With so many weed killers on the Australian market, it’s difficult to know which one will be the best weed killer for your lawn.

As well as having a wide selection to choose from, you need to make sure that the one you choose doesn’t harm your lawn and is suitable for the weeds you have.

There are three main types of weed killers and each one targets weeds differently. It’s important to know what type of weed you are targeting before you can choose the best weed killer.

Once you’ve identified the type of weeds you need to control, you can choose the right type and then determine which weed killer will be best for you.

Not all weed killers will be effective for all types of weeds.

In Australia there are many different weed killers with different ingredients, they all fall under one of three main types of weed killer:

• Pre-emergent
• Selective
• Non-selective

All of these act differently and will treat either different weeds or different stages of a weed’s lifecycle.

Because of this, the best weed killer for clover in lawns may not be the same as the best dandelion weed killer for lawns.

Pre-emergent weed killer targets weeds before they’ve had the chance to germinate. This preventative method forms a barrier at the soil level and stops new seedlings from growing.

Lasting roughly 3 months, you would need to reapply pre-emergent each season but are a great choice if you’ve previously had a problem with weeds such as Wintergrass.

This type of weed killer is by far the best winter weed killer for lawns as it doesn’t affect the growth of your grass.

As the name suggests, selective weed killers affect specific types of weeds depending on the ingredients.

This is typically the best spring weed killer for lawns as weeds will have already sprung but this type of herbicide doesn’t harm most varieties of grass.

If you have DNA Certified Sir Walter Buffalo Grass, you should ensure that you always read the label of selective herbicides as some do affect broadleaf grass varieties.

Non-selective weed killers are not fussy about what they kill. They will destroy pretty much any plant life that they come in contact with, including your lawn.

This makes them incredibly strong and effective for tough weeds but also means you have to be extra careful when you apply.

You’ll also need to ensure your pets don’t go near any of the areas where this herbicide has been applied.

If a non-selective herbicide is what you need for the type of weed that’s invading your lawn, you may want to consider using a weed wand to make applying the herbicide easier and more precise.

Once you know which type of weed killer you need, it’s time to pick from the wide variety of brands that are on offer. Ultimately, the best weed killer will be the one that meets your individual needs.

In order to choose the right one for you, you should consider the following requirements:

Natural Weed Killers

Do you need it to be pet friendly?

If you are out looking for the best weed killer for lawns with dogs, you may want to consider natural or organic weed killers.

Choosing pet friendly lawn care products is incredibly important if you have pets as most herbicides are incredibly poisonous if they are ingested.

Liquid Weed Killers

Is this weed killer the right size for the area you need to cover? For smaller areas, a ready-to-use herbicide is simple and more convenient to apply as it won’t need diluting with water.

For larger areas, however, these becoming quite costly and a more economical choice is weed killer concentrate.

Broadleaf Weed Killers

Is it harmless to your variety of grass? Some types of selective weed killers can negatively affect certain types of grass.

For example, many broadleaf weed killers will affect buffalo grass in the same way it targets the broadleaf weeds. You should always check the label to ensure that your grass won’t be harmed by the selective herbicide.

When possible, prevention is key. If weeds haven’t germinated yet, we would suggest a pre-emergent such as Oxafert.

By applying this each season, you’ll stop annual and broadleaf weeds from growing without affecting the root growth of your lawn.

Oxafert also has the added benefit of containing a small amount of fertiliser which will give you lawn a pick-me-up as you go.

Best Weed Killer for Clover, Dandelion

For weeds such as Creeping Oxalis, Bindii, Catsear, Clovers and Dandelion, a selective herbicide is the best choice.

The Amgrow Bin-Die weed killer is a great choice as it has been specially formulated for use on Buffalo lawns such as DNA Certified Sir Walter Grass.

However, if you need a stronger weed killer for weeds such as Wintergrass or Onionweed, a non-selective weed killer such as Yates Zeroaqua is the best liquid weed killer for lawns.

As it is non-selective, you’ll need to be very careful while applying it and ensure that it isn’t going to rain in the next couple of days.

After choosing the best weed killer for your lawn, you’ll need to apply it correctly to achieve effective results.

• Choose the best time to apply the herbicide. It’s always best to ensure that it isn’t about to rain in the next couple of days as this will either dilute your weed killer or cause it to spread to areas you didn’t want it.
• You should also make sure that you haven’t just mown your lawn as this could cause extra stress on your lawn.
• It’s also important to apply your weed killer before the weed has the chance to seed, otherwise, the weeds will simply reappear.
• Read the labels thoroughly to make sure you are using the right equipment and are heeding to the precautions.
• You should also dilute your weed killer as per the instructions. Anything too strong and you risk harming your garden and lawn, whereas if it’s too weak, it won’t be effective, and you’ll have to start again.
• Before you apply, you should make sure that any pets or children are out of harm’s way and can’t get back onto the grass before it’s safe again.
• Apply the weed killer as the weed killer label instructs.
• Don’t water your lawn for a couple of days and keep an eye out over the next week to see how effective the weed killer was.
• Some weed killers may require a couple of applications before they get rid of all your weeds.

Choosing the best weed killer for lawns means taking a few things into consideration.

You need to ensure that it is the right weed killer for your individual requirements and your lawn’s needs.

However, once you do choose the best one for you, your lawn will be able to grow without competing for nutrients with the weeds. It’ll also be a nicer area for your pets and children to relax and play.