If you’re looking for an easy way to fertilize your grass and get rid of stubborn, hard-to-kill weeds at the same time, you need the best weed and feed for lawns, fertilizer and weed killer in one.
Using a single product is simple and it saves you time and money. But how do you know if a weed and feed is right for your lawn? Let’s take a look at the benefits and some of the best products out there.
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Weed and Feed vs. Fertilizer
Weed and feed products are a combination of weed killer and fertilizer. They’re usually granular because the slow-release of a granular formula is important for feeding your lawn long term. That said, there are liquid spray options available.
Most weed and feed fertilizers are meant to be spread over your entire lawn in late spring. This feeds the lawn before its growth accelerates in the summer and kills broadleaf weeds like dandelions.
Not all weed and feed products are formulated to kill grassy weeds but some are. The type of weed and feed that’s right for your yard depends on what kind of grass you have and the type of weeds you’re dealing with.
Fertilizers do not kill weeds, they only feed your lawn. There are a lot of different types of lawn fertilizers out there, including liquid or granular as well as chemical-based or organic.
When you only use fertilizer on your lawn, you’re not doing anything to proactively take care of weeds. If weeds do pop up, you’ll have to use a spot application of weed killer or pull the weeds to get rid of them.
If you have a lot of weeds and a hard time keeping them under control, a weed and feed might be just what you need to make your life easier and your yard better. A single application lasts for weeks, continuing to work throughout the summer.
Does Your Lawn Need Weed and Feed?
If your lawn isn’t exceptionally healthy and you need something that will help it grow stronger, faster, and greener and you have a problem with weeds, a weed and feed formula is beneficial if used in the right way.
Weed and feed is meant to be applied to your entire lawn. If there’s a part of your lawn that doesn’t need fertilizer or everything looks good except for one area with a lot of weeds, you might want to consider a product specific to the problem.
But, if a large part of your lawn needs both fertilizer and weed killer, using the best weed and feed suited to your lawn can be very beneficial.
The 10 Best Weed and Feed For Lawns Care
There is a lot of great weed and feed products out there. We found ten of the best products to help you pick the one that’s right for you.
Scotts is one of the best-known brands in the industry and their Weed and Feed product is a great example of why. It offers exceptional control of clover and dandelions and the Weedgrip technology gets rid of both the weeds you see and the ones you don’t.
This formula thickens and feeds your lawn, making it denser, stronger, and greener. Overall, you get a better-looking yard that’s a lot easier to maintain because you have fewer weeds to worry about. Plus, it stands up to drought and heat better.
Application is simple. It’s a granular formula that can be applied with a broadcast, drop, or rotary spreader. Two sizes are available. Choose from 5,000 or 15,000 square foot coverage. Plus, it comes with a satisfaction guarantee. For best results, apply to a wet lawn then avoid rain and watering for 24 hours after application.
2. Spectracide 96262 Weed & Feed
If you prefer an easy-to-use spray, this product from Spectracide is worth checking out. The dual-action formula kills common broadleaf weeds, including dandelion, clover, mallow, and knotweed. It’s also effective against poison ivy and poison oak.
One of the best things about this one is there’s no complicated mixing.
Just connect the integrated nozzle to your garden hose and use the QuickFlip switch to apply. For best results, water your lawn a day or two before applying then avoid watering for 24 hours after.
The 20 percent nitrogen formula feeds your grass at the same time, resulting in a stronger, greener lawn. One bottle treats up to 7,500 square feet. You can also buy a pack of six if you prefer to buy in bulk or have a lot of ground to cover.
3. Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action
Scotts has a lot of great lawn products but what makes this one stand out is the triple action formula. It kills broadleaf weeds, prevents crabgrass, and feeds your lawn in one simple step. It’s meant especially for northern grasses like Fine Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Bermudagrass.
To apply, use the Scotts My Lawn app to determine how much you need for your lawn. Pour the granules into a spreader and use the product label to adjust the settings. Apply to wet grass then wait 24 hours before watering for the best results.
There are two size options available to treat 4,000 and 10,000 square feet. Follow the detailed instructions on the bag to get the best results. If you’re not satisfied or don’t get the results you were hoping for, don’t worry. Scotts offers a money-back satisfaction guarantee.
4. Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed
This special weed and feed formula from Scott is meant especially for southern lawns. It’s recommended for grasses that are commonly used for lawns in the Carolinas, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, Florida, and Georgia.
Apply to zoysia, St. Augustine grass, centipede, and carpet grass when both the weeds and grass are actively growing. Bonus S is formulated to kill weeds like dollarweed and clover. It also feeds your lawn for strong, deep roots that withstand heat and drought.
