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It’s the rare lawn owner that doesn’t have at least one sour memory of fighting off dandelions. These cheerful yellow weeds seem to thrive in even the least amount of soil, whatever its conditions; a crack in the concrete, a decaying pile of leaves, even some mud in the gutter.
It should come as no surprise then, that a carefully tended garden maintained for far more delicate plants provides dandelions with everything they need to become irritatingly plentiful. As with most weeds, they tend to be incredibly prolific, and can entirely overrun a garden in only a few seed cycles.
A garden full of dandelions has its uses of course – it is reasonably brightly colored and requires little to no care. Children love to pick the dandelions and blow the seeds off in their small gauzy parachutes and even some adults prefer the appearance of a full green lawn and the natural look that comes from letting plants grow as they will.
All this is well and good for those who are less intent on the appearance of their garden or lawn. Those with an interest in their house’s outward appearance will need a more concrete solution to dandelions, ideally before the first round of them begins to appear in the spring.
For many, the answer is a weed killer, ideally one specifically engineered to work on dandelions. There are herbicides that will destroy other weeds as well, but they run a greater risk of damaging desired plantings along with the dandelions. These weed killers can be a powder, spray, or crystal form, and may be applied by means of several different tools.
As with most lawn care products, weed killers are a competitive field at best and all were certainly not created equal. We’ve assembled a list of the ten best weed killers you can use to keep dandelions out of your garden this year.
| Product | Features | Latest Price |
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1.Spectracide Extended Control  |
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2. Roundup III  |
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3. Southern Ag  |
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4. Ortho GroundClear  |
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5. Weed B Gon  |
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6. Preen 2164031  |
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7. Scotts Snap Pac  |
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8. Monterey LG 5600  |
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9. BioAdvanced  |
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10. Weed Stop  |
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Our Best Best Dandelion Killer Reviews and Comparisons
1. Spectracide Extended Control
Product Highlights
This is an extra-strength weed killer that can do away with dozens of weeds down to the root.
Features
- 32 oz per purchase
- Rain resistant from 15 minutes onward
- Effective from three hours onwards
- Five months lasting prevention
What We Like About Spectracide Extended Control
This weed killer cuts through an impressive 200+ species of broadleaf weeds including killing off the root system.
What We Don’t Like About Spectracide Extended Control
There will be a need to physically protect the plants you want to keep alive, as this product can damage benign vegetation as well.
PROS
- 16,000 square feet maximum coverage
- Does not lose potency when mixed with water
- Fast acting
- Works on a large variety of weeds
- Rainproof after only 15 minutes
CONS
- Not selectively engineered
- Can be harmful to pets or small children
2. Roundup III
Product Highlights
Roundup has been a big name in the weed control world for some time for coming ready to use with no mixing required.
Features
- 1.25 gallons per purchase
- Rainproof in ten minutes
- Results inside six hours
- Lasting prevention up to three months
What We Like About Roundup III
As with many Roundup products this weed killer is safe to use on mulched flower beds and vegetable gardens.
What We Don’t Like About Roundup III
Because this comes prediluted, it cannot be mixed with water to create larger quantities of the herbicide.
PROS
- Safe for use near your desired plants
- Comes ready to use with no mixing or measuring
- Easily penetrates narrow cracks in concrete or brickwork
- Useable in sunny or cloudy conditions
- Ideal composition for Roundup sprayer wands
CONS
- Other brands of sprayers may not dispense proper quantities
- Cannot be diluted for extra coverage
3. Southern Ag
Product Highlights
This is a carefully formulated weed killer meant to leave behind a healthy lawn and several kinds of dead weeds.
Features
- 32 oz per purchase
- Works on woody plants as well
- Low dosage required
- Safe for many kinds of grasses
What We Like About Southern Ag
This weed killer is selectively engineered to be safe for use on several different types of grass
What We Don’t Like About Southern Ag
When compared to similar products this weed killer is slow to act and does not rainproof well.
PROS
- Economical in usage
- Single jug will cover multiple acres
- Effective against broadleaf and woody plants
- Safe to use on grass
- Adaptable to many kinds of lawn
CONS
- Slow acting
- Substandard rainproofing.
4. Ortho GroundClear
Product Highlights
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Features
- Feature1
- Feature2
- Feature3
What We Like About Product Name
Get ahead of the game with this product by investing in long-term protection for your lawn.
