Weeds are a natural part of every landscape. They can be suppressed and controlled timely through the controlling techniques but can never get rid of them permanently.
That’s why the routine visit of yards and lawns is recommended to control weeds before their total growth. Otherwise, the only way to control them is once they get established is the best post-emergent herbicides.
Most people have a busy routine, so they could not give a routine visit to yards, and as a result, the weeds sprout everywhere in the yard. Now left only two ways to eradicate them, i.e., pulling them out manually or the post-emergent herbicides.
Pulling these nasty, pesky plants will take many hours and leave you tired even with uncompleted work. So, the best option is to use a post-emergent herbicide.
Post-emergent herbicides do work on the specific type of plants having particular characters. Some kill the above-ground portion of plants, but some are much active and kill the plants to roots.
Once you notice the weeds invading your landscape and have the best practice to identify them, it will be much easier for you to choose the best herbicides for weeds. But, from the vast market of herbicides, it will never be easy to select the top and best post-emergent herbicide.
I, too, faced all of these problems in my earlier landscaping stages but repeatedly failed to build my experience, and now I could easily manage my home yards without any guidance.
To share my experience and knowledge with you fellows, I build this guide specific to the post-emergent herbicides products, reviews, consumer response, and the methods of controlling the weeds through post-emergent.
Let’s start with the fundamental knowledge of post-emergent herbicides and how they work. Understanding both these points will let you ease in choosing the desired herbicide.
What are Post Emergent Herbicides?
Post-emergent herbicides ultimately show by their name that they are the herbicides that are applied to the already existing weeds. These herbicides kill the ugly little heads sprouting on the lawn.
Majorly the two types of herbicides are used for controlling weeds, i.e., pre and post-emergent herbicides. Pre-emergents are applied before the germination of weeds after examining any signs of weeds. But once you cannot get them controlled before germination, the only solution left is to apply post-emergent herbicides.
Using post-emergent herbicides are many active chemicals that kill existing weeds as well as helps the weeds control in the future. But a wide range of post-emergent herbicides types provides versatility in function to ease you in killing the specific weeds.
Most of the post-emergent herbicides substantially impact the foliage and move systemically in the plant’s body to the roots. These post-emergent herbicides come in granular as well as spray forms.
That’s why it is advised to read the herbicides’ instructions and features before buying one. All the herbicides have control for specific weeds, and applying the herbicides on the grass type that is not mentioned as safe on bottles may get harm badly by chemicals.
Before moving to the best post-emergent herbicides product reviews, have a small reading of the buying guide. It will help you with the best type of post-emergent herbicide.
Buying Guide: Which Post-Emergent Herbicide is Best for My Lawn?
Before choosing a post-emergent herbicide, keep in mind some essential tips and guidance tips. Firstly, you should be clear about your type of grass and what weeds you will control.
All herbicides have clear instructions regarding the function and weed type control. If the grass type of your lawn is mentioned safer by the manufacturer, then buy it. Otherwise, applying the wrong herbicide will damage the turf and beauty of the yard.
Post-emergent herbicides are selected based on their functions and active agents in the formulation. These are the two major types of post-emergent herbicides.
Selective Vs. Nonselective Herbicides
Post-emergent herbicides are classified into these two types:
Selective herbicide
Selective herbicides are formulated explicitly for controlling the specific type of weeds and do not harm the other weed types. It is mentioned on the product about the weeds type control and its way of action.
The herbicide’s selectivity is as the some are designed to kill the just broadleaf weeds, and some are to kill grassy weeds. Each of these herbicides will not harm the other type.
Similarly, season-specific herbicides do not harm warm-season grasses but affect the cool-season grasses or vice versa.
Nonselective herbicide
These herbicides have potent active ingredients that kill all the green matter or foliage it touches. Such herbicides are the best solution for controlling weeds in places where you don’t want vegetation, like driveways, sidewalks, or fences.
In use in gardens or yards, the best method is spot application to save the desired plants.
After selecting the selective or nonselective herbicide, the second thing to notice in herbicide is a mode of action, i.e., systemic activity or contact mode of action.
Systemic vs. Contact herbicides
Systemic post emergent herbicides
Systemic herbicides kill the plants or foliage to roots and destroy the weeds from inside leaves to roots. Such herbicides have a significant advantage in that these weeds will not grow again.