Two sizes are available so you can order enough to cover 5,000 or 10,000 square feet. Add the pink granules to a Scotts broadcast, drop, or rotary spreader using the rates printed on the bag. This product is covered by Scotts No-Quibble guarantee. If you aren’t happy, they’ll give you your money back.
5. Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass Plus Weed Preventer
Are you looking for a product for new grass? Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food helps your lawn get off to a good start. It gives your grass the nutrients it needs to thrive and takes care of pesky weeds at the same time. Most of these products are not recommended for new growth so this might just be the product you need for your new lawn.
New lawns treated with this formula experience faster growth in the blade and root, growing 75 percent thicker and 35 percent faster than unfed grass. It works with any type of grass and is perfect for new planting, reseeding, sod, plugs, or sprigs.
Application is easy. Check the back of the bag for spreader settings and follow the color-coded directions for the best results. Although this product doesn’t have to be watered in to be effective, watering is critical to new lawns. You should water daily to keep the grass moist until the blades reach about two inches high.
6. GreenView Weed & Feed
GreenView’s formula is a great choice if you want a long-acting, slow-release product. It’s designed to not only kill over 250 types of weeds but also to feed your lawn for up to eight weeks. (Please note that this product is not meant for use on St Augustine grass, carpet grass, or dichondra).
This formula restores nutrients and won’t burn the lawn. Apply when the grass is wet so the granules stick then avoid watering and rain for 24 hours. Your grass grows greener and stronger and is more able to resist heat and drought. Plus, there are no phosphates so it’s safe for groundwater.
There are detailed application instructions on the bag of the bag. Multiple sizes are available, too. Choose from 2,500, 5,000, and 15,000 square feet of coverage depending on how big your lawn is.
7. Preen 2164169 One Lawn Care Weed & Feed
Preen’s weed and feed formula acts as a pre-emergent herbicide. It can prevent weeds from growing in the first place or treat crabgrass up to four weeks after it emerges. Plus, it’s effective against dandelions and up to 250 other tough-to-kill weeds.
There are three sizes available to treat 2,500, 5,000, or 10,000 square feet. To apply, follow the instructions on the back of the bag. There’s detailed information about how much to use, what the spreader settings should be, and the pattern you should use to get the best application.
One application feeds your grass for up to eight weeks thanks to the slow, steady release of nitrogen and should get you through the whole season. There’s no phosphate, either, so it’s safe for groundwater and local waterways.
8. BioAdvanced 100532514 Weed & Feed
Something really great about this weed and feed from BioAdvanced is that you can apply it in spring or early fall. The slow-release formula nourishes your lawn for weeks between applications and kills not only broad grass weeds like clover and dandelion but also crabgrass and other grassy weeds.
This formula encourages strong root growth which makes your lawn more resistant to drought and heat. It uses proprietary technology that unlocks nutrients in the soil to provide a boost right where the roots need it most.
You can apply this weed and seed to northern grasses using any rotary or drop spreader. Make sure to check the package for proper application rate and advice on how to ensure complete coverage. There are two sizes available that cover 5,000 or 10,000 square feet.
9. GreenView 2129268 Fairway Formula Spring Fertilizer Weed & Feed
This weed and feed from GreenView is a professional-grade product that is three lawn treatments in one. It kills more than 200 tough-to-kill weeds, blocks crabgrass, and feeds the grass. Note that this product cannot be used on St. Augustine grass, carpet grass, or dichondra.
The long-acting formula contains 65 percent slow-release nitrogen and feeds your lawn steady over 12 weeks. It also works as a pre-emergent killer for crabgrass but remains effective for up to four weeks after germination.
There are two sizes available, one that covers 5,000 square feet and the other 10,000. Application is easy, just follow the instructions on the bag for either a drop or broadcast spreader. It’s covered by the GreenView Yard Wide Guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, you get your money back.
Here’s a premium product from Pennington that’s fast-acting and slow-feeding. Readily available nitrogen encourages grass to grow lush, green, and quickly while slow-release nitrogen provides extended feeding for as long as three months.
In addition to helping your grass grow, this product also kills more than 250 different weeds, including white clover, plantain, and chickweed. It’s safe for northern and southern grass and contains five percent iron to encourage dark green coloring.
This package covers 5,000 square feet and is resealable so you can keep the remaining product fresh. For best results, apply between April and June. This product is covered by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, too, so if you’re not completely satisfied, they’ll give you your money back.
When is the Best Time to Weed and Feed Lawn?
