Nothing beats having a lush, green lawn. Unfortunately, lawn upkeep can be quite a time-consuming— and sometimes quite a confusing— task. Plus, who likes pulling weeds anyway?
With the help of the best weed and feed fertilizer, you can spend less time pulling weeds and more time actually enjoying your yard this summer. These time-saving lawn fertilizers don't just keep your grass looking thick and lush; they help kill weeds and prevent them from regrowing.
To help you keep your lawn looking its best, we've highlighted the best weed and feed products of 2021 below. To ensure every lawn is fully accounted for, we've included granular, liquid, all-natural, and Southern formulas.
How do weed and feeds work?
As the name suggests, weed and feed act as both a weed killer and a fertilizer. The 'weed' component of weed and feed is an herbicide that kills pesky weeds and acts as a weed preventer. The 'feed' component is a fertilizer that adds vital nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil and supports plant growth. Together, they make maintaining a healthy green lawn easier than ever.
How do you apply weed and feed?
Application varies depending on the type of product being used. Most fertilizers are granular and can be spread using a hand-held or broadcast spreader. Liquid formulas typically come with a sprayer for easy application. Try your best to spread the product evenly across your lawn and avoid concentrating on certain areas, even if they contain more weeds.
For the best results, apply to damp grass that's between three to five inches tall. Users should water their lawn one day before application and wait at least two days after applying to water again. This allows the product to fully soak into the lawn and be absorbed by the troublesome weeds you're trying to get rid of.
Before purchasing weed and feed, it's crucial to check which variety of grass you have growing on your lawn. Certain products are not compatible with some grass species, most commonly those grown in Southern states, and can cause serious damage to your lawn. If you're unsure of what grass variety you have, test a small patch of your lawn before attempting a full application.
How often should you use weed and feed fertilizer?
As a rule of thumb, weed and feed should be used only two to three times per year. Applications should be made at least two months apart. The first application occurs during spring when weeds first begin to pop up. The next occurs in late summer or early fall to provide your lawn with the nutrients it needs during the colder months ahead.
Every product is a bit different, so users should always check the package for instructions on how to use that particular product to achieve the best results.
Is weed and feed products safe?
In order to effectively kill weeds, most weed and feed products contain strong herbicides made from chemicals that should not be touched or inhaled. To adhere to government regulations, products are safety tested. However, these tests do not show the long-term effects of exposure or how the ingredients impact the surrounding environment.
As the instructions recommend, leave your lawn to rest for at least a full 24 hours after application. It's imperative to keep children and pets off your grass during this time. Do not use weed and feed products near your garden or any other edible plants in your yard.
If you're at all concerned about the potential negative environmental and health effects, try an organic weed and feed product that doesn't contain synthetic chemicals.
The Best Weed and Feed Products of 2021
Scott's Turf Builder Weed and Feed
The new and improved formula of Scott's Turf Builder Weed and Feed is their most powerful weed and feed product yet! It's WeedGrip Technology offers 2x the dandelion and clover control while adding key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil. As a result, users can enjoy a thick, green lawn that's free from pesky weeds.
Use it in the spring to prevent weed growth before it starts and prepare your lawn for a long, hot summer. Just one application helps your grass grow deeper, stronger roots for a fuller, greener appearance. For best results, apply the product to a damp lawn and leave it untouched for at least 24 hours following application.
There's a reason why most fertilizers warn it's not safe for children and pets immediately after applying weed and feed. Most weed and feed contain toxic chemicals that negatively impact both the environment and your family's health.
The Espoma Organic Weed Preventer is different. Instead of the conventional blend of phenoxy herbicides (2,4-D, dicamba, and mecoprop), it's made from pure corn gluten meal, a byproduct of manufacturing corn starch. You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your children and pets can play in your yard immediately following application, and your lawn isn't producing dangerous chemical runoff.
But don't underestimate this all-natural weed and feed! By inhibiting root development in weed seedlings, it's highly effective at preventing lawn weeds like crabgrass and dandelions. Plus, the organic formula contains 8.23% slow-release nitrogen to keep your grass in tip-top shape all year long.
Looking for an all-in-one solution? BioAdvanced's 5-in-1 Weed and Feed Lawn Fertilizer has you covered! The potent formula kills over 200 types of weeds, including hard-to-kill garden weeds like dandelions, white clover, and black medic. Plus, it contains four proven chemicals that kill seedling crabgrass and prevents regrowth for up to 6 months.
In addition to killing weeds, BioAdvanced's lawn fertilizer feeds, greens and strengthens your grass so you can enjoy a lush lawn all summer long. The multi-purpose formula only needs applying three times during the year—once in spring, once in the early summer, and once during fall. It's suitable for use on established lawns of the following grass types: fescue, Bermuda grass, buffalo grass, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, seashore paspalum, and Zoysia grass.
The 3-in-1 formula of Scott's Triple Action Turf Builder streamlines your lawn care routine by fertilizing your grass while killing weeds and preventing regrowth for up to 4 months. In addition to providing pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control, the granular weed and feed also boost nutrient levels in the soil to support healthy grass growth.
The potent lawn fertilizer should be applied to established lawns in early spring after the third or fourth mowing when daytime temperatures are consistently between 60ᵒ F and 80ᵒ F. It's safe for use on a wide array of grass species, including Bahai grass, Bermuda grass, centipede grass, fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue.
Jobe's has been a leader in eco-friendly gardening products for over fifty years. Their specially-formulated Natural Liquid Weed and Feed nourish lawns and prevent weed growth without the harsh chemicals conventional formulas typically contain. Instead, it uses a potent blend of botanical oils to prevent dandelions, clover, chicory, thistle, and other annoying broadleaf weeds.
The convenient design connects to your garden hose spray nozzle for easy application. While it's safe for children and pets to play immediately after use, it's best to allow the fertilizer to dry and soak in completely to achieve the best results. One bottle covers up to 3,500 sq ft.
Give your grass the love it deserves with GreenView's Fairway Formula Weed and Feed with Crabgrass Preventer! The professional-grade product offers the highest slow-release nitrogen content on the market with a 65% slow-release nitrogen that delivers nutrients for up to 12 weeks. In addition to providing soil with a hefty dose of nutrients, it kills over 200 types of weeds, including seedling crabgrass, chickweed, carpetweed, and more.
Apply it to your lawn using a drop spreader or broadcast spreader in early spring when weeds first begin to appear. After just one application, our lawn will be thick and green when summertime rolls around. It's important to note that this product is not suitable for use on Saint Augustine grass, dichondra, and carpet grass, as it can cause serious lawn damage.
BioAdvanced's powerful 3-in-1 Weed and Feed is specially formulated for Southern lawns. Unlike many weed and feed fertilizers, it's safe for use on Southern turfs like Bermuda grass, Saint Augustine grass, centipede grass, and Zoysia grass. Using a proven blend of weed killers and residual herbicides, the potent product keeps your grass free from grassy and broadleaf weeds for up to six months.
In addition to being a powerful weed killer, BioAdvanced's Southern formula helps keep your lawn healthy during hot summer months. The turf builder feeds, greens, and strengthens your lawn for weeks to come after just one application. For best results, apply it once in the spring after your second mow and once in the fall, at least six weeks before the first frost.
