Most Effective Weed Killer for Lawns: 2020 Reviews (Best Picks) and Guide

Did you know that beautiful lawns increase property value? Lawns enhance the quality of life. Did you know that gardens offer excellent soil erosion control and generate oxygen for improved air quality? Quite impressive and appealing but unfortunately, weeds are one of the significant factors that fight the beauty of the lawn.

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Lawns around our houses, recreational center, offices, apartments and so on are not left out. This article was primarily written to inform you about weeds that corrupt the beauty of your lawns. This post will also enlighten you on the most effective weed killer for lawns. It is crucial to know what products can kill those weeds and not your lawn grasses.

You need to know the types of weed you are dealing with as well as how they grow. As far as this post is concerned, it will aid you in controlling weeds. Not just that it will also give you insights in protecting your lawn. Do read on to know more.

Factors to Look out for When Buying Weed Killer

It is vital to understand what you want to kill before you start. Weeds in their purest form are unwanted plants or shrubs. They compete with your grasses and flowers in your lawn area for water, land, and sunlight. Another thing they do is make your lawn area look disorderly and messy.

You should also note that they spread very fast. For the reasons earlier given, you should not handle weeds with kid gloves. Now, there are two types of weed killers, they are:

• Pre-emergent weed killer: this killer prevents weeds from germinating. It kills the seedlings before they grow.
• Post-emergent weed killer: is a type of weed killer that target weeds that have already sprouted above the soil.

However, based on the way weed killers work, they are further classified:

• Contact weed killer: kills only the weeds that encounter it. These are very common, and you will see the result within hours as the weeds begin to wilt. Contact weedkillers are great for dealing with annual plants, which spread via seeds.

You may be tempted to ask why. The reason is that the seeds are above the soil meaning, you can directly spray that area. Common yearly weeds include bindweed, crabgrass, mallow, and nettle.

• Systematic weed killer: when the foliage absorbs the systematic weed killer, it travels through the weed to the root system. They prevent the plant weeds from growing and inhibit its ability to produce food from sunlight. You can see the result between 1 to 3 weeks of application. Systemic weed killers are suitable for perennial weeds that spread via seeds and roots.

This herbicide will kill what is also below the soil. Common perennial plants include; bindweed, poison ivy, thistle, ragweed, and dandelion. [1]

How to Get Rid of Weeds on Lawns without Chemicals

Aside from chemicals, there are other ways to get rid of unwanted plants. Some of these chemicals used are not safe; they kill both your plants and the weeds. If you need a more affordable, reliable, and secure way to kill weeds on your lawn, please read on.

1. Kill your Unwanted Weeds with Newspapers:

Newspapers work wonders, do not underestimate them. It is interesting to know that they are readily available at a little or no cost. Using paper as a way to kill grasses naturally is easy, and you can use them for small and large garden areas. It decomposes, adding nutrients to the soil.

To start, mow the field where you want to kill unwanted grasses. The mowing allows the newspaper to lay flat and close to the green pastures. Wet the area and place thick layers of the paper (about 8 to 10 sheets) over the green. Let the papers overlap in different directions.

You can continue wetting the area to prevent the paper from being blown away. Soaking the paper beforehand is another option. However, newspapers may be challenging to work with because they are prone to tearing. Once you are done covering the area, add mulch or landscape fabric to the covered area. [2]

Plants need light to manufacture food and grow. Covering the grasses is a way of restricting them from the process of photosynthesis. Therefore, because no light will penetrate the area, the grasses will eventually smother and die.

2. Kill your Unwanted Plant with Plastic:

Using plastic to kill unwanted weeds is another option. Plastic is affordable and available in every home and garden. The process of applying plastic to kill the weeds is simple. First, mow the lawn or area you chose – it is often helpful to mow first.

You may till and then rake the area smooth. Cover the area with black plastic. Unlike clear plastic, black plastic blocks out light, smother grassroots and prevents new growths.

Secure the plastics with large rocks and allow them to remain covered for a couple of weeks or longer. Besides, you can add mulch to secure it further. You can cut holes in the plastic where you want something planted. After removing the plastic cover, you will discover that the grasses have all died.

Alternatively, you can use landscape fabric instead of the plastic – it will work the same magic.