The best time to apply weed and feed to your lawn is at the end of spring when weeds begin to pop up. If you apply it too early, you won’t get the benefit of the extended-release fertilizer and may even hurt your grass if it’s not in its active growing phase yet.
Most of these products are only meant to be applied once in the spring. If you think you need to apply more, wait until the end of summer so you don’t over-fertilize. There should be at least two months between applications so the chemicals don’t build up in your yard.
Note that this only applies to established lawns. For new growth, you should only apply weed and feed after the lawn reaches about two inches high and has been mowed two or three times.
How to Apply Weed and Feed to My Lawn?
Every weed and feed has very specific application instructions on the packaging and you must follow them carefully. Here are some general guidelines for how to apply weed and feed:
1
Mow and water your lawn one to two days before you’re planning to apply the weed and feed. Mowing the lawn helps ensure even distribution and granular products work best when they stick to the weeds.
2
Choose a day when the temperature is higher than freezing but below 80 degrees F. Extreme temperatures affect your lawn’s tolerance so applying the product during this time could cause damage.
3
Look at the weather forecast and try to time the application during a period when it is not expected to rain. Don’t apply after a heavy rain, either. You want the lawn moist but without puddles or standing water.
4
Set the controls on your spreader. Rotary or drop spreaders are most common. The product that you choose will have very detailed application instructions on the bag that tell you exactly what settings to use.
5
Apply the product using the spreader. Some packaging gives you suggestions as to how to make sure the area is covered evenly. Generally, you should walk back and forth across your lawn allowing for a little bit of overlap.
6
If you get any product on the sidewalk or driveway, sweep it unto your yard with a broom. The idea is to do your best to prevent any granules from washing away and getting into storm drains.
7
If you’re using a spray weed and feed, again, follow the instructions on the package. Attach the bottle to your garden hose and work in a precise pattern so you can be sure you covered the whole yard.
8
Keep children and pets off of the lawn for a few days until the residual product has washed away. This usually means waiting until the first heavy rain or until you water your lawn thoroughly a few times.
Again, make sure you follow the instructions on the back of the product carefully. These weed and feed formulas have very specific instructions including how much product to use and what settings should be used on the spreader.
Because the timing of the application is so important to the effectiveness of the product, a lot of people may think that weed and feed doesn’t work or that it’s too hard on the lawn.
If you apply too early, your grass gets too much fertilizer before it needs it. Grass needs more nutrients when it’s actively growing fastest in the summer. That’s why these formulas are extended-release.
If you apply the product too late in the season and the grass is already brown and the weeds are already established, weed and feed is likely to be ineffective.
As we said, if you applied the product in the spring and feel it’s been ineffective, you have to wait at least two months before you can reapply. To be on the safe side, you should wait a little longer, possibly until the end of the summer.
When to Water After Applying Weed and Feed?
One of the most important things to remember is you don’t want to water your lawn right away after applying weed and feed. Your lawn should have been moist when you applied the product so this shouldn’t be a problem.
Watering your lawn too soon after applying a weed and feed product will wash the product away, causing it to be ineffective.
Check the instructions on the product that you choose to be sure. Each product is different but, generally, you’ll have to wait at least 24 hours before watering your lawn. Some products recommend waiting as long as four days or so.
This is why it is so important to check the weather forecast before you apply your weed and feed. If heavy rain comes the day after application, it will wash away the product. It’s best to find a stretch of about five dry days or so to make sure you can apply the product effectively.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best lawn weed and feed, we think all of the products on our list are great. That said, there are a few that stand out. Which one is right for you really depends on your lawn.
A lot of these products specifically say that they are not for use on southern grass which can be a bit of a pain if that’s where you live. If you live in the Carolinas, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, Florida, and Georgia, we recommend Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed.
Finally, if you have a lot of ground to cover and are looking for a reputable product from a well-known company, check out our top pick, Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed. Scotts is an excellent brand that shows up a few times on our list and this product is highly rated.
My St Augustine grass was real green but started to get brown spots and drying real bad. What would be my best product to use on my lawn to get it back in good condition
Please note that, in the world of weed-n-feed, trees are a broadleaf weed. Applying these products around trees could lead to symptoms ranging from minor leaf distortions to total tree death. Keep these products as far from trees as practical and be very careful to follow label instructions.
My St Augustine grass was real green but started to get brown spots and drying real bad. What would be my best product to use on my lawn to get it back in good condition
Please note that, in the world of weed-n-feed, trees are a broadleaf weed. Applying these products around trees could lead to symptoms ranging from minor leaf distortions to total tree death. Keep these products as far from trees as practical and be very careful to follow label instructions.