Best Granular Weed Killers for Your Yard – Effective Pellets

Updated on by Jared Belson | Please note that there may be affiliate links on this page.

If you’re worried that treating your yard means that you have to hire professional landscapers, you’re in for a treat. Using the best granular weed killers doesn’t take a lot of skill, experience, or general know-how.

All you need to do a good job is to follow the instructions, identify the weeds on your property, and then pick a formula that covers the type you have. Choose something you can use all year round, even if this means using two kinds of weed killers, and you’re good to go.

Here are my top picks if you’re ready to take matters into your hands.

Best Granular Weed Killers for Your Home & Yard

If you’re looking for broadleaf and grassy weed treatments, the Bonide BND60476 would be one of my top choices. This formula offers both pre- and post-emergent weed control, and you can use it in cold and warm weather.

One bag of granules can treat up to 5,200sq.ft. I find this to be more than enough, and good value, given the 10lbs offering.

Although the formula works against a variety of broadleafs, I find it best-suited for the following treatments: crabgrass, goosegrass, nutsedge, dandelion, and ground ivy.

The granular application is beginner-friendly and prevents treating with excessive amounts. The moisture-wicking properties of the granules are satisfying too, which is also essential.

I should also mention that the formula doesn’t contain any fertilizer, meaning that it won’t add fuel to the fire.

  • Simple application
  • Wide area coverage
  • Pre- and post-emergent control
  • Mild concentration
  • Takes longer to kill very deep-rooted weeds

Here’s another personal favorite weed killer that’s easy to apply with a spreader - the Spectracide Weed Stop. This particular formula comes with a crabgrass preventer, which should make it appealing for a wide range of homeowners.

The broadleaf weeds it targets totals well over 200 species, which is pretty much the industry standard these days. I like that the residual control does last up to five months, depending on the climate you’re in and the weather conditions around the time of application.

The coverage is not as impressive as in some other products. However, the Spectracide formula treats up to 3,000sq.ft with 10.8lbs of product. That said, its weed-killing efficiency may be slightly better for some broadleafs.

There’s some pre-emergent control too, but not for all weeds. It is still a granulated formula that’s best for actively growing plants.

  • Targeted pre-emergent control
  • Broadspectrum weed killer
  • Can be used with a spreader
  • Good residual control
  • Not the best coverage per pound

The Noxall formula can last up to one year, even in harsh weather conditions. It kills a wide range of weeds and grasses due to its highly potent formulation.

I recommend this product for landscapers and homeowners with some experience in weed control. While it can kill a wide range of things, it can also be overkill in some situations.

Given its potency, the Noxall Vegetation Killer may be best-suited for clearing large patches of land and preparing them for planting the following year. Due to the long-lasting residual control effect, planting a few months after the treatment might not always be a good idea.

The pre-emergent control is excellent, even though its post-emergent weed killer properties are not overly impressive. But some people need that and nothing more, a way to suppress new weeds from growing.

Note that even though the advertised coverage may be 1,000sq.ft for a 10lbs bag, you may treat a larger area. Between the formula’s potency and the broad spectrum weed and grass targeting, it can be easy to overdo it.

  • Potent weed killer
  • Prevents growth for up to one year
  • Not as affected by severe weather patterns
  • Good value for money
  • May require some prior experience to use safely

The Snapshot 2.5 TG is a pre-emergent herbicide. It targets around 111 broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds and provides excellent residual control.

The effects of the treatment should last up to eight months under optimum weather conditions. 4.6lbs of this granulated formula can treat 1,000sq.ft. However, if you don’t have the toughest weeds on your property, you could use half the amount.

This formula is very potent and uses both Isoxaben and Trifluralin. It is slightly more selective in what weeds it targets, but it does a great job. It’s advertised as having a residual control of up to eight months. However, it can last even longer if you use it properly.

I recommend always spreading the granules before watering or before rainfall. You can also do this manually by pushing down the pellets further into the topsoil. That said, spreading before watering will yield better results.