3. Manual Control:

Manual control is the use of the hands or handheld tools to deal with weeds. An advantage of manual control is that it minimizes soil disturbance, and decreases the likelihood of erosion and weed seed germination. Some methods of it are:

Hand pulling:

Hand pulling removes the entire weed and its roots from the soil. This method is useful for small-scale infestations. It is best to hand-pull weeds after the rain when the soil is moist. Wear sturdy gloves to avoid prickles, blisters or sap burns to the skin.

It is not appropriate for all weed species especially those with underground bulbs. You can use hand tools such as broad knives and trowels to remove underground parts of weeds (such as bulbs) that may reshoot. In some cases, it is vital to dig out the crown of the weeds. That requires cutting the growing part of the root beneath the ground using a knife.

Grubbing or Chipping:

This method requires digging out weeds using an ax or chip hoe. Depending on the weed, it may be important to expose the root system, and remove the crown. In some cases, use the mattock or chip hoe to cut the stem of the weed below the ground. This method is useful when the ground is hard and do wear gloves to avoid blisters.

Home Remedies for Killing Weed but Not Grass

Some people say weeds are just plants we do not know their virtues. However, if you are tired of waiting to discover what those virtues are the best thing is to eliminate them. You can use one of these homemade herbicides to do that instead of chemicals. Many common weeds could be food, medicine, or unwanted visitors to the garden.

However, if you need to get rid of weeds, it is better to choose a more environmentally friendly herbicide. Strong chemical herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides can end up polluting drinking water, groundwater, and surface water. Therefore, it is imperative to consider the longer-term effects of using them. So choose instead to use a gentler herbicide that will not contaminate water. [3]

The manual method is the most environmentally friendly way to get rid of weeds. Pull them up, dig out the roots, dry them in the sun, and add them to a compost or mulch pile. This method is time-consuming and stressful. Therefore, if you need a quicker way to get rid of weeds effectively, these homemade herbicides will go a long way.

Soak the weed with steaming water:

This herbicide is the simplest to prepare. Provided you do not spill boiling water on yourself; it is also the least harmful to both people and the environment. Bring a big pot of dihydrogen monoxide (that is a fancy way of saying water) to boil on your stove. Now pour boiling water over the leaves and stems of the weeds you wish to remove.

The boiling water method is very useful in killing plants in places such as sidewalk or driveway cracks, or over a larger area. This method is helpful if you like to replant after the weeds are gone. The water does not leave any residue or have any harmful long-term effects. As with all of these homemade herbicides, it is essential to apply it only on the plants you wish to kill.

Turn the heat up on them:

Using this method will cause the plants to wilt immediately. You can repeat the process to kill any shoot that may re-sprout from the roots. You can get a flame-weeder tool in stores or online. The device will allow you to apply flame directly to the weeds without setting the whole neighborhood ablaze.

In fire-prone areas, you need to take extra precaution before weeding with flame. In those areas, dried weeds and grasses can quickly catch fire leading to a major disaster.

Salt them up:

Comom salt which is Sodium chloride in science is an effective herbicide. It has some historical notoriety for possibly using it to destroy the soils of conquered peoples. The term, “salting the fields” – prevent plants from growing there. Because salt has a detrimental effect on the land, it is essential to apply it directly only to the leaves of the weeds.

Do not let the salt soak the ground, mainly your lawn with other more desirable plants. To use this method, first dissolve 1 part salt in 8 parts hot water (it can be made stronger, up to 1 part salt to 3 parts water). You can add a little quantity of liquid dishwashing soap. The soap will help it adhere to the leaf surfaces. Pour the liquid solution into a spray bottle.

Now cover or tie back any nearby plants you do not want to kill. After, spray the leaves of the weeds with the solution. Be careful not to soak the soil. Please keep the mixture away from cement sidewalks or driveways (it may discolor them). For best result, multiple applications may be necessary.

Pickle them with vinegar:

It is not precisely pickling, but by applying this standard household item, white vinegar to weed leaves, they will die off. The weeds will die and make room in your yard for more desirable plants. White vinegar contains about 5 percent acetic acid, which is usually strong enough for most weeds.