Most of the herbicides have a systemic mode of action. The only drawback of these herbicides is that they can take several days to work.
Contact post emergent herbicides
Contact or nonsystemic herbicides act on the above-ground portion of plants or weeds. These herbicides burn entirely out the green foliage on which it falls but do not disturb the roots.
Contact herbicides kill the leaves and starve the plant due to photosynthesis. Besides fast work than systemic herbicides, these herbicides leave the chance of reappearance of weeds from roots.
Reviews: Best post emergent herbicides
1. RM43 43-Percent Glyphosate Plus Weed Preventer Total Vegetation Control
RM43 is a top-quality post-emergent herbicide combining two chemicals, i.e., glyphosate and Imazapyr. Both of these ingredients make the herbicide a great weed controller.
The premium feature of this herbicide is that it has no limitation for the entry of children and pets until the drying of chemicals. It is safe for children and pets.
The other great thing about this post-emergent herbicide is its mix of surfactants that helps the chemical stick to the leaves’ surface.
Combining two chemicals makes it a robust and active herbicide that kills the weeds and prevents the next coming year.
It is an excellent choice for controlling the weeds along driveways, sidewalks, fence rows, gravel paths. The spray application of this herbicide can be made on bare ground and the spot killing of bushes, weeds, and vines.
Features
- Non selective herbicide
- Systemic
- 43 percent glyphosate
- Surfactant mixed in chemical
- Covers more than 17000 square feet
2. Compare-N-Save 016869 Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer
Compare-N-Save is a concentrated formula for killing the post-emergent weeds. This product is among the top-selling herbicides in the USA, proving excellent results.
Compare-N-Save is a well-known producer of herbicides and other chemicals for lawn and garden improvements. They have good fame among the gardeners and professional growers by their quality.
This 41% active agent (glyphosate) herbicide is a much-concentrated formula that means you can make a lot of sprays.
The great thing about this herbicide is that it is rainproof for 2 hours, making it an excellent choice for rainy areas.
It has a highly active agent that kills all the types of plants, weeds, or desired plants it touches. So, it would be best to be careful about its application in yards. Spot application is recommended in yards for killing the weeds at the spot.
Features
- Nonselective herbicide
- Systemic formula
- Covers more than 25000 square feet
- Ready to use spray
- 41% glyphosate
- Kills all the green foliage to roots
3. Blindside Herbicide WDG 8 oz. Post-Emergent Broadleaf Weed Killer
Blindside Herbicide is a selective post-emergent herbicide and an excellent choice for killing broadleaf weeds. Blindside is a heavy-duty formula that kills the broadleaf weeds in less time due to its high concentration.
The premium feature of this herbicide is the high concentration of active agents that kill the present weeds and suppress them in the future.
It comprises 60% Sulfentrazone and 6% Metsulfuron, collectively making the highly concentrated formula to control the broad leaves in yards and lawns.
This concentrated formula works great in both warm and cool temperatures. It targets the leaves and the roots of weeds and kills them permanently without leaving any chance of their regrowth.
This formula for cool-season grass is 0.075-015 oz. per 1000 square feet while 0.15-0.23 oz. per 1000 sq.ft.
Features
- Selective herbicide
- Systemic formula
- Kills broadleaves i.e. chickweed, crabgrass, clover, black medic. Nutsedge, dandelion, wild onion and garlic.
- Kills black medic, barnyard grass and henbit
- Kills both leaves and roots
- Works in both warm and cool temperatures
- Covers almost 50000 sq.ft.
4. Fiesta Selective Post-Emergent Turf Weed Killer
Fiesta post-emergent weed killer is a selective weed killer that controls the broadleaf weeds in yards and gardens. You might be new to this manufacturer, but this producer has excellent fame among professionals due to its safety to pets and outstanding results in killing weeds.
The premium feature of this herbicide is the selective nature of this formula to kill weeds and moss while additionally suppressing diseases.
It is featured with patented technology having visible results within 24 hours of application.
It works the same in hot and cold temperatures.
The great thing about this herbicide is rain-fast within 3 hours. Furthermore, it does not have any odor of liquid herbicide and is hazardous to pets and children.
It is better to apply in playgrounds, parks, cemeteries, sports fields, and golf courses.
