Best Granular Weed Killers For Lawn

Last Updated on January 1, 2021 by woodcutter

Bill is a regular guy who enjoys “chilling” in his backyard, on his usually thriving green turf. Wait though! He notices an alien amid the turf. He thought it was done for after last week’s application, a herbicide he had borrowed. Now he cannot help but wonder where he is going wrong.

If you have run into a similar ordeal, consider your problem solved. In this article, I will be tipping you on the best granular weed killer for lawns. I know, indecision on which granular weed killer to employ for your lawn can be frustrating. You can select one below that suits your needs.

1. Bonide BND60476 Weed Beater Complete

This one works well with broadleaf and grassy weeds. The ease of application of this product also suits newbies well. You can either apply the product before or after the emergence of the weeds. Additionally, you can use it in both cold and warm weather. Thus this product cancels out the uncertainty to do with proper timing of application.

On average, one bag of the granules can treat up to 5200sq.ft of land per 10 pounds of granules. This is just more than enough for a medium-sized backyard. These granules work best with crabgrass, goosegrass, nutsedge, dandelion, and ground ivy to round it up. You can find a catalog from the manufacturer, which will help you in identifying these weeds.

Pros

• Simple and straightforward application.
• It covers a wider area of application.
• It’s for pre- and post-emergent control.
• Mild concentration.

What You Need To Be Aware Of

It might take quite long to kill very deep-rooted weeds.

2. Spectracide Weed Stop For Lawns

This formulation is easy to apply with the use of a spreader or manually. It covers the treatment of the nasty crabgrass. I am sure a lot of you lawn lovers are being given headaches by it. Strictly speaking, weed stop covers over 200 species of weeds. On average, this is what standard herbicides offer on the market. Also regarded as one of best granular weed killer for flower beds.

What’s impressive about this product is the residual effect, which lasts up to 5 months from application. However, this all depends on the characteristic climate of your area. Wet weather tends to reduce this residual effect. Thus unlike bonide treatment, care should be taken concerning proper timing of application.

Additionally, it’s coverage is not as impressive. Only 3000sq.ft of your turf can be treated by 10.8 pounds of the product. The granules on offer are best for actively growing plants though you can also have some pre-emergent ones which do not cater to all weed types.

Pros

• Selective pre-emergent control.
• Broad-spectrum weed killer.
• It can be used with a spreader.
• Good residual control.

What You Need To Be Aware Of

Lower coverage per pound may not be cost-effective.

3.Lilly Miller Noxall Vegetation Killer

This is one of the best granule formulations concerning flexibility on application time. You can apply it in unfavorable weather conditions and still get the same results. Better yet, it’s residual effect lasts up to 1 year. How cool is that? This is owed to the highly potent formulation.

Due to this, planting a few months after treatment might not be a good idea. And it is not recommended for beginners. It is more suited to landscapers and homeowners with some experience in weed control. This is because it tends to function as a non-selective herbicide. Thus if no due diligence is taken, your lawn just might end up being the unintended victim.

These granules are also perfect for clearing large patches of land. Even though the advertised coverage is labeled 1000aq, ft per 10 pounds bag, you can treat a larger area, which is quite fair since you get value for your money.

Pros

• Very potent weed killer.
• The residual effect lasts up to one year, making it difficult for weeds to reappear.
• Not as affected by weather effects
• Good value for your money

What You Need To Be Aware Of

May end up damaging your lawn if used by an inexperienced person.

4. A.M. Leonard Snapshot 2.5 TG

Snapshot 2.5 TG is a pre-emergent herbicide which has characteristics falling in the selective category. It can be used to treat over 111 broad-leafed weeds and the grassy ones on record. It also provides an ideal residual effect for up to 8 months under optimum weather.

This gives you reasonable time for planting or re-seeding your lawn. With this treatment, you can use 4.6 pounds of granules per 1000 sq.ft, which is quite good. It is possible to use half of this figure, especially when the type of weeds in your lawn is not that tough. The active ingredients for the granules are isoxaben and trifluralin, both of which are very potent.

For application purposes, you would want to spread the granules after watering or after rainfall. This will yield the best results. Like any other granules, though, a spreader is more uniform in its application. You can still apply the granules manually if you are without this tool.

Pros

• It targets more than 111 weeds
• Two active ingredients ensure high efficiency.
• Long-lasting residual control.

What You Need To Be Aware Of

It is a more particular kind of herbicide that prompts you to know your weeds.

5. Andersons DG Pro Turf Barricade

This formulation functions as a pre-emergent herbicide. Though it offers excellent weed control, it will not affect any existing weeds. However, It will keep your lawn weed-free for some time to come after land preparation. The best time of applying this kind is in springtime, while your summer lawn thrives.

There will also be potential for weeds to emerge, making the herbicide crucial at this stage. Ideally, you have to get dirty by inserting the granules to a depth of 4 inches into the soil. This granular weed killer works on a wide range of broad leaves and grassy weeds. However, the most impressive ability has to do with how it destroys bluegrass, a far superior and tougher weed.

Though spring is best to deal with most weeds, the notorious bluegrass will require fall applications. With respect to coverage, 18 pounds of DG pro offers treatment on a 5800sq.ft piece of land. In order to cater to those with larger properties, the product is available in 50 pounds bags.

Pros

• You get good value for your money
• It offers excellent coverage.
• Very effective against the tough bluegrass
• Suitable for biannual treatments.

What You Need To Be Aware Of

This product is specifically for pre-emergent control, thus ideal prior to re-seeding your lawn.

Application Practices To Enhance Efficiency.

Though you may end up choosing one of the options provided, you just might end up blaming the product. You are probably wondering why you would have bad results since these are the best on the market? Well, the catch is” wrong application gives terrible results.” Here are some of the practices to carry out to achieve efficiency:

1. Never Mow Lawn Before Or After Application Of Herbicide

The thing is granular herbicides are contact chemicals. This implies that they need good contact with weed leaves to be absorbed and end up killing them.

Mowing before the application of granules reduces this surface contact. On the other hand, doing it post-application disturbs the same contact, then you would end up wondering where you are getting it all wrong. Plan to leave your grass uncut two days after application and five days uncut before the operations.

2. Apply Granules To Damp Turf

This will ensure the granules adhere to the weed leaves by sticking right there like glue.

3. Avoid Watering Two Days After Application

This has the effect of washing away most of the granules before they diffuse into the plant.

4. Stay Off Lawn For One Day

This prevents disturbance of the granules that have been applied. It also serves to avoid their compaction by your footsteps, which would render granules ineffective.

5. Plan Around Rainfall And Sprinkler Application

This will make the granules to effectively stick on larger surface areas of the weeds, as mentioned before. In turn, it would speed up the weed-killing effect. This is important in the event you have planned to re-seeding your lawn.

However, just make sure the turf is slightly a bit damp. Mind you, too much moisture would make the granules ineffective. A good practice is to apply the granules early morning when morning dew is at its peak.

Final Verdict

As you can see, if you fit into “Bill’s” context, no need to panic. All you need to do is to compare or check the products for coverage and whether they are pre-emergence or post-emergence. Going for a more potent formula that offers useful content is what I recommend. This is how you pick the best weed killer for lawns.

Lastly, you should verify if they are selective concerning the kind of weeds they kill. Also, keep on your fingertips the guiding rules which deal with timing the application of the granules. Additionally, do not forget to pay special attention to some maintenance operations.