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If you have a garden, you'll know all about weeds - they seem to pop up everywhere, including lawns, patios, and driveways. As with most chemical-based goods, there are a lot of things you should know before you buy a weed killer and unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all product! In this article, we'll explain all about the various types.
Then, check out our list of the top 10 weed killers to buy online, including those from leading brands. We've assessed every product on the UK market to bring you the best selection - from eco-friendly sprays to glyphosate-free liquids that are safe to use around pets or children. Getting rid of weeds has never been easier!
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When shopping for a weed killer, there are quite a few things to think about, such as whether you need a pre-emergent or post-emergent, and what type of weeds they are. You might also need to consider children and pet-safe products.
Let's start with the most straightforward question: are you looking to kill off weeds that already exist in your garden, or is your spot currently weed-free and you intend to keep it that way?
If your garden is currently free from pesky weeds, you'll want to choose a pre-emergent formula. This type of product is the easiest way to keep your garden permanently weed-free. It works by killing the seeds before they start to germinate. As they say, defence is the best offence!
A pre-emergent product is usually applied in the winter, to make sure that it catches all of the seeds before they germinate. If you attempt to apply it after weeds have appeared, the product will do nothing to stop them from growing further.
If you've not been quick enough and weeds are already poking through your beautiful flowerbeds, you can use a post-emergent to clear them away. This works by killing the plant after it's grown above ground.
The best time to use this type of product is as soon as you see weeds popping up, which is usually during the spring and summer months. Make sure you apply the formula on a warm, rain-free day, so it has plenty of time to dry.
You can also keep the pesky weeds at bay with garden hand tools if you want to avoid chemicals.
Knowing the location of your weeds is another important aspect that will help you to choose the right product. As weeds can grow just about anywhere, you don't want to ruin your meticulously maintained lawn by using a product that kills everything!
A selective weed killer is the ideal solution if you're trying to get rid of weeds that are living amongst your other plants - in your flower beds, vegetable patches, raised beds, or lawn.
These herbicides are only toxic to specific categories of plants or weeds so once you've identified which ones are ruining your garden, you can find a product that will eliminate them. As long as you use a formula that's suitable, the rest of your garden should stay intact!
If you aren't blessed with beautiful flowers in your garden and there's nothing that you need to preserve, opt for a non-selective weed killer. This type of product makes light work of completely clearing the area of all weeds.
But bear in mind that this type of product is not picky - it's by far the most potent formula, annihilating any living thing in its path. Make sure you double check that there's nothing nearby that you want to keep before you start spraying it everywhere!
When it comes to those annoying weeds that force their way up through the cracks outside your home, you'll want to use a product that's designed especially for patios and driveways.
Unlike the weeds growing in your flowerbeds or on your lawn, the weeds which you find in these areas aren't as deeply rooted, so they can be treated with a milder solution. That said, make sure you read the label carefully as some formulas can bleach the colour of patio tiles!
Garden forks help to root out mature weeds with deeper roots.
If you've got a bit of a green thumb, you're probably aware that plants fall into two categories: perennials and annuals. Weeds are no different! Determining which type you're dealing with is therefore essential when shopping for a weed killer.
Perennial weeds like dandelions and brambles flower reliably every year - this means that they're likely to keep reappearing if you don't deal with them swiftly. Although their stems will die off, giving you false hope that they're dead, the root will remain intact. They basically hibernate until they're ready to grow again the following year!
To treat these weeds properly, make sure that you choose a systemic weed killer. This kind of product is designed to eliminate perennial plants by working its way right down to the root, killing off the plant at its source.
Annual weeds like hairy bittercress, groundsel, and chickweed have a lifecycle of just one growing season - they bloom in the spring, last throughout the summer, and then die off in autumn and winter. For this reason, they're much easier to treat than perennial ones.
A contact weed killer doesn't kill the plant from the root, instead, it treats it from the soil upwards. Whilst this type of formula will work on both perennial and annual weeds, it's better for using on annual weeds because they won't spring up again, unlike perennial weeds.
Perhaps you're having a garden party at the weekend and need to clean up your flowerbeds pronto! A contact formula is therefore also the best option for quick results, as it's fast-acting enough to get your garden looking tidy in under a week.
If you're treating an area that children or animals might come into contact with, make sure you use a product which states that it is safe for kids and pets. This is because weed killers are notoriously jam-packed with harmful chemicals.
Unfortunately, child-friendly products tend to be a little weaker and might need applying a couple of times in order to achieve the desired results, but we'd say it's worth the extra effort to keep your loved ones safe!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Roundup Fast Action Total Weedkiller | £23.74 High Mid | The Ultimate All-Round Option for Your Garden | ||
2 | Barclay Gallup Home & Garden Weedkiller | £33.99 High | Delivers Maximum Results Against Stubborn Weeds | ||
3 | Vitax SBK Tough Weedkiller | £10.27 Low Mid | Beat The Brambles With This Long-Lasting Liquid | ||
4 | Resolva Pro Xtra Tough | £16.99 High Mid | Gets Rid of Weeds in 24hrs | ||
5 | Weedol Ultra Tough Weedkiller Liquid Concentrate | £11.49 Mid | Clear Through Anything With This Cost-Effective Formula | ||
6 | Roundup Tough Weedkiller | £8.89 Low Mid | Tough on Weeds, Gentle on Soil | ||
7 | Weedol Lawn Weedkiller | £11.10 Mid | Make Your Lawn Lush Again With This Non-Toxic Spray | ||
8 | Weedol Pathclear Liquid Concentrate | £10.99 Mid | Perfect for Efficiently Clearing Pathways | ||
9 | Neudorff WeedFree Plus | £23.01 High Mid | Eco-Friendly and Fast-Acting | ||
10 | Weedol Rootkill Plus | £8.77 Low Mid | An Easy-To-Apply Formula for Driveways and Patios |
Our number 1 spot goes to an incredible product from Roundup, the "Fast Action Total Weedkiller". This formula will cut through almost any weed, making it a great all-round option if you don't want to fork out for multiple products to sort out the different areas around your home.
