Many a landscaper has been thwarted from attaining true lawn perfection by the reoccurrence of the humble, but tough little dandelion.
Broadleaf weeds are incredibly hardy and commonplace, so how do you control their spread across your greenspace?
In this article we’re going to get into the different types of weeds, weed killers, and tell you how to get rid of those suckers for good!
Top Broadleaf Weed Killers – Reviews
1. Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer for Lawns
Those seeking a fast, effective, and majority lawn safe broadleaf weed killer need search no further. Ortho Weed B Gone is a targeted weed killer that eliminates hundreds of broadleaf weeds, even getting the roots, while leaving most grasses happy and lush.
One of the coolest aspects of this product’s design is that it requires no mixing or measuring – just hook up your hose and spray.
Specifications:
- Will not damage lawn when used as directed
- Rain proof in 1 hour, results within 24 hours
- Kills over 250 different types of weeds
- Post emergent, selective
Pros:
- Lawn safe in majority of cases
- Kills weeds to the root
- Ready to use
- Better for perennials
Cons:
- Nozzle prone to breakage
- Post emergent weeds only
2. Spectracide Weed & Feed
Spectracide brings another excellent weed killer that you can simply attach to your hose and start weeding. Their formula does not hurt most types of grass, and also includes a nitrogen based liquid fertilizer. Multiple applications are recommended
And though it is only effective on post emergent weeds, the extra fertilizer boost will allow the grass to better fight off weedy invaders.
Specifications:
- Does not hurt grass when used as directed
- 3 weeks to full results
- Post emergent, selective
Pros:
- Most grasses unaffected
- Very inexpensive
- Ready to use
Cons:
- Longer wait for results
- Nozzle prone to breakage
- Post emergent weeds only
3. Scotts Triple Action Turf Builder
Folks with more patience that are seeking a long-term solution to their weed issues will love Scotts Turf Builder. Not only does it kill the post emergent weeds and prevent the pre-emergent ones for months, it also strengthens the grass with fertilizer to help keep the weeds gone for good.
Specifications:
- Effective for most Norther types of grass
- Results within 1-2 weeks
- Kills weeds and keeps them from coming back
- Post and pre-emergent, selective
Pros:
- 3 in 1: weed killer, weed preventer, grass fertilizer
- Works on annuals and perennials
- Long lasting results
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Safe for smaller number of grasses
- Time consuming to apply
4. Jonathan Green Green Up Weed & Feed
And another excellent, granular weed and feed option is from Jonathan Green. It works with a wide variety of grasses to slowly fertilize and bulk up your lawn, while also killing post emergent broadleafs and preventing their growth for months.
The results take longer than some competitors to achieve, but you’re left with an overall healthier lawn!
Specifications:
- Results in about 1 month
- Kills over 250 weed varieties
Pros:
- Targets hundreds of broadleaf weeds
- More long-term solution
- Kills, prevents, and fertilizes
Cons:
- Much slower results
- Laborious application
- Expensive
5. Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer
If you have a broadleaf weed problem in your garden, or simply worry about your children’s and pet’s health, a non-toxic weed killer like Green Gobbler is just what you need.
Green Gobbler is made of a concentrated vinegar and water – it has zero toxic chemicals and won’t leach into the soil, water, or harm wildlife or the family!
This is a spot spray only weed killer, as it will destroy any plant it is sprayed on.
Specifications:
- Pet and child safe formula
- Results within hours
- Ready to use
- Post emergent, non-selective
Pros:
- No toxic chemicals, eco and family friendly
- Certified organic
- Kills weeds fast
Cons:
- Will kill anything it touches
Buyers Guide
What are Broadleaf Weeds?
We’ve all seen broadleaf weeds, and maybe spread some puffy white seeds with a blown wish, even if we didn’t know their proper names.
Most broadleaf weeds have flat, wide leaves with netlike veins that sprout from nodes along the plant in small clusters. They often have bright little flowers, and generally stand out rather starkly from the bladed grass on a lawn.
To properly get rid of these hardy weeds, you need to know what kind you’re dealing with.
Annual broadleaf weeds
Annuals grow from seeds, flower, make more seeds, and then die each year. These weeds are further classified by the season in which they flourish.
Summer annuals sprout in Spring, germinate in Summer, then die before winter. Winter annuals pop up in Fall, thrive in the chill, and wither as it heats up in Spring.
