Make your lawn and garden weed-free zones with these sprays and concentrates.
By Kaz Weida Updated: May 22, 2024 8:55 PM EDT Expert consulted: Bob Mann Jump to Products Save ArticleNo matter the diligence or determination you have, weeds tend to creep into every nook and cranny of lawns, gardens, sidewalks, and driveways. In addition to being an eyesore, they compete with other plant growth and could possibly compromise the healthy vegetation or landscaping you’re trying to cultivate.
Even when you put your back into it, giving weeds the boot is often easier said than done. Applying pre-emergent weed killers or herbicides may stop some weeds from germinating before they start, but it won’t be long before dandelions and other broad-leaf weeds find a way to rear their ugly heads.
That’s why we checked in with Bob Mann, an agronomist with the National Association of Landscape Professionals for effective ways to banish invasive plants. “A good offense is the best defense against weeds,” he says. “Before ever getting to the decision to use an herbicide, the best thing you can do is focus on growing a healthy lawn. The denser the stand of turf grass, the less light that reaches the soil. Without light, weeds stand little chance of success.”
However, if your lush lawn or healthy garden is being compromised by unruly weeds, it may require taking matters into your own hands. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of weed-killing sprays designed for every purpose under the sun.
For this roundup, I’ve rooted out the best weed killers from non-selective sprays that wipe out every plant they encounter to specific weed-killing formulas that effectively target unwanted broadleaf greenery like thistles, dandelions, and even crabgrass.
The Expert (Kaz Weida): I used to consider it a badge of honor to beat back weeds from our expansive suburban pull-through drive, gravel RV pad, and raised garden beds with elbow grease. I’m reluctant to use pesticides around our kids and senior rescue dog, and in recent years, this Utahn has embraced the use of pre-emergent weed killers and natural non-selective weed killers with ingredients like industrial-strength vinegar to make seasonal weeding in our corner of the sunbelt a little less intense. As the expert in this article suggests, the best defense against a lawn invasion is a solid offense—so for me, that means taking good care of our lush Kentucky blue grass with appropriate watering and treatments to encourage growth that holds its own against common regional weeds including dandelions, thistles, and crabgrass.
The Expert (Bob Mann): Bob Mann is Senior Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs for the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Prior to joining NALP, Mann was a 30-plus-year veteran of the professional lawn care industry. He is a graduate of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts.
Before spraying weeds indiscriminately, review the following factors to determine which kind of weed killer will be most effective for the plants and the location you’re targeting.
Increasingly, household use of certain types of weed killers has come under scrutiny because one of the active ingredients, glyphosate, is speculated to have long-term environmental impacts and pose a potential health risk.
If you have children, pets, or are just concerned about the use of chemicals near your home, there are plenty of non-toxic weed killers we recommend below that do not contain glyphosate.
A chemical commonly used in weed killers, glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide popularized by the Monsanto’s Roundup brand and has been widely used in both residential and industrial settings since the late 1970s. A 2019 study prompted concern about glyphosate’s role as a potential carcinogen and reviews of the chemical’s impact from several regulatory agencies.
In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen. A more recent study from scientists at the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites glyphosate as a potential source of oxidative stress that could contribute to the development of certain cancers.
However, after a review of research regarding the chemical’s impacts was conducted in 2020, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) concluded glyphosate was not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used according to the product’s label.
While there is no confirmed status for glyphosate currently, Mann shared this: “As an industry, we trust the pesticide regulatory framework in the United States, and the qualified professionals and scientists at the EPA.”
If you do use a weed killer that contains glyphosate, read the label carefully. It usually suggests wearing protective gear and washing your hands and the clothing you wore during application. Keep family and friends away from areas that have been sprayed or treated until the chemical has fully dried.
You’ll get more bang for your buck when you buy a concentrate and dilute it yourself, but sometimes convenience is worth the cost. Look for larger containers of ready-made formulas that sport handy spray nozzles if you’re planning to hose down large areas like an entire driveway, lawn, or large garden.
Not all weed killers are created equal. If you’re applying a chemical to your driveway or sidewalk, it’s likely you want something non-selective that will go scorched earth on any plant in its path. However, if you’re trying to eliminate weeds from your lawn or garden, you need a selective formula that targets certain weeds so it won’t kill grass or prevent seeds from germinating.
“That leaves us with two basic groups of herbicides for use on lawns: herbicides for broadleaf plants like dandelions and herbicides for grassy weeds such as crabgrass,” says Mann. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. “To choose the right one, do your research well ahead of purchase. Or if that’s something you’re not inclined to do, contact a National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) member professional to do it for you.”
Some of the ready-made mixes come in hefty, gallon containers that top out at 8 pounds or heavier. If that’s a concern of yours, choose a smaller size product container that you can cart around the yard without strain.
The last thing you want is to apply weed killer and have it get washed down the storm drain before it has a chance to sink into the soil and be effective. Pay attention to drying times as noted on the labels and look for something that will dry in 30 minutes or less for high-traffic sidewalks and driveways.
In addition to conducting thorough product research and scouring customer reviews, I connected with lawn care and landscaping professional Mann for advice about identifying and using the most effective weed killer.
Below are a wide range of weed killers, from pre-emergents that keep weeds from popping up in the first place to broadleaf herbicides that target invasive greenery. In addition, I paid special attention to singling out the right spray in a variety of types, from non-selective killers that last months on sidewalks and driveways to organic, non-toxic sprays safe to use around vegetable gardens and flower beds.
Last but not least, I put several of these weed killers to the test on my own gravel RV pad that’s become an active breeding ground for unsightly, sprawling weeds of all varieties. Previously, my spouse attempted flame weeding the area. This involves a propane torch dangerously close to our lawn. I can confirm that the weed killers we recommend below provide an effective and much less hazardous alternative to our previous trial-by-fire approach. Read on for the best weed killers of 2024.