5 Best Weed and Feed

58.97% of users selected Scotts Turf Builder Weed, 15.38% selected Builder Bonus S Southern, 10.26% selected Scotts Liquid Turf Builder, 12.82% selected BioAdvanced Bayer and 2.56% selected Science-Based Solutions. Every month we analyze your answers and change our rating.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a complete newbie, there’s one thing we all want: a lush, weed-free lawn. However, as you may have guessed, we’ll need to select a high-quality lawn fertilizer as well as an effective herbicide to keep weeds at bay.

That’s when a 2-in-1 weed and feed product comes in handy, fertilizing your lawn while also controlling weeds. But which one to select, with so many goods giving a variety of remedies that must be applied in various ways?

To keep your lawn looking luscious and green, you’ll need to weed periodically and fertilize at the appropriate times of the year. Overall, it may be a time- and energy-intensive activity, particularly if you have a big yard. Although you may be able to dig out crabgrass or dandelion manually on occasion, hand-weeding or fertilizing a full lawn on a daily basis is not feasible.

To help make the right choice, this guide focuses on the best weed and feed products from the top brands. The buying guide also shows how to use them to maximum effect.

Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed – the best for coverage area!

It is possible to get rid of roughly 50 different species of local weeds while also thickening the lawn density. It is two times more effective than comparable products in eliminating clover and is one of the best dandelion killers.

You can thicken your lawn and supply it with optimal nutrients by eradicating numerous sorts of weeds with this Scotts Turf Builder product.

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Scotts Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed – the best for the southern lawns!

Within a week after treatment, the treated weed began to turn yellow and died after two weeks. The weeds may be fully gone by week three. You may pick to apply a drop spreader shortly before a light rain, according to the instructions.

If you have a lawn with St. Augustine, Zoysia and Carpet grass, choose this product and you won’t regret it. It is a highly recommended weed and feed product for Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, etc.

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Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control Fertilizer – the best for weed control!

This effective weed and feed solution can kill clover, spurge, dandelions, ragweed, oxalis, and a variety of other weeds. Within a few days, the weeds will start to curl. Some weeds that are difficult to control may need a repeat spray in 3-4 weeks.

In addition, the product provides a rapid injection of nitrogen to your lawn. The little spray container is ideal for taking out of the garage to attack lawn portions.

Compared to other Scotts products, it is very easy to use. It works as weed control, weed prevention solution and nitrogen fertilizer.

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BioAdvanced 100532518 Bayer All-in-One Weed & Feed – the best for northern lawns!

This effective weed and feed solution can kill clover, spurge, dandelions, ragweed, oxalis, and a variety of other weeds. Within a few days, the weeds will start to curl. Some weeds that are difficult to control may need a repeat spray in 3-4 weeks.

The fertilizer also makes it seem lush and green. It features a 22-0-4 formula that is phosphorous-free and offers a 25% slow release.

It not only kills current weeds, but it also stays in the soil for up to 6 months, acting as a weed preventer. It just takes one spray to maintain your lawn free of grassy and broadleaf weeds during the season.

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BioAdvanced 709861F Lawn Weed and Feed – the powerful formula!

This solution has a unique micro-feed action that affects the grass, roots, and soil, resulting in a stronger and healthier lawn. It also includes 2.5 percent iron, which is essential for a healthy lawn – you’ll see a change in less than a week, unlike most other treatments.

Due to its unusual formula, this product is one of the few weed and feed products on the market with an expiry date. This product will lose its effectiveness after 5 years, however, this will not be an issue for most people since it will most likely be applied before then.

Since this formula lasts around 3 months with only one application, the slow-release function is beneficial. The company, however, does not encourage using the product in the winter; it should only be used while the grass is “actively growing”.

The BioAdvanced Weed and Feed product contains enough nitrogen and nutrients to improve the general health of your ryegrass. It promotes resistance to severe winter and summer conditions from the root to the grass blade. The formula’s long-lasting and adaptable qualities make it ideal for lawns and yards with a range of grass varieties.

