Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
If dandelions have turned your lawn into a yellow-spotted mess, you need a product that hits them hard where it counts — the root — without scorching your grass. The right weed and feed does both: feeds your lawn into a thicker, healthier state while wiping out broadleaf invaders, so those dandelions don’t bounce back next season.
I’m Rikta — the founder and writer behind Lawn Gear Lab. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
From granular broadcast applications covering 16,000 sq. ft. to ready-to-spray liquid bottles for smaller yards, here is the lawn weed and feed for dandelions that actually delivers on its promises.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Lawn Weed And Feed For Dandelions
Not all weed and feed products are built alike. Some rely on a quick dose of nitrogen to green up your grass but use a weak herbicide that lets dandelions regrow in weeks. Others pack a post-emergent punch that kills dandelions down to the taproot, preventing them from spreading. Here are the three things to check before you buy.
Granular vs. Liquid Application
Granular weed and feed, like the ones you spread with a walk-behind or handheld spreader, feeds the soil as it breaks down and attacks weeds from the root zone. They are ideal for large lawns over 5,000 sq. ft. because one bag covers a lot of ground. Liquid formulas come with a hose-end sprayer or a QuickFlip sprayer and hit the leaves of the weed directly, so you see results faster — often within a week. Choose granular for coverage and convenience, choose liquid for speed.
N-P-K Ratio (The Nitrogen Power)
The three numbers on the bag — like 21-0-3 or 16-0-9 — tell you the percentages of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. For dandelion control you want a high first number (N) because nitrogen fuels leaf and blade growth in your grass, helping it fill in the bare spots the dandelion left behind. A product with 20% or 21% nitrogen will green up your lawn noticeably within a couple of weeks.
Coverage Area and Particle Size
Always match the product’s coverage to your lawn’s actual square footage. A 15 lb bag covering 5,000 sq. ft. is right for a quarter-acre lot; a 40 lb bag covering 16,000 sq. ft. suits a full acre. Fine particles help each square inch get a more even dose of herbicide and fertilizer, reducing missed spots where dandelions survive.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Coverage | Form | N-P-K | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2★ Best Overall | Smaller yards, fast action | 6,000 sq. ft. | Liquid spray | Nitrogen (17-0-9) | Amazon |
| The Andersons Professional SurgeAlso Great | Large lawns, professional-grade results | 16,000 sq. ft. | Granules | 16-0-9 | Amazon |
| Spectracide Weed & Feed 20-0-0 | Quick liquid knockdown | 7,500 sq. ft. per bottle | Liquid | 20-0-0 | Amazon |
| Scotts WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed | Seasonal fall prevention | 4,000 sq. ft. | Granule | — | Amazon |
| Jonathan Green Green-Up Weed & Feed | Feeding for up to 3 months | 5,000 sq. ft. | Granule | 21-0-3 | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Scotts Liquid Turf Builder with Plus 2 Weed Control
Our pick — over 4★ from 36,000+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
A light, hose-end spray that hits dandelions fast on smaller lawns.
This liquid formula is the lightest option on the list at just 0.5 pounds — you can carry it in one hand and attach it to your garden hose in seconds. It covers up to 6,000 sq. ft. (4,000 sq. ft. for cool-season lawns), making it a natural fit for a quarter-acre suburban yard. The broadleaf weed killer targets dandelions, clover, buckhorn, chickweed, ground ivy, henbit, knotweed, lambsquarters, oxalis, pigweed, plantain, poison ivy, ragweed, and spurge.
Shoppers say it “killed plantain, dollar weed, clover in one week; Japanese clover took two weeks.” The fertilizer part — a quick dose of nitrogen — helps your lawn grow thicker and fuller. A key tip from reviews: apply the granules to wet weeds and do not water for 2-3 days to avoid burn spots. The catch is that it does not kill crabgrass or clover well according to some users, so if your lawn has mixed weed types beyond dandelions, you may need a second product.