Although a more industrial strength version (up to 20 percent acetic acid, which can be harmful to skin, eyes, or lungs) is available in many garden supply stores. You should apply the vinegar by spraying full strength onto the leaves of the weeds, being careful not to overspray on lawn or plants.

It may be necessary for you to repeat this application for effectiveness. You can also add small quantity liquid dish detergent for extra power.

Season them like chips:

Another familiar homemade herbicide recipe calls for combining table salt or rock salt with white vinegar.

Top 5 Effective Weed Killers for Lawns

Weeds are irritating vegetations that are present everywhere. They grow fast and compete with plants for all the nourishment and resources. Manual weeding renders temporary solution but can be very tedious.

However, with the application of chemicals, you can do more weeding without sweating. We have reviewed the most effective weed killers available for purchase. Here are the chemicals:

Product Name	Features
Southern Ag 2, 4-D Amine Weed Killer	- Low economic use rate - 46.3% Dimethylamine salt & 53.7% of other chemicals
Roundup Pro Weed Killer Concentrate, 2.5 Gal	- For small-scale business people - Low volatility and binds tightly to soil
Roundup 5101910 Extended Control Weed and Grass Killer	-1.10-Gallon - With Ready-to-Use Comfort Wand Sprayer
Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer	- 41-Percent Glyphosate, 2.5-Gallon - Result shows with 2 to 4 days
Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Super Concentrate	- Economical & effective for large areas - 1-Gallon

Southern Ag 2, 4-D Amine Weed Killer Selective Broadleaf Weed Control, 32oz – 1 Quart

The Southern Ag 2 weed killer has low economic use rate of 1 to 4 pints per acre. It is a selective broadleaf weed & woody plants killer. You can use it on lawns, parks, golf courses, cemeteries, pastures, and rangelands.

It contains 46.3% Dimethylamine salt of the 2,4-D-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 53.7% of other chemicals. Are you dreaming of a beautiful lawn today? If yes, click here to order this product from Amazon:

Roundup Pro Weed Killer Concentrate, 2.5 Gal

Roundup Pro Concentrate is a post-emergent, systemic herbicide with no residual soil activity. It kills the roots of weeds and gives wide-range control of many annual and perennial weeds, woody bushes and trees. You can dissolve it in water because it is a water-soluble liquid. You can apply it to weeds through standard equipment. To prevent evaporation before absorption, use this product during Summer months.

Experts recommend this product for small-scale business people. You can also use it for industrial, turf and ornamental weed control activities. You can use 2.5 Gallon of Roundup Pro to treat about 435,600 sq. Ft – that is a massive project!

The active ingredient, glyphosate, has favorable environmental characteristics such as low volatility and binds tightly to soil.

Do you have a tremendous job on your hands? Click here to order this product on Amazon:

Roundup 5101910 Extended Control Weed and Grass Killer Plus Weed Preventer II Ready-to-Use Comfort Wand Sprayer, 1.10-Gallon (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

This Roundup extended control herbicide is a dual-action formula. It exterminates existing weeds and prevents the growth of new ones for up to 4 months. It eradicates weeds to the roots. You can use this herbicide edge of lawns, fences, driveways, curbs, retaining walls, foundations, gravel areas and decorative rock areas.

It becomes rainproof in 10 minutes, and the result is visible within 3 hours of application. It comes with a discharge pump for seamless spraying. Customer Guarantee is also available for customers who are not satisfied with the product.

Use on driveways, sidewalks, and patios; along fences, foundations, curbs, retaining walls and the edge of lawns, as well as on decorative rock or gravel areas.

If you want an extended control over unwanted plants in your special areas, get the product on Amazon here:

Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer, 41-Percent Glyphosate, 2.5-Gallon

Compare-N-Save permeates the roots of grasses and weeds to kill them. You can use it on walkways, lawns, gardens, patios, in and around fences to exterminate grass and weeds. To treat over 630,000 sq. Ft. of field, use 2.5 gals. Of the container.

Furthermore, it becomes rainproof in 2 hours, and the result will show with 2 to 4 days. It contains 41 percent glyphosate, which is a post-emergent herbicide. It hinders the growth or new or future weed. The content does not give room for residual activities, meaning that you can replant the treated area within a short while.

