Best Lawn Care Products You Can Buy Online

You do not need to be a licensed professional to buy effective lawn care products. Many of the same active ingredients that professionals use are available in homeowner-friendly formulations that you can purchase online and have delivered to your door. This guide covers the best products in each category to help you build a complete lawn care program.

All products mentioned in this guide are general-use products that do not require a professional license to purchase or apply. Always read the product label to confirm it is approved for your specific grass type before purchasing.

Pre-Emergent Herbicides

Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weeds like crabgrass from ever appearing. They are the foundation of any good lawn care program. Apply in spring before soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Prodiamine-based granular products: Long-lasting crabgrass prevention. One application can provide up to 6 months of control. Available in ready-to-spread granular bags from brands like The Andersons and Quali-Pro.
• Dimension (dithiopyr) granular products: Unique ability to stop very early crabgrass. Gives you a wider application window if you are a few days late. Available from multiple manufacturers.
• Pendimethalin-based products: Widely available, affordable pre-emergent. Found in many store-brand crabgrass preventer products. Requires thorough watering in after application.

Post-Emergent Weed Killers

For weeds that are already visible and growing, you need a post-emergent herbicide. These come in ready-to-spray and concentrate forms.

• Three-way broadleaf herbicides (2,4-D + dicamba + MCPP): The workhorse combination for dandelions, clover, chickweed, and most common broadleaf weeds. Available in hose-end sprayer and concentrate formats.
• Triclopyr-based products: For tough weeds like wild violet, ground ivy, and oxalis that resist standard broadleaf herbicides. Often sold as a specialty tough weed killer.
• Quinclorac products: One of the few post-emergent options for crabgrass. Also controls certain broadleaf weeds. Available as a concentrate for pump sprayers.
• Sulfentrazone products: The go-to active ingredient for nutsedge (nutgrass) control. Available in ready-to-spray and concentrate forms.

Fertilizers

A proper fertilization program makes the biggest visual difference in your lawn. Choose slow-release nitrogen sources for steady, even feeding that does not cause surge growth.

• Slow-release granular fertilizers: Look for products where at least 50% of the nitrogen is slow-release (listed as water-insoluble nitrogen on the label). Brands like Milorganite, Lebanon Turf, and The Andersons offer quality options.
• Milorganite: An organic-based slow-release fertilizer made from biosolids. Provides nitrogen and iron for deep green color without burning risk. Extremely popular with DIY lawn enthusiasts.
• Starter fertilizer (high phosphorus): Use when seeding or sodding new lawn areas. The higher phosphorus content promotes root development in new grass plants.
• Winterizer fertilizer: A higher-nitrogen fertilizer applied in late fall to feed roots through winter and promote early spring green-up.

Grub Control Products

White grubs (the larvae of Japanese beetles, June beetles, and other scarab beetles) feed on grass roots and can destroy large patches of lawn. Preventive products work much better than trying to treat an active infestation.

• Chlorantraniliprole (GrubEx): Apply in spring for season-long grub prevention. Very low toxicity to mammals and pollinators. Can be applied earlier in the season than other preventive products.
• Imidacloprid-based products: Another effective preventive option, typically applied in June-July before grub eggs hatch. Widely available and affordable.
• Trichlorfon (Dylox): A curative product for active grub infestations. Works quickly but must be applied when grubs are actively feeding near the soil surface. Use only if you confirm grubs are present.

Grass Seed

Choosing the right grass seed for your region and conditions is critical for overseeding success. Buy the best seed you can afford — cheap seed often contains filler, weed seeds, or low-germination varieties.

• Tall fescue blends (cool-season): Durable, drought-tolerant, and shade-tolerant. The most versatile cool-season grass for homeowner lawns. Look for NTEP-tested varieties.
• Kentucky bluegrass blends (cool-season): The classic lawn grass known for its rich color and fine texture. Requires more water and sunlight than tall fescue. Self-repairs through rhizome growth.
• Bermuda grass seed (warm-season): Fast-growing, heat-tolerant, and wear-resistant. The most common warm-season lawn grass. Requires full sun.
• Perennial ryegrass (cool-season): Germinates quickly and establishes fast. Often mixed with Kentucky bluegrass or fescue for quick fill-in.

Soil Amendments

• Pelletized lime: Raises soil pH if your soil test shows acidic conditions. Pelletized forms are easier to spread evenly with a standard broadcast spreader.
• Elemental sulfur: Lowers soil pH if your soil test shows alkaline conditions. Common in western states with naturally alkaline soils.
• Humic acid products: Improves soil structure and microbial activity. Applied as a liquid or granular supplement to your regular fertilization program.

Where to Buy

Online retailers like DoMyOwn.com specialize in DIY pest control and lawn care products. They carry professional-grade general-use products in homeowner-friendly sizes with detailed application guides. Local garden centers and home improvement stores also carry many of these products, though the selection of professional-grade options may be more limited.

When shopping online, compare the active ingredient and concentration rather than just the brand name. Two products with the same active ingredient at the same concentration will perform identically regardless of brand. Compare the cost per 1,000 sq ft of coverage, not just the price per bag or bottle.

Product categories and active ingredients are referenced for educational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any specific product or brand. Always read the complete product label before purchase or use. Application rates, approved turf species, and safety precautions are specified on each product's label. Availability may vary by state and retailer.