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The Buyer’s Guide

Application Method

All weed and feed products come in 2 forms:

1) Liquid weed and feed products

Liquids are simple to use since they can be connected to a hose and sprayed on the lawn. This is a fast and easy way to cover a large area of lawn. It’s a little more difficult to make sure you’re obtaining the right application rate. The liquid is more practical for small yards since it can often be connected straight to your hose and sprayed throughout the yard. Treating your whole yard in this manner should take no more than 15-30 min.

2) Granular weed and feed products

Granular is suitable for medium- to large-sized lawns because the spreader will be simpler to move and guarantee an even distribution. It still doesn’t need mixing, but you should check the label and make sure the spreader is set to the correct quantity. This is the ideal option for lawns larger than 14 acres but less than 1 acre.

There are 2 types of granular weed and feed products:

1. Quick-release formula. This is for quick nitrogen supply to your garden, with fertilization lasting 3–4 weeks depending on weather conditions;
2. Slow-release formula. This nitrogen fertilizer, which is insoluble in water, guarantees that the grass grows slowly and steadily. It has the potential to fertilize for 8 to 12 weeks;

Spreading the granular items uniformly might take some time, but if you’re up for the challenge, go for it. There are other liquid versions on the market. Simply connect the hose to the product and spray straight on the lawn grass.

A liquid concentration is a way to go for big property owners who consider their lawn as an expensive bio-carpet to be proudly displayed. It will need proper weed and feed dilution, but dragging a sprayer behind an electric or gas-powered vehicle is better than walking all over the place behind a granular spreader. The large-scale liquid concentrates demand a little more trust and know-how than basic sprayer liquids or granule choices, but they’re the only method to weed and feed a lawn larger than an acre.

Granules are great if you have something to assist you to spread them out, such as a spreader. Most gardeners recommend getting a spreader if you don’t already have one since you don’t want to risk scorching your grass by using too much substance in a small area.

Type of Weeds It Can Kill

You should also evaluate the sort of grass that makes up your lawn, in addition to the weeds that are buried within it. Ironically, certain types of grass are called weeds in certain areas, and if you use the incorrect sort of weed and feed, you might totally ruin your otherwise healthy grass.

Before you pick a fertilizer, make sure you know what kind of grass you have since certain grasses are classified as weeds in particular regions. Applying a weed killer that kills the lawn grass is the last thing you’d like to do.

Another reason to check your grass kind is to make sure you’re using the right fertilizer for it.

The difference between a silky carpet of grass and a wilted brown desert is often the wise option of weed and feed for the particular variety of grass being cultivated.

Most effective weed and feed products can kill and prevent the growth of weeds: 

• Bahiagrass;
• Centipede;
• St. Augustine;
• Carpet grass;
• Dichondra;
• Bentgrass;

Because there are two types of St. Augustine grass, it is exceptionally difficult to grow. The floral type is more widespread in Florida, whilst the other is more widely used as a weed and feed.

If your yard is made up of these grass types, examine the labels carefully to make sure that you select a solution that will feed rather than harm your lawn.

Keep in mind that not all lawns have the same weed issue. If you don’t have any dandelions but do have clover patches, you should opt for a clover-specific treatment.

Chickweed, crabgrass, ragweed, and plantain, to mention a few, can be also the targets for some products.

Herbicides and weed preventatives are often used in fertilizers. Some products are more effective than others in killing certain kinds of weeds and pests. Chickweed, dandelions, plantain, Creeping Charlie, and clover are among the most frequent broadleaf weeds targeted by the most popular weed and feed products.

Weed preventers, also known as pre-emergent weed killers, prevent the seeds from sprouting in the soil – these weeds are chickweed, crabgrass, poa annua, and henbit. Determine the kinds of weeds that have infested your lawn and then select a product that is meant to prevent or kill them.

Nutrients

The required nutrients must be present in your soil for maximum plant development. And here is when a good fertilizer may really help.

However, not all fertilizers are created equal. Before you purchase one, look at the label to see how many nutrients it contains.

Nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) are the most prevalent nutrients in most weed and feed products. NPK is the acronym for this combo. The following are the advantages of using an NPK combination in your soil:

• Nitrogen. Most plants need nitrogen to grow correctly and acquire a green color; 
• Phosphorus. Most plants need phosphorus to form strong root systems, as well as to create flowers, fruits, and seeds;
• Potassium. Most plants also need potassium to defend themselves from drought, disease, and cold. It also aids nitrogen and phosphorus in achieving their full potential;

Fertilizers may also include a variety of micronutrients and secondary elements that are essential for proper development.

Calcium, sulfur, and magnesium are examples of secondary elements.

Iron, copper, boron, zinc, molybdenum, nickel, chloride, and manganese are among the micronutrients. These are required in lower quantities.

You may run a soil test at home or take a sample to a local cooperative extension testing office to find out precisely what you need.

The NPK ratio

The NPK value is usually represented by three digits on the product’s label. Each number represents the product’s percentage content.

A bag with the numerals 16-5-5, for example, would contain 16 percent nitrogen, 5 percent phosphorus, and 5 percent potassium (potash). In a 10-pound bag of fertilizer, that’s 1.6 pounds of nitrogen, 0.5 pounds of phosphorus, and 0.5 pounds of potassium. Filler materials and some nutrients make up the balance of the bag’s contents.

The Best Time to Apply

The majority of weed and feed solutions kill weeds that have already begun to grow. But they do not stop them from germinating since the granules (or liquid) must stick to the plant’s leaves. As a result, it’s critical to apply it at the appropriate moment.

When the weather is chilly, you won’t be able to stop the weeds from growing. Instead, wait until the first signs of weeds develop in the spring.

There are 2 possible issues: 

1) When applying too early

If fertilizer is sprayed too early in the season, your garden may get more than it needs, resulting in fertilizer scorch. In other words, your lawn will be given more fertilizer than it may handle. When grass is actively developing from mid-spring onwards, it requires more fertilizers. This is why the majority of weed and feed products are extended-release and have to be treated in April.

2) When applying too late

Spraying weed and feed in September diminishes the treatment’s overall efficacy. Although September is an excellent time to treat and eliminate weeds, it is not the ideal time to treat grass since the nutrient is utilized to fuel top leaf development, resulting in a weaker root network through the winter. After August, you should use a separate weed killer in September and fertilizer in October to take a different approach.

During the active season, from April to August, spread weed and feed as a general rule.

Don’t go too early; the goal is to eliminate any emerging weeds. Take into account the “feed” component as well. This part of the formula is designed to promote healthy grass growth, lush green foliage, as well as a strong root system. Applying too soon will result in a massive rush to top growth, which will inhibit root formation. As a consequence, there will be more mowing and the grass will be weaker.

FAQ

How to use weed and feed products? 

• To begin, mow the lawn a day before applying the weed and feed products;
• Then, the day before you apply it, water the grass to ensure that it has enough moisture;
• After that, stroll up and down the lawn with the spreader. To guarantee coverage, each pass should include a little bit of overlap;
• Before watering the grass again, wait 2 or 3 days after using the product;

How long do weed and feed products take to work?

If the product is used throughout the growing season, it normally takes between 4 and 1 month to see benefits. Dandelion, moss, clover, and other weed areas will become black or brown and eventually die off after using these products. 

How to water your lawn with weed and feed products? 

It’s critical to remember to water your lawn throughout the summer while fertilizing it. If you don’t water a garden after you’ve fed it, you’ll probably end up with some burnt spots. Following your feeding session, water well to guarantee that the nutrients are absorbed into the soil.

After a feeding session, most garden professionals advocate watering your lawn with a huge sprinkler system. Water first thing in the morning, before the sunrise is too high in the sky. Watering later in the noon or during peak sun hours wastes this resource because of the increased evaporation rate caused by the heat of the day.

Useful Video: Weed N Feed For Lawns : Not Recommended

Final thoughts 

If you’re seeking for the best lawn weed and feed, the experts agree that all of the products evaluated in this guide are good choices. In terms of efficacy, value for money, and record of accomplishment, these top 5 weed and feed products stand out.

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