It is so powerful that it eliminates all annual and perennial weeds, grasses and unwanted plants. If you need an economical way of plant extermination, do not look away from this product. Get it on Amazon here:

Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Super Concentrate, 1-Gallon

Roundup Weed and Grass killer exterminates the toughest of weeds and grasses. Using this killer is economical and effective in dealing with large areas of unwanted plants. This super weed controller has a solution to widespread weed problems. It kills weeds and grasses to the root. Once absorbed through the leaves, it goes straight to the plants’ roots to terminate the weeds.

You can use it to treat the surroundings of trees, shrubs, flowers, driveways, walkways, patios, mulch beds, gravel areas, along fences and so on. It is super powerful for large regions and becomes rainproof in 30 minutes. In 2 to 4 days weeds and grasses begin to turn yellow and wilt.

The product is perfect for large areas and projects. Importantly, it is an economical way of getting rid of weeds, grasses, and unwanted plants. It comes with customer satisfaction guarantee.

Buy this product from Amazon here:

Crabgrass Preventer Vs. Weed Killer

Crabgrass Preventer	Weed killer
They prevent weeds from sprouting in the first place.	They do not prevent weeds; they kill existing weeds.
They are herbicides, either "pre-emergent" or weed preventer products	Post-emergent or weed killer products
It is an agent that dissolves and form coating on the surface of the soil. Any seed that tries to sprout and push a root through the barrier dies	When applied at the proper time it causes weeds to die from the shock of trying to grow faster than necessary.
The best way to time your crabgrass preventer application is to monitor a forsythia bush that is growing in your yard or neighborhood. Apply the preventer before the flowers have completely fallen off.	If applied too early, in a season (when nighttime temperature is below 50 degrees), they will not kill the weed.
Raking takes place before applying crabgrass preventer	Weed killer is absorbed only through the leaves of the weeds. Any weed killer that does not touch the leaves goes to waste

Frequently Asked Question on Weed Killers

Q: I cannot identify a weed in my lawn, how can I find out what it is?

A: Chances are all lawns will see at least a weed or two in its life. If you are not a greenhorn or local to the area, it can be quite challenging to identify some weeds. If you are in doubt, take a sample of the weed into your local lawn care provider for assistance. They will be able to help with the identification process as well as advice on treatment options.

Q: How long after installing a new lawn can I use a weed killer?

A: It is often best to wait until your new lawn flourishes for three months before applying any product that can be sensitive to a growing lawn. Always use a product specific to the type of weed in the garden.

While waiting for those first three months, you can remove unwanted weeds by hand. When installing a new turf lawn, the turf must arrive, weed free. So contact the supplier if that is not the case.

Q: Weeds are taking over, how do I best get rid of them?

A: If you did not fertilize your lawn in a while, give it a good feed two weeks before spraying for weeds. That might sound strange, but it will ensure the weeds grow high – over the top of the lawn plants. Their height will allow you to see the weeds from the lawn more easily. It will aid the pores of the weeds’ leaves to open for the poison to penetrate adequately.

Q: If I do weed control will my yard be entirely weed free?

A: The answer is an obvious No! However, with weed control, you will get good control of the weeds in your lawn. To have an entirely weed-free lawn is impossible. In getting rid of weeds using, pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control is only one piece of the puzzle.

Cultural controls such as mowing at the appropriate height and the proper time as well as irrigating correctly, adequate nutrition and working on soil structure are all as important. For example, one Crabgrass plant can yield up to 20,000 seeds in a season. That means there are now potentially 20,000 new plants coming from that one plant.

With weed control, your goal is to cut out a large percentage of that, but it would be impossible to control 100 percent of it. Each year though you will be getting lesser and fewer weeds when you combine the proper lawn program with good cultural practices.

Weed control lawn care companies near me

Final Thoughts

Now you have sufficient knowledge of the most effective weed killer for lawns. Furthermore, you now see how your garden can be weed-free even in an organic way. Therefore, it is up to you to act fast – save yourself the stress and resources! We make it our priority to ensure you have a beautiful lawn you can enjoy year-round.

From our 2019 unbiased reviews above, our experts at MorningHomestead’s have given you the needed information to keep your lawn in tip-top shape. The information here is priceless to you as garden owner or real estate professional. Do share this information with other across all social networks below. Like and comment on this post, and we shall respond to any request or query.

Thank you.