Fall broadleaf weed control in the Midwest
Updated October 23, 2026. Live numbers refresh hourly.
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Fall is the best time to control perennial broadleaf weeds like dandelion and clover in Midwest lawns; Purdue's lawn program puts the application in mid-October, when air temperatures are above 50°F and weeds are still actively growing.
- Soil today
- 64°F
- +15.2°F over 7 days
Live data for Des Moines, IA. Check your own ZIP below for local numbers.
Our picks
Chosen from the research below and the makers' own listings. We haven't lab-tested them.
- Scattered weeds, no mixing
Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Use, North (4659505, 1 gal)
1 hrrainproof (Ortho)
For scattered dandelions, clover and creeping Charlie, the spot treatment UMN favors over weed-and-feed. It's premixed and comes with a battery wand, so there's nothing to measure.
- Weedier lawns and pros
SpeedZone EW broadleaf herbicide
90+broadleaf weeds listed (DoMyOwn)
A professional concentrate for weedier lawns, mixed and sprayed as a spot or broadcast treatment. The listing says fall applications control emerged henbit, chickweed, clover and ground ivy, and that control is better with daytime air above 50°F, which matches Purdue's mid-October window.
- Mixing your own spot spray
Chapin 20000 1 Gallon SureSpray Garden Pump Sprayer
1 galtank (Chapin)
If you mix a concentrate like SpeedZone for spot spraying, a small hand-pump sprayer is all you need, and a 1-gallon tank keeps batches small.
Side by side
| Pick | Best for | What it is | Active ingredient | Use | Size | Retailer link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Use, North (4659505, 1 gal) | Scattered weeds, no mixing | Ready-to-use spot spray with battery wand | 2,4-D 0.313%, quinclorac 0.104%, dicamba 0.029% | Spot treatment only | 1 gallon | Check price at Ortho |
| SpeedZone EW broadleaf herbicide | Weedier lawns and pros | Broadleaf herbicide concentrate | 2,4-D, mecoprop-p, dicamba, carfentrazone | Spot or broadcast spray | 1 gallon (128 oz) and up | Check price at DoMyOwn |
| Chapin 20000 1 Gallon SureSpray Garden Pump Sprayer | Mixing your own spot spray | Hand-pump tank sprayer | – | Mixing and spraying concentrates | 1 gallon tank | Check price at Chapin |
Active ingredients, uses and sizes are from each maker's page or the linked DoMyOwn listing. A dash means it doesn't apply.
Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Use, North (4659505, 1 gal)
Scattered weeds, no mixing
For scattered dandelions, clover and creeping Charlie, the spot treatment UMN favors over weed-and-feed. It's premixed and comes with a battery wand, so there's nothing to measure.
Why we picked it
- 2,4-D, quinclorac and dicamba, premixed; Ortho lists dandelion, clover, chickweed and creeping Charlie among its weeds.
- Apply to young, actively growing weeds in spring or fall with daytime temperatures of 45–90°F (Ortho).
- Rainproof in 1 hour; people and pets can go back on once the spray dries.
Downsides
- Spot treatment only; Ortho says not to apply it to the entire lawn.
- Not for lawns where you want to keep clover, or for St. Augustine, centipede, bentgrass and other unlisted grasses.
- Delay mowing 2 days before and after, and some tough weeds need a second spot spray after 14 days (Ortho).
- What it is
- Ready-to-use spot spray with battery wand
- Active ingredient
- 2,4-D 0.313%, quinclorac 0.104%, dicamba 0.029%
- Use
- Spot treatment only
- Size
- 1 gallon
- Model
- Ortho 4659505
SpeedZone EW broadleaf herbicide
Weedier lawns and pros
A professional concentrate for weedier lawns, mixed and sprayed as a spot or broadcast treatment. The listing says fall applications control emerged henbit, chickweed, clover and ground ivy, and that control is better with daytime air above 50°F, which matches Purdue's mid-October window.
Why we picked it
- 2,4-D, mecoprop-p, dicamba and carfentrazone from PBI-Gordon (EPA Reg. 2217-1053).
- Rainfast in as little as 3 hours; DoMyOwn says a gallon treats about 2.5 to 4 acres at general rates.
- Treated areas may be reseeded 1 week after application, per the listing.
Downsides
- Sold by the gallon and up, so it's a lot of product for one yard.
- No more than 2 broadcast treatments per site per year; delay mowing 1 to 2 days before and after.