What We Don’t Like About Product Name
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PROS
- One gallon per purchase
- Can be cleanly applied with a variety of apparatus
- Settles well in brick, gravel, or pavement
- Can be diluted for added coverage
- Safe to be used on boardwalks or timber patios
CONS
- Low initial coverage
- 12 month protection is not exact
5. Weed B Gon
Product Highlights
Rest assured that whatever it is that’s troubling your yard, this weed killer will get it gone.
Features
- One gallon per purchase
- Rainproof in one hour
- Results inside four hours
- Covers over 64,000 square feet
What We Like About Weed B Gon
There are botany textbooks with a less comprehensive guide to weeds than the list of plants on which this product is effective.
What We Don’t Like About Weed B Gon
This product was labeled somewhat generously – if applied as directed, it will wilt but not kill most plants.
PROS
- Works on an impressive number of plants
- Safe for most lawns
- Does not discolor wood patios or fences
- Great coverage
- Relatively good rainproofing
CONS
- Not concentrated enough
- May wilt plants without killing them.
6. Preen 2164031
Product Highlights
This is a slurry mix that both rids your lawn of dandelions and helps healthy grass come in underneath them.
Features
- 18 lbs per purchase
- Covers 5000 square feet
- Nitrogen release enriches soil for desired grass
- Requires seasonal application only
What We Like About Preen 2164031
Because this is a dry product, it will be significantly easier to handle than other weed killers.
What We Don’t Like About Preen 2164031
This package gives somewhat less coverage than liquid products and must be applied ahead of the planting season.
PROS
- Needs to be applied only once per season
- Dry product is more efficient and easier to manage
- Includes a nitrate boost for your lawn
- Easy to use alongside potting soil, mulch, or fertilizer
- Suitable for drop or broadcast spreaders
CONS
- Works only on dandelions and crabgrass
- Can damage desired plants as well
7. Scotts Snap Pac
Product Highlights
This dry-product weed killer gives all the performance you should expect from one of the biggest names in lawn care.
Features
- 12.8 lbs per purchase
- Covers 4000 square feet
- Useable in Scotts lawn care machinery
- Includes grass supplements for a healthier lawn
What We Like About Scotts Snap Pac
The packaging is specifically designed to work well in lawn spreaders ensuring even distribution for maximum effect.
What We Don’t Like About Scotts Snap Pac
The packaging and supplementary equipment for this product are exclusively for Scotts lawn care products.
PROS
- Works as both grass supplement and weed killer
- Improves water absorption
- Compatible with Scotts Snap Spreader
- Integrated spout for even application at the correct rate
- Timing instructions for best application included
CONS
- Restricted for sale in some areas
- Package is not compatible with other brands of spreader
8. Monterey LG 5600
Product Highlights
Three separate active ingredients make this weed killer effective even on the species that are usually hardest to control.
Features
- 16 oz per purchase
- Safe for use near pets
- Triple active ingredient formula
- Suitable for year-round use
What We Like About Monterey LG 5600
With three active ingredients, this will quickly rid your lawn or even the most resilient dandelions and spurge.
What We Don’t Like About Monterey LG 5600
This weed killer comes in smaller packages than most, making it unsuitable for those looking to treat a larger lawn.
PROS
- Convenient quantity
- Fast acting
- Useful in sun or shade
- Does not discolor wood fences or patios
- Safe for use near pets or small children
CONS
- Does not come in large enough packages for big lawns
- FMore focused on spurge than broadleaf
9. BioAdvanced
Product Highlights
This weed killer combines the best attributes of several products for maximum effect.
Features
- 40 oz per purchase
- Rainproof in one hour
- Treats up to 6250 square feet
- Useable in all liquid sprayers
What We Like About BioAdvanced
This product takes advantage of botanical science to achieve near-instant results with every spray.
What We Don’t Like About BioAdvanced
This weed killer is not safe for use on several common kinds of lawn grass, including St. Augustines and carpetgrass.
PROS
- Fast acting
- Rainproofing is nearly perfect
- Economy sized package
- Keeps lawns green while killing weeds
- Use in included spray bottle or on any liquid applicator device
CONS
- Will harm certain kinds of lawn grass
- Relatively low coverage.
10. Weed Stop
Product Highlights
This combo comes with the weed killer in a ready to use bottle and safe for most lawn grasses.
