Applying a weed and feed in spring knocks out the broadleaf weeds that sprout in your lawn and gives your grass the nutrients it needs to grow thick and green — all in one trip with a spreader. The best product for you depends on how many weeds you have, how big your lawn is, and whether you also want to stop crabgrass before it starts.
I’m Rikta — the co-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.
Below are the top five options ranked by coverage, weed-killing power, and feeding duration. This helps you pick the right weed and feed for spring without wasting money on a product that does not fit your yard.
How To Choose The Best Weed And Feed For Spring
Weed and feed products combine a herbicide (the weed killer) with a fertilizer (the grass food) so you handle both jobs in one pass. But formulas differ a lot. Here are the three things to check before you buy.
Coverage and Bag Size
A bag that looks huge might cover a small area, and a heavy bag might treat a large one. Always check the square-foot coverage number instead of the weight. For example, a 39 lb bag covering 15,000 sq ft gives you far more value per pound than a 15 lb bag covering 5,000 sq ft if your lawn is on the bigger side.
Weed List and Grass-Type Safety
Some products kill over 250 broadleaf weeds while others only claim control over 50. If your lawn has stubborn weeds like creeping Charlie, wild onion, or poison ivy, you want a formula that names them specifically. Important: many weed-and-feed products can seriously damage or kill Floratam St. Augustine grass, so if you live in Florida or have that grass type, read the label carefully before applying.
Nitrogen Release and Feeding Duration
Nitrogen is what greens up the grass, but too much too fast can burn your lawn. Look for slow-release nitrogen that feeds gradually. The best formulas provide consistent feeding for 8 to 12 weeks, meaning one spring application can carry your lawn through the entire growing season without needing another round.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GreenView Broadleaf Weed Control Plus Lawn Food | Premium | Large lawns needing bigger coverage | 15,000 sq ft per bag | Amazon |
| The Andersons Professional Surge | Premium | Professional-grade weed control | 16,000 sq ft per bag | Amazon |
| Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed5 | Mid-Range | Balanced weed control and feeding | 12,000 sq ft per bag | Amazon |
| GreenView Fairway Formula Spring Fertilizer | Mid-Range | Weed + feed + crabgrass prevention | 5,000 sq ft per bag | Amazon |
| Jonathan Green Green-Up Weed & Feed | Entry-Level | Small lawns and first-time users | 5,000 sq ft per bag | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. GreenView Broadleaf Weed Control Plus Lawn Food
The 39 lb bag treats a full 15,000 sq ft — triple the coverage of the Jonathan Green bag — making this the top pick for anyone with a half-acre yard who wants to avoid buying a second bag. It kills over 250 broadleaf weeds including dandelions, clover, and plantain while feeding grass for up to 8 weeks, using GreenSmart Enhanced Efficiency Technology (a slow-release nitrogen system that prevents burn and feeds steadily).
Buyers report the weed killing takes about a week to show results, especially if you mist the lawn lightly after applying so the granules stick to the weed leaves. The formula works on Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, Bermuda, and standard St. Augustine (though not the Floratam variety). One reviewer noted using a second bag two weeks later for heavy weed infestations — the lawn thickened noticeably where weeds had died off, they said.
The limit: the blue-coated pellets can take weeks to fully dissolve, so if you have toddlers or pets that spend time on the grass, you will want to keep them off longer than with some finer-granule products. For coverage, weed count, and feeding duration, this is the most balanced choice for most homeowners.
Why it’s great
- Covers 15,000 sq ft — enough for a half-acre lawn
- Kills over 250 common broadleaf weeds
- Feeds grass for up to 8 weeks with slow-release nitrogen
Good to know
- Blue pellets dissolve slowly and may linger for weeks
- Heavy weed infestations may need a second application
- Not for use on Floratam St. Augustine grass
2. The Andersons Professional Surge Weed and Feed
This bag edges past the GreenView on coverage at 16,000 sq ft for a 40 lb bag, compared to GreenView’s 15,000 sq ft for a 36 lb bag. But the bigger difference is its professional four-way herbicide (a mix of four weed-killing chemicals) that owners mention handles tough weeds like creeping Charlie, which cheaper products often miss. One buyer who had tried multiple pre-emergents without success reported that The Andersons Surge finally killed the creeping Charlie in their lawn — a notoriously stubborn weed for spring treatment.