What Makes It Easy
- Ultra-light at 0.5 pounds with a hose-end sprayer included
- Kills dandelions plus a long list of broadleaf weeds
- Quick nitrogen boost greens up the lawn noticeably
Where It Falls Short
- Less effective on crabgrass and some clover
- Smells chemical during application
- Keep pets off for 24+ hours after spraying
Best for small yards and quick jobs: If your lawn is under 6,000 sq. ft. and dandelions are your main enemy, this light sprayer is the easiest application method available.
Watch for this: It struggles with crabgrass and some clover types, so check your weed list before buying.
2. The Andersons Professional Surge Weed and Feed 16-0-9
The heavy lifter that covers a full acre with professional-grade muscle.
For anyone managing a large lawn — think a half-acre or more — this is the most efficient dandelion zapper on the list. It covers a massive 16,000 sq. ft., while a standard liquid bottle covers 6,000 sq. ft., so you fill your spreader far less often. The small particle size means more contact points per square inch of lawn, so the herbicide hits broadleaf weeds like dandelions, clover, chickweed, and plantain without missing spots.
Buyers report switching from Scott’s after years of disappointment and found The Andersons “killed the weeds fast.” The 16-0-9 ratio (Nitrogen-Potassium with zero Phosphorus) feeds a thicker, greener lawn over the entire growing season even when applied in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. One review notes timing is everything — use a pre-emergent first, then The Andersons surge — and the results are night and day.
What Stands Out
- Covers 16,000 sq. ft. per bag — best for large lawns
- Professional-grade four-way herbicide kills over 250 weeds
- Fine particles deliver even coverage across every square foot
Things to Know
- At 40 pounds it is quite heavy to carry
- Not for use on Floratam St. Augustine or dichondra
- Not sold in NH or WA
The one for big yards: If your lawn measures 10,000 sq. ft. or more and dandelions are entrenched, this professional-grade granular feed saves you time and money per treatment.
Watch for this: The bag is heavy (40 lbs) and it is not suitable for certain warm-season grasses like Floratam St. Augustine.
3. Spectracide Weed & Feed 20-0-0, 3 Count
Liquid shotgun approach that turns dandelions white within days.
When you want to see results this weekend — not next month — this ready-to-use liquid with its QuickFlip sprayer changes the game. It delivers 20% nitrogen (the highest nitrogen concentration in this lineup) straight to the blades, which means your grass greens up fast while the herbicide goes to work on broadleaf weeds. A single 32-ounce bottle treats up to 7,500 sq. ft., and the three-pack includes one reusable nozzle and three bottles of product, so you can cover a 15,000 sq. ft. property or treat a neighbor’s share.
Owners mention “the weeds are turning white and dying off” within days of application. One reviewer with a 2,400 sq. ft. home found one bottle sprayed the entire yard — front, back, and sides. The liquid volume is 96 fl. oz. total across the pack, while a standard 32 fl. oz. Scotts liquid bottle is smaller, so you get more firepower per purchase. The catch is that broadleaf weeds like lawn violets may need three treatments, and the price has risen noticeably compared to prior years.
Fast Action
- 20% nitrogen feeds and greens quickly
- Liquid formula kills dandelions, chickweed, clover, and plantain fast
- Three-pack covers up to 22,500 sq. ft. total
Considerations
- Stubborn weeds like lawn violets may need reapplying
- Price has gone up significantly year-over-year
- Sprayer quality varies according to some reviews
Grab it for speed: If you want visible weed death in under a week and the convenience of spray-and-go, this liquid three-pack is your best bet for medium-sized yards.
skip it if: You prefer a slow-release granular feed that builds soil over the whole season.
4. Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed
The autumn app that stops spring dandelions before they start.
Timing matters for dandelion control, and this granular bag from Scotts is built specifically for fall application — when dandelions are pulling nutrients down into their taproots for winter. Apply it on a wet lawn when temperatures sit consistently between 60°F and 90°F, and the herbicide targets over 50 listed weeds including dandelion, clover, plantain, and chicory. One 11.28 lb bag covers 4,000 sq. ft., while the Jonathan Green bag covers 5,000 sq. ft., but the WinterGuard formula is designed to eliminate dandelions and prevent regrowth into next spring.
