you have. Common package quantities include the 32-ounce, 128-ounce and 1-gallon. The PBI/Gordon 652400 Speed Zone Lawn Weed Killer and Southern Ag CROSSBOW32 Weed & Brush Killer are great if you want a small capacity package with each bottle measuring 20 and 32-ounce respectively. If you are looking for a larger package volume then you can try the Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer. It has a 1-gallon bottle capacity.
Not all weed killers are liquid or concentrated solutions. Granular weed killers like The Andersons Pro Turf Barricade or the Espoma Organic Weed Preventer CGP25 are made of solid particles that are applied like fertilizer to your lawn. Most granular weed killers act as pre-emergent weed killers that seek to prevent weed germination. It may be necessary to water your garden/lawn before using a granular weed killer. This is because they ought to be applied to wet weeds.
Liquid herbicides, on the other hand, are mixed with water to form an effective weed killing solution. The spray gets into the plant through its foliage and travels to the root to kill the plant. They are also more effective and give faster results since they are easily absorbed. Most of the products we reviewed were liquid weed killers except for the two stated above.
Some weed killers feature toxic active ingredients and the last thing you may want is to apply it in the wrong way. Since you are dealing with a sensitive chemical, you need a product with clear user instructions. You need clear instructions about the mixing ratios. A significant number of products are liquid concentrate that should be mixed with water. A good product should help you know how much water you need and the specific coverage area that the solution can cover. It should also give instructions on how to apply it and any precautions to take such as knowing the right weather conditions. The Southern Ag CROSSBOW32 Weed & Brush Killer gives clear instructions that help the user apply it properly.
The ease of use is another important factor to consider before you get a weed killer. Avoid purchasing any product that has a complicated procedure when it comes to mixing and applying the solution. You mustn’t have a difficult time when preparing it and during application. This will help save time while also enhancing your safety and that of your lawn grass.
You don’t want to get a product that is not effective at killing weeds. To ensure maximum effectiveness, you should first know the weed you are trying to control. This will ensure that you find the perfect weed killer that can effectively deal with it. Once you know the type of weed that is giving you sleepless nights, you can find an active ingredient that will kill it. For example, the Southern Ag CROSSBOW32 Weed & Brush Killer is known to be particularly effective with creeping Charlie. And while this makes it the best weed killer for Creeping Charlie, it won’t be effective on all weeds. Luckily, most weed killers will list the number and types of weeds that they can kill.
Most weed killers are made for plants but you still have to exercise extreme caution when using them. They can cause irritation on the eyes or the skin if they land on your skin. They can also cause illnesses when ingested. With that said, it is important that you make use of protective equipment when preparing or even applying the product. It is also prudent to keep your children or pets away when applying the weed killer and only allow them when safe. Most manufacturers will indicate what length of time is necessary before your children can start playing on the lawn.
Organic weed killers such as Espoma Organic Weed Preventer CGP25 go the extra mile to prevent any harm to the environment too. These are a great option if you want to conserve the environment while getting rid of your weeds. It is, however, worth noting that organic weed killers are not as effective and you may have to dig deeper into your pockets.
As a rule of thumb, you should not apply weed killers during high heat conditions as the chemicals may end up damaging other plants. Most products recommend that you should not use these chemicals when the temperatures are above 85°F. That said, you should always read the instructions on the bottle before using the weed killer.
As much as we loved using each of these products, we still have to pick our top products. In first place is the Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Super Concentrate. This systemic weed killer is super effective, easy to use and ideal for large spaces. It will also kill all your weeds without harming the flowers on your lawn. We also love that it is quite affordable and gets rainproof in less than 30 minutes.
The PBI/Gordon 652400 Speed Zone Lawn Weed Killer comes in second. It is a fast yet effective weed killer that will eliminate all the notorious weeds from your lawn. It can cover up to 18,000 square feet and one application of this product is enough to take care of your large lawn for weeks.
Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer 016869 is a great choice if you are looking for the best weed killer without breaking the bank. This weed killer uses Glyphosate, a powerful ingredient to kill all your weeds permanently. It is also easy to use, safe for other plants and highly soluble.