The 16-0-9 formula (16% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, 9% potassium) delivers a strong feeding without the phosphorus that can run off into waterways. The fine particle size means more granules land on each square inch for better weed contact. Customers note timing is critical: applying it earlier than you think you need to, then following up with the Surge, gave the best results. Several reviewers said the lawn looked noticeably thicker and greener within a couple of weeks.
The catch is the price — this is the most expensive per-bag option here, and a few reviewers mentioned they saw no difference compared to cheaper brands on standard weeds like dandelions. If creeping Charlie or tougher broadleaf weeds are your main problem, the extra cost makes sense. Choose this over the top pick if creeping Charlie or other stubborn broadleaf weeds are your primary target.
Where it shines
- Professional four-way herbicide tackles tough weeds like creeping Charlie
- Largest coverage in this lineup at 16,000 sq ft
- Fine particles provide better weed contact than larger granules
Worth noting
- Significantly more expensive than mid-range alternatives
- Not for use on Floratam St. Augustine or dichondra
- Some users found no difference from cheaper brands on common weeds
3. Scotts Turf Builder Weed and Feed5
You are standing in your lawn in early spring, staring at a patchwork of dandelions and clover, and you want one bag that feeds the grass while killing the weeds without a second trip to the store. This 33.95 lb bag covers up to 12,000 sq ft — a practical middle ground between smaller entry-level bags and the giant 40 lb options — and controls over 50 listed weeds including dandelion, clover, plantain, and morningglory while feeding the lawn to thicken it up and crowd out future weeds. The application window is specific: daytime temperatures between 60°F and 90°F and a wet lawn so the granules stick to weed leaves.
Buyers rave about how easy it is to apply with a Scotts spreader and how quickly the grass turns a darker green. One reviewer who used the granular version shared a key tip: wet the weeds first so the granules stick, do not water for 2-3 days after applying, and avoid walking on treated areas to prevent burn spots. Reviewers report it kills dandelions very well, but several noted it does not handle crabgrass or clover as effectively — if those are your main weeds, you may need a different product.
The standout spec here is the 543.2 ounce bag weight — the heaviest in the comparison by volume, so you get a lot of product per bag at a mid-range price. It is not for St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam) or dichondra, so check your grass type before buying.
What stands out
- Covers 12,000 sq ft — a solid middle-ground option
- Feeds grass to thicken and crowd out future weeds
- Easy to apply with Scotts spreader system
The trade-offs
- Weaker on crabgrass and clover compared to dandelions
- Requires wet lawn before application and no watering for 2-3 days after
- Not for use on St. Augustinegrass (including Floratam)
4. GreenView Fairway Formula Spring Fertilizer Weed & Feed and Crabgrass Preventer
The single number that matters most in this category is 65% slow-release nitrogen, and this product scores it directly in the formula. The 18 lb bag covers 5,000 sq ft — about one-third the coverage of the GreenView Broadleaf bag — so it works best for smaller lawns or targeted treatments. The crabgrass prevention lasts up to 4 months, meaning one spring application can block crabgrass through the entire summer.
The formula uses 65% slow-release nitrogen (a type that feeds the grass evenly over weeks) with no added phosphate to protect waterways. It kills over 200 broadleaf and grassy weeds including dandelion, clover, and crabgrass seedlings. Buyers who switched from a pricier brand reported that the GreenView actually outperformed it. One buyer mentioned their back yard went from “healthy weeds and struggling grass” to looking better than ever in just one month. Another 50-year lawn veteran called it the best fertilizer they had ever used.
The downside is coverage: at 5,000 sq ft, if you have a larger lawn you will need multiple bags, which raises the cost. Also, this product is not for Floratam St. Augustine grass. If you have a quarter-acre lawn and want the three-in-one convenience without buying a separate crabgrass preventer, this is the right pick for the price-to-value read.