- DoMyOwn doesn't sell it to AK, AR, CA, LA, MA, NJ, TX, VT or WA (licensed applicators only).
- What it is
- Broadleaf herbicide concentrate
- Active ingredient
- 2,4-D, mecoprop-p, dicamba, carfentrazone
- Use
- Spot or broadcast spray
- Size
- 1 gallon (128 oz) and up
- Maker
- PBI-Gordon
Chapin 20000 1 Gallon SureSpray Garden Pump Sprayer
Mixing your own spot spray
If you mix a concentrate like SpeedZone for spot spraying, a small hand-pump sprayer is all you need, and a 1-gallon tank keeps batches small.
Why we picked it
- 1-gallon translucent poly tank so you can see the level; SureSpray in-tank anti-clog filter (Chapin).
- Nitrile seals for standard lawn and garden chemicals; adjustable stream-to-cone nozzle.
- 34 in hose, 12 in wand, 40–60 PSI; made in the USA with global materials.
Downsides
- No lock-off on the shut-off (Chapin).
- Chapin warns that using several chemicals in one sprayer can cross-contaminate, so keep one for herbicide.
- 1-year limited warranty.
- What it is
- Hand-pump tank sprayer
- Use
- Mixing and spraying concentrates
- Size
- 1 gallon tank
- Model
- Chapin 20000
Why fall works
Perennial broadleaf weeds such as dandelion and clover come back from their roots every year, so control means reaching the roots, not just burning off leaves. Purdue's AY-13 lawn program places broadleaf herbicide in mid-October, with air temperatures above 50°F, rather than in spring.
The University of Minnesota notes broadleaf herbicides need contact with the weed's leaves and work best when weeds are visible and actively growing; they won't prevent new weeds from germinating. A hard freeze that browns the weeds ends the window.
Spot treat or blanket?
UMN points out weed-and-feed products often apply much more herbicide than needed, and that spot-treating scattered weeds is just as easy and often more effective. Liquid herbicides also stay on leaves, while fertilizer needs watering in, a mismatch UMN says can compromise both. If you use a combination product, follow the label on whether to water.
- Spray on a calm day so drift doesn't reach garden plants.
- Don't mow for a couple of days before and after so there's leaf surface to treat; check the label.
- Skip herbicides on newly seeded areas until the label says the grass is established.
- Read and follow the label, which is the legal requirement.
Fitting it with fertilizer
Mid-October broadleaf control falls between the mid-September feeding and the late-fall round in Purdue's program. See Midwest fall fertilizer timing. Check the air and soil outlook for your area on Des Moines, Omaha or Kansas City.
Questions
When is the best time to spray dandelions?
Fall. Purdue puts broadleaf herbicide in mid-October, with air above 50°F, while weeds are actively growing.
Does weed-and-feed work?
UMN says combination products often apply more herbicide than needed, and timing for fertilizer and herbicide may not match. Spot treatment is often better.
Can I spray weeds after a frost?
After a light frost, if weeds are still green and growing and air temperatures are above 50°F, yes. Once a hard freeze browns them, wait until next fall or spring.
What should I spray dandelions and clover with in fall?
For scattered weeds, a ready-to-use spot spray such as Ortho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer. For weedier lawns, a concentrate such as SpeedZone EW mixed in a pump sprayer. Either way, spray while weeds are green and air is above 50°F, per Purdue.
Bottom line
Treat perennial broadleaf weeds in mid-October while they're still green and growing and air is above 50°F (Purdue). Spot-spray scattered weeds rather than blanketing the lawn with weed-and-feed, as UMN suggests; a premixed spot spray covers most yards, and a concentrate in a small pump sprayer handles weedier lawns. Spray on a calm day and stop once a hard freeze browns the weeds.
Check price at OrthoOrtho WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Use, North (4659505, 1 gal)
Sources
- Purdue Extension AY-13: Lawn Improvement Programs
- University of Minnesota Extension: Fertilizing lawns
- Ortho: WeedClear Lawn Weed Killer Ready-To-Use (North, 4659505) product page
- DoMyOwn: SpeedZone EW Broadleaf Herbicide for Turf listing
- Chapin: 20000 1 Gallon SureSpray Garden Pump Sprayer product page
Soil temperatures: NOAA GFS model, 0–10 cm layer. Snow: NOAA and National Weather Service. See how we measure.