The Best Weed and Feeds for a Healthy, Happy Lawn - The Backyard Master (2024)

Looking for the best weed and feed to make your lawn look it’s best? We’ve got you covered with our top picks to get rid of the weeds and green up your lawn fast.

If you’ve noticed your lawn isn’t looking so a great, a weed and feed could be the double threat you need.

The products below are intended to give your lawn a surge of green while targeting broad-leaf weeds that distract from your lawn’s overall appearance.

For more lawn care tips and information on weed and feed products, including how to apply, please refer to the information below our selections.

Our Top Weed and Feed Choices

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How to apply weed and feed to your lawn

All weed and feed products will have a spreader setting listed on the bag. Locate your specific spreader and set it to the recommended setting. If you can not locate your spreader, dial your spreader to a low setting and make multiple perpendicular passes until the desired amount is applied.

How much product should I apply?

To understand how much of any given weed and feed product you need to apply it is always best to follow the label rate provided on the products bag.

It is important to have a good idea of how big your lawn is in square feet. You can measure or pace off the length and width of your lawn and multiply those numbers together to give you an estimate of the total square feet.

For example if your lawn was 50ft long by 50ft wide your total square footage woud be 2,500sq ft.

If you were using Preen 2164179 One Lawncare Weed & Feed (covers 2,500 sq. ft) you would need to use one full bag. On the other hand, if you were to use the BioAdvanced All-in-One Weed & Feed (covers 5000 sq. ft.) product you would only apply half of the bag.

Over applying weed and feed products will not enhance the effectiveness of the product and you risk over fertilizing your lawn leaving it stressed and brown.

When is the best time to apply weed and feed?

Weed and feed products are most effective when the weeds are actively growing. This means spring, early summer, and fall applications will be most effective.

It is best to apply a day or two after mowing and regular irrigation can resume after 24hrs.

If you recently planted new seed on your lawn it is best to wait about 60 days as new turf grass may be sensitive to chemical applications.

Bonus Weed and Feed Tips

Although weed and feed products have their place and work well for weed control they are not a substitute for poor lawn care practices. The best defence for unwanted weeds in your lawn is a healthy and full lawn. A dense lawn makes it hard for weeds to compete with and spread. Here are a few tips to improve your lawn’s health.

• Mow more more often. Mowing one additional day a week can dramatically improve the quality of your lawn. An actively growing lawn cut more often will try to grow horizontally and increases density.

• Don’t cut the grass too short. Remove no more than ⅓ of the grass blade during a single mow. This will decrease stress on the grass and keep it healthy.

• Make sure your mower blades are sharp. A dull blade will tear the grass and increase stress and make the blade more prone to disease. A sharp blade will ensure minimal stress to the plant and give you a clean cut.

• Make sure you watering practices are dialed in. Long infrequent watering will help train the grass roots to search for water deeper compared to frequent short duration waterings which lead to a shallow and weak root system. Most types of lawn require 1-1 ½ inces of water a week wether through rain or irrigation. If irrigation is needed it is best practiced through 1-3 waterings

What kind of results can I expect from using weed and feed?

You can expect decent, but typically not 100% perfect results with weed and feed products.

It is important to determine the type of weed you are trying to kill and then determine if they are listed in the “weeds controlled” section on the product’s label. If it is not listed then odds are the product is not going to be effective.

Weed killers generally work best when the weed is actively growing and before they get established and mature. If you apply a weed and feed no newly sprouted weed the level of control will increase compared to more mature weed which may need a follow-up application per the instructions on the label.

Can I use weed and feed on trees and shrubs?

It is not recommended to use weed and feed on trees or shrubs as the herbicides used in these products may kill or injure these plants. They are specially formulated to be used on lawns.

What is the best weed and feed for summer?

If you are planning on using a weed and feed in the summer it is best to apply a product with a little lower nitrogen content (the first number on the analysis). Giving your lawn a smaller dose of nitrogen will decrease the possibility of fertilizer burn, which may occur during summer months. It will also put less stress on the lawn as it is dealing with hotter temperatures.

Our recommended product would be Lesco’s or the Anderson’s as they both have a lower nitrogen content but will still attack you weeds.

Which weed-n-feed should I use in the fall?

If you have a cool season lawn you can apply any weed and feed product in the fall. Traditionally cool season lawns grow the best in the fall and store nutrients going into winter. With that said, you would want to apply a product with a higher nitrogen content to promote grow and root strength. For this application we would recommend Scotts Weed and Feed as it has a higher nitrogen content

What is the best weed and feed for St. Augustine?

Scotts Southern Lawn Weed and Feed is specifically labeled for St. Augustine and is a quality weed and feed product to use. A good rule to follow with anything you are adding to your lawn is to double check that your turf type is listed as acceptable for that specific product.

The Best Weed and Feed Products