The upsides
- Combines weed killer, fertilizer, and crabgrass preventer in one bag
- Blocks crabgrass for up to 4 months
- 65% slow-release nitrogen protects against burn and runoff
Keep in mind
- Smaller coverage at 5,000 sq ft — may need multiple bags for larger lawns
- Weed control is slower; some dandelions needed spot spraying
- Not for use on Floratam St. Augustine grass
5. Jonathan Green Green-Up Weed & Feed
At the entry-level end of the lineup, this 15 lb bag covers 5,000 sq ft with a 21-0-3 analysis (21% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, 3% potassium) that feeds the lawn for up to 3 months. The fine particle size means the granules settle into the grass canopy better for weed contact. The brand claims it controls over 250 broadleaf weeds including dandelions, chickweed, clover, wild onions, and even poison ivy.
The trade-off: several reviewers point out the weed killing did not work as expected. One reviewer who applied exactly as directed found the lawn turned green but the weeds did not die, calling it “disappointing.” Others noted the bag is quite small and had clumps of product that were hard to break up. The price is budget-friendly, but if strong weed control is your priority, the GreenView Broadleaf formula or The Andersons Surge appear to deliver more reliable results based on buyer feedback.
This bag is best for the first-time user with a small lawn who wants to experiment with a premium-brand product without a large investment. If your lawn is mostly healthy with just a few dandelions popping up, this will green it up nicely. If you have a serious weed infestation, you will probably need a heavier-hitting formula.
Why we’d pick it
- High 21-0-3 nitrogen analysis greens up lawns quickly
- Feeds for up to 3 months from a single application
- Fine particles provide better contact with weed leaves
A few caveats
- Some shoppers say weeds did not die despite following instructions
- Small bag with occasional clumps that are hard to break up
- Not for use during seeding new lawns
Understanding the Specs
Coverage (Square Feet per Bag)
This is the most important number because it tells you how far one bag will go. A bag labeled 15 lb might cover 5,000 sq ft while a 40 lb bag might cover 16,000 sq ft. Buyers often grab a bag by feel and then realize they need two or three for their lawn. Measure your yard once — using a free online mapping tool — and match it to the coverage number, not the bag weight.
N-P-K Ratio (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium)
The three numbers on the bag represent the percentage of each nutrient by weight. The first number (nitrogen) is what greens up the grass and drives growth. A weed and feed for spring typically has a higher first number — like 21-0-3 — to wake the lawn up after winter. Slow-release nitrogen keeps feeding over weeks instead of dumping it all at once, which is safer and more effective.
Weed List (Number and Types)
A formula that kills 50 weeds and one that kills 250 weeds are not the same product. Check the label for the specific weeds in your lawn. Dandelions and clover are common to all, but tough weeds like creeping Charlie, wild onion, poison ivy, and morningglory require stronger herbicide blends. If you have a variety of weeds, a broader kill list gives you better odds of knocking them all out in one pass.
Grass-Type Compatibility
Nearly every weed and feed carries a warning that it will damage or kill Floratam St. Augustine grass, which is common in Florida. Some formulas also ban use on dichondra, carpetgrass, bentgrass, or lawns with desirable clover. Always confirm your grass type matches the “use on” list before spreading — one wrong application can destroy your lawn for the season.
FAQ
When exactly should I apply weed and feed in spring?
Can I use weed and feed on a newly seeded lawn?
What happens if I accidentally apply weed and feed to St. Augustine grass?
How soon after applying weed and feed can I let my pets on the lawn?
Do I need a separate crabgrass preventer if I am using a weed and feed?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
If you want one dependable pick, the best weed and feed for spring is the GreenView Broadleaf Weed Control Plus Lawn Food because it balances the largest coverage per bag with strong weed-killing performance and 8 weeks of slow-release feeding at a mid-range price. If you want professional-grade weed control for tough invaders like creeping Charlie, grab the The Andersons Professional Surge. And for a small lawn that needs feeding, weeding, and crabgrass prevention all in one pass, the GreenView Fairway Formula Spring Fertilizer is the most convenient choice.