It's also one of the most straightforward products to use - just apply a 10-minute continuous spray with the pump 'n' go system and you should start to see results in 1-2 days. We also love the fact that this weed killer is biodegradable when it reaches the soil, and it's both child and pet-friendly too!
Tried a few weed-killers before and nothing seems to do the trick? Opt for this miracle product by Barclay for maximum results - it uses the same amount of glyphosate as professional herbicides, making it the strongest domestic weed killer in the UK!
It's brilliant at treating stubborn perennials in one fell swoop, including grass, nettles, and dandelions. Best of all, unlike most super-strong weed killers which leave the ground out of action for many weeks, this product allows you to replant only seven days after application. Amazing!
SBK from Vitax is one of the most potent weed killers on the market. It's capable of completely killing off woody weeds like brambles, thistles, and even tree stumps. Conveniently, it doesn't kill grass, so there's no need to worry if you accidentally spill some on your freshly mowed lawn.
The results tend to last for months after using this industrial-strength weed killer, so it's fantastic value for money. That said, it's worth noting that you won't be able to replant anything in the treated area for 6 weeks.
This quick-fix weed killer is one of the most popular ones on the market. It's a unique blend, combining the fast-acting properties of a contact weed killer with the long-lasting effects of a systemic formula. So, not only does it kill off those ugly weeds quickly, they won't be coming back anytime soon.
A handy feature of this product is the applicator head, which can cover both small, targeted areas and large areas quickly. At just under £20 for 3 litres, you certainly get your money's worth!
When it comes to weeds, this is one tough cookie that'll cut through anything! Brambles, thistles, nettles - anything resilient or persistent, basically. Plus, you get 8 tubes for a bargain price, making this a very cost-effective purchase.
Whilst this is an amazing product for clearing large areas, make sure you don't use it around flowerbeds or vegetable patches - otherwise, all of that precious time spent gardening will go to waste!
Roundup's "Tough Weedkiller" is another excellent choice for getting rid of weeds that you might find poking through the cracks on your patio. As it's a systemic weed killer, it works right down to the root to prevent pesky plants from returning.
With visible results in under 48 hours, you'll have a clear outdoor space in no time! Plus, it's an eco-friendly formula that's incredibly affordable if you're on a budget.
If your beautiful garden is suffering from a weed infestation, you can't go wrong with Weedol's lawn-focused weed killer! It can be liberally sprayed all over your lawn to kill persistent broad-leaved weeds without damaging the grass. However, it doesn't do much for narrow-leaved weeds or deep-rooted ones.
Since this product contains no glyphosate, it's not toxic or harmful to children and pets, which is always a bonus! Frustratingly though, it cannot be used on a new lawn - only one that's at least two months old.
As its name suggests, Weedol's "Pathclear" has been specifically designed to treat paths and driveways. In fact, it's one of the best products on the market for doing so! Working as both a pre-emergent and a post-emergent, it'll completely clear the treated area for up to three months.
Since this product is a concentrated formula, it needs to be mixed with water. The downside is that you'll need to mix it very well to get a decent consistency. Unfortunately, applying it with a watering can also significantly reduces accuracy - we therefore recommend only using it on areas with no other plants.
Neudorff produces some of the most environmentally-friendly products on the market for the eco-conscious. Although it's not the strongest formula, it starts working after just an hour, making it an excellent quick-fix for messy gardens!
Being a selective formula, this product will only work on certain weeds such as goutweed, moss, and field horsetail. Make sure you identify which ones are plaguing your garden before purchasing!
Weedol's "Rootkill Plus" formula is easy to apply, thanks to the spray-nozzle bottle, and the systemic formula is ideal for getting rid of tough perennials. Bear in mind that this product is only suitable to use from April to November though.
While this is safe to use around children, it's a non-selective product so it will kill any plants in its way. For this reason, make sure you only use it around patios and driveways, rather than grassy areas or flowerbeds that you want to keep!
When you're shopping for weed killers, you'll want to consider all of the points we raised in our buying guide, from the type of weeds that the product treats to the amount of coverage it can provide. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be able to pick the right product and clean up your outdoor space with ease!
Author: Roxy Pratley
No. 1: Roundup|Fast Action Total Weedkiller
No. 2: Barclay|Gallup Home & Garden Weedkiller
No. 3: Vitax|SBK Tough Weedkiller
No. 4: Resolva Pro|Xtra Tough
No. 5: Weedol|Ultra Tough Weedkiller Liquid Concentrate
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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