Customers note the product “eliminates dandelions and prevents regrowth,” with some seeing transformed lawns in just one month. It works across seven grass types including Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Fescue, and Zoysiagrass. The catch is that you apply it on a dry day with rain forecast days later — not easy to time — and it becomes less effective if applied in very cold weather.
Why It Works
- Kills over 50 listed weeds including dandelion, clover, plantain
- Prevents dandelion regrowth through next spring
- Works on 7 different grass types
The Timing Challenge
- Covers only 4,000 sq. ft. — smaller than the Jonathan Green bag
- Must be applied when temperatures are 60-90°F and rain is forecast
- Less effective in cold weather
Best for seasonal planning: If you want to stop dandelions from taking over next spring, apply this in early fall when the weather is still warm.
Not ideal for: Quick rescue jobs in summer — this one is a preventive, not an emergency spray.
5. Jonathan Green (12344) Green-Up Weed & Feed – 21-0-3
A slow-release feed that sustains lawn growth for up to three months.
This granular product from Jonathan Green packs the highest nitrogen content in the list at 21-0-3, plus a slow-release formula that feeds your lawn for up to three months after a single application. It controls over 250 broadleaf weeds including dandelions, chickweed, clover, wild onions, thistle and poison ivy. The 15 lb bag covers up to 5,000 sq. ft., while the Scotts WinterGuard bag covers 4,000 sq. ft.
One reviewer noted the lawn got “nice and green” after applying as directed — but noted the weeds also greened up, which underscores an important truth: granular weed and feed sometimes takes longer to kill dandelions than a liquid spray. The fine particle size is designed to feed desirable grass longer while weeds gradually die down to the root. The best application windows are late spring or early fall, and you cannot use it at the same time you are seeding a new lawn.
The Big Draw
- 21-0-3 feeds for up to 3 months — longest sustained feeding
- Controls over 250 broadleaf weeds, one of the widest coverage
- Fine particles for even distribution across 5,000 sq. ft.
Heads Up
- Some reviewers point out weeds green up before dying
- Small bag for the weight — 15 lbs covers 5,000 sq. ft.
- Bag may contain clumps that are hard to break down
Reach for this if: You want the longest sustained feeding period (three months) with a high-nitrogen boost that fills in bare spots while attacking dandelions.
Look elsewhere if: You need instant visual weed death — the granular formula takes longer than a liquid spray.
Understanding the Specs
N-P-K Ratio
The three numbers on the bag — a product like 21-0-3 — represent Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Nitrogen (N) is the key number for dandelion recovery because it pushes grass to produce new green blades, helping the lawn fill the gaps left by dying weeds. A higher first number, like 20 or 21, leads to a faster and more visible green-up in the first two weeks.
Post-Emergent vs. Preventative
Post-emergent herbicides attack actively growing weeds above ground. They are the standard for dandelions you can see right now. Some weed-and-feed products are designed for early fall application as a preventative, attacking dandelions as they store energy for winter, which stops them from reappearing the following spring. The label will say “post-emergent” or “controls” specific weeds.
FAQ
Will weed and feed kill dandelions without harming my grass?
Should I use granular or liquid weed and feed for dandelions?
How long does it take for weed and feed to kill dandelions?
Can I apply weed and feed before rain?
When is the best time of year to apply weed and feed for dandelions?
What is the difference between WinterGuard and regular Scotts Turf Builder?
How many square feet does a typical bag cover?
Can I use weed and feed on a new lawn or after overseeding?
Is weed and feed safe for dogs and kids?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
Across the board, the lawn weed and feed for dandelions winner is the The Andersons Professional Surge because it covers the largest area with professional-grade herbicide and feeds the lawn over the whole growing season. If you want fast liquid knockdown this weekend, grab the Spectracide Weed & Feed 20-0-0. And for preventing dandelion regrowth next spring, the standout is the Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed applied in autumn.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of July 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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