Features
- Selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds
- Kills weeds and moss
- Prevents the lawn diseases attack
- Visible results in 24 hours
- Cover up to 10000 sq.ft.
- A great alternative to synthetic chemicals
5. Roundup Weed & Grass Killer Concentrate Plus
Roundup weed and grass killer is a nonselective, contact, and systemic herbicide for killing the weeds in yards and paths. Roundup weed killer is a top-rated product among weed-controlling professionals.
This premium quality herbicide can kill all types of tough weeds and grasses to the roots. It kills the weeds permanently and prevents their regrowth.
This herbicide’s shiny feature is impressive active agent concentration, i.e., Glyphosate and diquat dibromide. Both are highly active agents for killing the green foliage. Diquat ensures the prevention of regrowth of weeds in that area again.
It is a liquid formula and ready to apply by just mixing in a tank sprayer.
The great thing is the rainproof nature of this herbicide, i.e., 30 minutes. This feature adds the product to the most loving herbicide in cold regions.
It is mainly used to kill the weeds in walkways, driveways, gravel areas, and mulch beds. But make sure to cover the desired plants with plastic sheets to avoid contact with the chemicals.
Features
- Nonselective formula
- Contact and systemic herbicide
- Kills all tough grasses and weeds
- Kills leaves to roots
- Best for patios, walkways, and driveways
- Visible results in 12 hours
- Rainproof for 30 minutes
6. Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed & Grass Killer (2.5 Gallon) No Hormone Disrupting Chemicals
Doctor Kirchner is a natural weed killer to control the weeds in yards and the lawn and garden. It is called the best natural weed killer herbicide due to its natural ingredients used in the making.
The premium benefit of this herbicide is that it has no chemical effects, so it makes it safe for kids and pets. It blocks the plant’s body functions and makes them dead in no time.
This natural weed killer comprises ocean saltwater, commercial strength food-grade vinegar, and soap. These ingredients have a natural role in blocking and disturbing the plant’s mechanisms.
The great thing about this natural weed killer is safe to use around kids. It is a natural and environmentally friendly product.
It is not commonly proposed to use in lawns as it is not a selective weed killer, so that it could harm the lawn. It is advised to use on bare lands, paths, and gravel blocks.
The premium feature of this natural herbicide is that it has no mixing of any chemical, glyphosate, or other toxic agents.
Features
- Natural weed killer
- Contains no chemical, toxic agent or glyphosate
- Safe to use around childs and pets
- Leaves the environment unharmed
- No mixing
7. Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER
Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D is a selective post-emergent herbicide that has an excellent performance in killing broadleaf weeds. This herbicide application becomes dead from dandelions to clover, poison ivy to chickweed.
Being a selective herbicide, it is a perfect choice for spraying over the grasses as it never harms the grass and attacks only broadleaved weeds.
Southern’s herbicide is featured with 46% active agents, i.e., 2,4-D. It is a robust and active agent for killing plants by blocking the plant body mechanisms.
Keeping the children out of the lawn after the application is the only care of such a potent and highly concentrated formula. As it is a strong chemical, it could be hazardous for children.
The application of this herbicide is much simpler and more accessible. All you need is mixing 2-3 tablespoons of concentrate in 3-5 gallons of water. Apply the solution through any sprayer.
This product comes in 32 oz. package that is enough for covering 20000 sq. ft. lawn area.
Features
- Selective herbicide
- Kills broadleaf weeds
- Highly active
- Safe for grasses mentioned on label
- 46% active agents
- Cover more than 20000 sq.ft.
8. PBI/Gordon 652400 Speed Zone Lawn Weed Killer
Gordon’s speed zone lawn weed killer is a fast-acting selective weed killer. This post-emergent herbicide is an excellent choice for persons looking for a selective herbicide and who want to get rid of weeds in the grass-covered lawn.
The premium feature of this product is the versatility of weed control. It controls more than 100 broadleaf weeds, i.e., wild garlic, violet, clover, and charlie.
It has 2,4-D as an active agent that kills the plants by blocking their body mechanisms. The concentration of 2,4-D is 28.57% in this product that is an impressive figure for a contact herbicide.
Being a contact herbicide, it shows the results within hours and complete killing in 1-2 weeds according to the type of the weed.