Features
- 32 oz per purchase
- Covers nearly 20,000 square feet
- Rainproof in six hours
- Overnight results
What We Like About Weed Stop
This weed killer comes ready to spray in a bottle specially designed to make sure you get the most from your purchase.
What We Don’t Like About Weed Stop
This killer may have poor results if applied in direct sunlight
PROS
- Economical usage with the premeasured bottle
- Safe with most lawn grasses
- Ready-to-spray and dilutable concentrate versions available
- Can kill at any stage of the growing process
- Attaches to a hose or sprays from the bottle
CONS
- Ineffective if applied in direct sunlight
- Needs to be applied fairly closely to kill roots – a topical spraying will not be sufficient
Helpful Hints
Although one rarely thinks of it when talking about gardening, the maxim ‘safety first’ applies here as much as anywhere else. Weed killers are refined chemical compounds designed to damage living tissue, and they can be harmful to people as well if ingested or overexposed.
Prevent accidents with weed killers by keeping it in a safe place, far from reach or sight of pets and children. Apply only when alone in the yard, and be sure to keep sensitive individuals away from the treated area for as long as possible, up to one full day.
Keep in mind that many weed killers are subject to at least some form of regulation in a lot of locales whether on their sale, use or how close to a building they may be used. Take a moment before you start spraying to avoid trouble by familiarizing yourself with local bylaws on the subject.
Another way you can save yourself some time, effort and embarrassment by checking what kind of grass your lawn includes and finding a weed killer that is safe to use. Few things can make you redder in the face than confidently announcing your lawn will be fine and waking up to a slew of dead spots.
Weed killers should always be used with appropriate and recommended caution as well. Good working gloves, long sleeves and pants, and a protective breath mask should all be worn when dealing with any sprayed product. Although it may be delivered at some distance from you by a sprayer wand, the particles can still scatter upwards and may reach you in addition to the offending plants.
Many weed killers will kill off only the current generation of weeds, without penetrating to the underground root or seed structures. Even if your weed killer is labeled to reach the root, make sure you schedule at least two rounds of treatment an average of three weeks apart to make certain that your lawn remains dandelion free.
If there are only a few small weeds to deal with, you may want to consider a more organic approach than a chemical herbicide. A few moments with a trowel or shovel can spare you considerable expense and avoid any risk of accidental damage to your lawn.
For larger areas of weeds with no desirable plants to get in the way, you may want to consider a weed mat instead of chemical treatment. Weed mats are large sheets of heavy rubber that can be secured over the area to be treated in order to block sunlight rain, and this will impede the plant growth.
If you do decide to use a weed mat instead of a spray, be sure to fix it in place with tent pegs or large nails. It should be pressed as close to the ground as possible and left undisturbed until the desired effects are achieved.
Once the weeds under the mat are dead or weakened remove the debris as fast as possible. This will prevent seeds or root systems from sprouting and reversing whatever progress has been made.
One of the most common mistakes or complaints about weed killers is the accidental damage to the rest of the garden or lawn to which they are being applied. To prevent this you should get a large piece of new cardboard and place it firmly into the ground between the ordinary lawn and the weeds, preventing any accident splashing and channeling more of the spray onto the dandelions.
Another common error, especially among novices, is thinking that every bottle labeled ‘weed killer’ can be used in the same apparatus and with the same preparation. Weedkiller comes in two basic forms, spray and concentrate, and being able to handle each is an important skill for an aspiring gardener.
When a bottle says spray, the formula inside tends to be prepared and ready for immediate use in a spray bottle, hand pump or attached to your hose. A concentrate is a superdense product that needs to be diluted with water to be safe to use on your lawn.
Always make sure to dilute the weed killer according to the formula on the bottle. The results of preparing an incorrect solution can range from an ineffective spray to totally decimating the soil.
Keep in mind that concentrate can cover thousands of square feet, and will likely be marketed as a commercial product for lawn care professionals. If you are treating only your own lawn or yard, you are more in the market for a bottle of prepared spray.
The trickiest question for many people is whether or not it is safe to apply a weed killer to a vegetable garden. There is a good reason for being cautious. On top of the usual fears about unintentionally destroying your lawn, a vegetable garden runs the risk of passing on the toxins to you and your family.
In many cases, the weed killer will say it is safe for use on vegetables or only harms weeds. Seek out expert advice on the specific brand in question from a yard care expert or your local poison control center.