  • Comes in 50lbs bag
  • Targets 111+ weeds
  • Two active ingredients
  • Long-lasting residual control
  • Not as broad-spectrum as some other formulas

The DG Pro formula offers excellent weed control. It is a pre-emergent herbicide that won’t affect any existing weeds but will keep your property clean for months to come after application.

It’s best used in early spring and at a depth of 4” into the soil. The formula can treat for a wide range of broadleafs and grassy weeds. And, it also does an excellent job against bluegrass, which is much tougher to stop than some people think.

I recommend applying some DG Pro in the fall if you’re targeting bluegrass specifically. Of course, proper irrigation is essential for this to work. If you don’t have an irrigation system, you should check weather forecasts and start treating just before the rainfall hits your area.

I should also point out that this barricade offers plenty of coverage too. One 18lbs bag can effectively treat up to 5,800sq.ft. And, if you own a large property, you can also purchase the DG Pro barricade in 50lbs bags.

  • Good value for money
  • Ample coverage
  • Highly effective against bluegrass
  • Great for biannual treatments
  • Only offers pre-emergent control

Pre-Emergent vs. Post-Emergent Weed Killers

While some weed killers kill actively growing weeds and prevent new ones from springing up too, the majority of herbicides fall into two categories – pre-emergent and post-emergent.

A pre-emergent herbicide is a formula that prevents new weeds from growing and can be applied in early spring or early fall. Depending on the type of plants you’re trying to stop. You can spread some pre-emergent herbicides as early as February as snow will help them sink deeper into the soil and root out weeds.

Post-emergent herbicides offer very little residual control. However, they can quickly target grown weeds and kill them. Unfortunately, not all of these formulations also go deep enough to eradicate the root system.

Hence the reason why using a combination of both types is best for year-round weed control.

Are All All-Purpose Formulas Good?

In my experience, no. Different ingredients affect weeds in different ways, depending on their growth stages. It’s hard to develop one product that does it all.

Therefore, most post-emergent weed killers that also have a pre-emergent component may only prevent some of the listed broadleafs and grassy weeds from growing.

For the best results, I recommend targeted pre-emergent and post-emergent treatments. Depending on what’s affecting your lawn, what time of year it is, and so on.

Granules vs. Liquid Weed Killers

Regarding this debate, I will say that both types of weed treatments have their merits. But in some situations, I prefer using granules or pellets because they offer a safer approach.

You see, some herbicides are so potent and deadly to a wide range of plants, that a liquid formula would be too difficult or dangerous to use.

Liquid formulas are either best-suited for spot treatments or broadcasting applications when you’re looking to clear out large patches of land.

Of course, some formulas are mild, and you can use them safely on lawns, regardless of how much you spray.

However, granules are safer to use and much easier to spread uniformly. Furthermore, they react better when they come in contact with water. On the other hand, some liquid formulas that can get too diluted if it rains too soon after application.

Coverage Is Important

My advice is to take the advertised coverage with a grain of salt. That said, it is vital if you want to get the most bang for your buck.

You’ll notice that not all products that come in 10lbs bags will offer the same square foot coverage. So, if you’re low on cash, I suggest going with a more potent formula that can provide better coverage.

Some of your other plants may also be affected because of the more potent active ingredients. But, in some cases, that’s worth the risk if your weeds are getting out of control.

Do You Always Need a Spreader?

In my opinion, you don’t. A spreader helps with evenly spreading granules and pellets over weed-infested patches of land.

With that in mind, you can also spread granules manually, especially if you’re targeting smaller patches of land.

I will also point out that spreaders often come with different settings and calibrations. And, not all manufacturers take into account the various spreaders and how each should be used to spread their granules or pellets.

Take Control of Your Yard with the Best Granular Weed Killers

A weed-infested lawn is not just an unhealthy lawn, but it can also make your whole property look untidy.

If you want your yard to remain beautiful and healthy all year-round, it’s time you take matters into your own hands and kill your weeds. Granules offer a safe approach even for inexperienced homeowners, and they can also be very cheap for what they offer.

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