This herbicide’s premium and shiny features are its superior results in cool weather as the herbicides work slowly due to the slow uptake of herbicides. But this speed zone herbicide overcame this issue and formulated this product that works fast in cool weather.
Features
- Selective herbicide
- Contact herbicide formula
- Kills broadleaf weeds
- Kills more than 100 broadleaf weeds
- Cover more than 14300 sq. ft.
- Works fast in cool weather
9. BioAdvanced 704140 All-in-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Killer Garden Herbicide
Bio-Advanced All-in-one weed and grass killer is a selective herbicide for killing the broadleaf weeds in lawns and grounds.
The premium feature of this post-emergent herbicide is that it can be used to kill more than 200 broadleaf weeds like dandelion and clover.
It consists of multiple active agents like 2,4-D, Quinclorac, and Dicamba. These active agents collectively act on the weeds and kill them to the roots.
The mode of action of this herbicide is unique as it just acts on broadleaf weeds and kills their root system, and does not cause 1% harm to the lawn grass.
This herbicide has impressive rainproof time as 1 hour that is enough to kill any tough weeds to root.
Features
- Selective herbicide
- Kills broadleaf weeds
- Kills more than 200 weeds
- Controls dandelions and crabgrass
- Does not harm lawn
- Rainproof for 1 hour
When to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides
The best time for applying the post-emergent herbicides is the late spring season because the weeds are small and active growth stages in this season. The application of herbicides during this stage will get easier control of weeds and kill them entirely to roots.
Besides late spring applications, they give desired results during summer application but need more care and frequent applications. Post-emergent herbicide can also be used on weeds preparing for winter.
Using a Post-Emergent Herbicide
Before using or applying post-emergent herbicide, consider following these steps and tips to get the desired results.
- The best and optimum temperature for the application of post emergent herbicide is below 85 degrees F. If you apply herbicides at high temperatures, it will burn the lawn.
- Not only the environmental temperature affects the herbicides, but also soil temperature impacts the results of herbicides. The optimal value for post-emergent herbicide application is soil temperature above 55 degrees. Because the herbicides do not work if the ground is frozen.
- It is great to not mow the lawn before and after the post-emergent application. It will give more time to chemical absorbance.
- The optimal time for application is morning so plants can metabolize better.
- If the lawn is under stress, you will not get the desired results. So, it is better to wait until the lawn condition gets better.
- Some herbicides need watering just after the herbicide application. And some prevent the water or rain and work in dry conditions after application. So check the weather forecast and do an application accordingly.
How to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides
After choosing a type of post-emergent herbicide, now it’s time to apply it to plants. These are the following two methods of application.
1. Spot application
Spot treatment focuses on the weeds or any plants to which it is applied. Bob selective herbicides are commonly recommended with spot application.
Mix the herbicide with water in the backpack sprayer or hand pump tank and apply as per instructions. Apply it over the specific plans as it will kill any plants it touches.
2. Blanket application
If most yard area is covered under weeds, then the blanket treatment will be the better solution. Apply the emergent herbicides by mixing with water or granules through a spreader.
Apply evenly across the lawn and sweep the granules along the sidewalk and driveway into the lawn.
With both of these treatments, weeds can be controlled but have different application modes. Ensure to keep the pets and children away from the lawn after application. Be sure to wear PPE, including closed-toe shoes, gloves, long sleeves, and pants.
Additional tips
- Some post-emergent herbicides need surfactant that will increase the rate of absorption and stickiness to the leaves. Some herbicides are ready to apply surfactant. Make sure to read the label and apply it accordingly.
- You may add the spray indicator dye to the herbicide that helps to see the parts of the plant where the spray is done. It helps for even application and remains available for some days.
Final Words
Choosing the best post-emergent herbicide is never so easy as the vast sea of herbicides is present in the market. All of these are mixed up, having slow to fast action. Selecting the best and right one for your lawn weeds can be challenging for you without any guidance.
To overcome these issues, I build this guide on the best post-emergent herbicides having a wide range of product reviews. All types of selective to nonselective, systemic to contact herbicides are reviewed in this article. According to my personal experience, RM43 43-Percent Glyphosate Plus Weed Preventer performs excellent for controlling all types of weeds.
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