Perennial broadleaf weeds
The second type of broadleaf weed is perennials. They can live longer than 2 years, and are notoriously hard to get rid of due to the speed with which they grow and the fact that they do not spread solely by seeds.
The majority of perennial broadleaf weeds grow from tubers, rhizomes, bulbs, and stolons. This means they can have extensive systems of roots that are hard to see and extend far away from the sprout under the ground.
They are also further classified by season. For example, Dandelions are Summer perennials.
Other common broadleaf weeds
- Dandelions
- Chickweed
- Violets
- Clover
- Thistle
- Plantain
- Wild Geranium
- Ivy
- Milkweed
And this video from Lawn Care Life in Alabama will help you identify all those pesky broadleaf weeds, and a few others to boot.
How to Control Broadleaf Weeds
Depending on your land, the amount of sun your lawn gets, and many other factors the way in which you can most effectively control broadleaf weed growth will be a little different.
Post emergent broadleaf weed control
“Post emergent” weeds are those that have already sprouted and are visible above the ground.
Depending on the product, the weed killer you choose will likely recommend treating the weeds at the beginning of their growing period. That means Spring and Fall are generally the best times to spray.
Follow the directions as closely as possible for the best results. And refrain from applying weed killer during particularly hot and dry spells, as the grass will be more likely to be damaged.
Pre-emergent broadleaf weed control
Pre-emergent weed killers try to stop the weeds from ever growing to begin with. They are most effective on annual weeds, which sprout from seeds every year and are far less hardy.
Knowing when the weeds you’re having issues with are likely to appear is critical, as applying this type of weed killer too early or too late will have little effect.
How to control broadleaf weeds without weed killer
Purdue University lays out some great lawn maintenance steps for keeping weed population controlled without having to spray chemicals every year.
Here are the basics:
- Mow the lawn frequently, but no lower than 3-3.5 inches
- Water your lawn deeply, but infrequently.
- Fertilize your lawn with nitrogen rich fertilizer to support a dense lawn that leaves no room for weeds
- Grow thick grasses in the shady spots too, as many weeds originate in shade, thrive, and then spread outward
And don’t forget that many weeds are edible! That’s right, no need to get a goat, you can harvest and eat those pesky interlopers yourself. Violet flowers and chickweed are great in salads and dandelion leaves cook up deliciously on the stove or make an awesome sandwich green.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will my strategy differ if I have few broadleaf weeds vs a lawn full of them?
If you only have a few broadleaf weeds popping up across your lawn, congratulations! You have a few simple options.
You can fully uproot them with a little shovel or hori-hori, being extra careful to get all the roots or it will simply spring back later. You can use a selective, broadleaf specific, weed killer on the weed itself and a small area around it. Or you can carefully spot-spray with a non-selective weed killer.
For lawns with lots of weeds, fear not! You still have options.
Probably the best way to manage excessive weed growth is to utilize a weed and feed. Products like Scotts Turf Builder kills both pre and post emergent weeds, prevents weed growth for a a few months, and fertilizes the existing grass so that it will grow strong enough to resist any future weed take overs.
Where do broadleaf weeds come from?
Broadleaf weed seeds occur naturally in all different types of soil. They can even persist in soils for more than 30 years, according to Purdue University.
A broadleaf weed is a seed producing powerhouse, and just one can make thousands of seeds which can be spread miles away by birds, wind, rain, and even by clinging to your pant leg.
But these seeds don’t always come from the surrounding area. Cheap, low-quality grass seeds may also contain seeds from broadleaf weeds. And their seeds are also often already inside any topsoil you may purchase for your landscaping.
Will I need multiple applications of a weed killer to remove all broadleaf weeds?
Unfortunately, yes. Because these suckers are so tough and widespread, broadleaf weeds usually need multiple applications of a weed killer to remove.
Always follow the directions as closely as possible for any weed killer you use, otherwise it may not be effective.
Conclusion
Our number one choice for the fastest, most effective broadleaf weed killer is Ortho’s Weed B Gone. It won’t kill your grass and gets those stubborn weeds down to the root.
Whether it’s the dreaded dandelion, irritating ivy, or virulent violet – there’s an affordable and effective broadleaf weed killer out there for every lawn.
Happy weeding!
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