Broadleaf Weed Killer Options for Tall Fescue: How to Get Rid of Clover, Dandelions, and More

Tall fescue is tough and durable, but broadleaf weeds like clover, dandelions, chickweed, and henbit can make even the best lawns look messy. The good news? With the right selective herbicides for broadleaf weeds, you can kill weeds without harming tall fescue — and fall is one of the best times to do it.

Why Broadleaf Weeds Love Tall Fescue

Tall fescue is known for durability, deep roots, and year-round color — but it isn't invincible. Because tall fescue grows in clumps and doesn’t spread laterally, bare patches easily form after:

• Summer heat

• Drought stress

• Fungus outbreaks

• Foot traffic

• Mowing stress.

Anywhere you have exposed soil, broadleaf weeds see a VIP invitation.

Common Broadleaf Weeds in Tall Fescue Lawns (Weed ID Guide)

Before you choose a broadleaf weed killer for tall fescue, it helps to know exactly what you're dealing with. Here are the usual suspects:

Clover

• Small, round three-leaf clusters

• Spreads like wildfire in nitrogen-poor soil

• Often forms patches faster than tall fescue can fill in.

Dandelions

• Bright yellow flowers that turn into fluffy seed heads

• Deep taproot makes hand-pulling tricky

• One plant can produce hundreds of seeds.

Chickweed

• Low-growing, mat-forming weed

• Tiny white star-shaped flowers

• Loves cool, damp areas and thin turf.

Henbit

• Square stems, purple tubular flowers

• Appears in late winter and early spring

• Thrives in bare or compacted areas.

Plantain

• Broad, ribbed leaves that form a rosette

• Typically found in compacted or high-traffic areas

• Hard to remove without herbicide due to strong roots.

Spurge

• Grows in hot weather

• Produces milky sap when its stems are broken

• Extremely fast-spreading.

Identifying the weed correctly helps you choose the right selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds — and ensures you kill weeds without harming tall fescue.

Why You Need a Selective Broadleaf Weed Killer

When caring for tall fescue, choosing the right herbicide is crucial. A selective herbicide for broadleaf weeds targets only the weeds—not your turf. These products work by disrupting growth pathways unique to broadleaf weeds, such as amino acid synthesis or hormone regulation, while tall fescue remains completely unaffected.

A selective broadleaf weed killer for tall fescue allows you to target clover, dandelions, chickweed, and other invaders without risking brown spots or turf injury.

If you’ve ever wondered how to kill weeds without harming tall fescue, selective herbicides are the answer. They’re designed precisely for this purpose.

Most of the best options fall into the category of post-emergent herbicides for tall fescue, meaning they kill weeds that are already visible in the lawn. This makes them perfect for fall cleanup, early-spring touch-ups, or spot-spraying whenever weeds appear.

Best Broadleaf Weed Killer Options for Tall Fescue

Here are the most effective and fescue-safe product options available from the Golf Course Lawn store.

✔ Tenacity & SedgeHammer® Herbicide Kit (Cool-Season Grass)

Perfect for: Clover, dandelions, chickweed, thistle, plantain, and many more broadleaf weeds.

Why it’s great for tall fescue:

• Extremely gentle on cool-season grass

• Controls 50+ weed types

• Includes surfactant and dye for easier application

• Ideal for DIYers who want professional results

tenacity-and-sedgehammer-herbicide-kit-with-surfactant-and-dye-cool-season-grass

This is one of the most beginner-friendly selective herbicides for tall fescue—and a fantastic option year-round.

✔ Velocity® PM – Poa Annua Control for Cool-Season Turf

Perfect for: Poa annua, clover, chickweed, henbit, and certain tough broadleaf weeds.

Why it's great for tall fescue:

Velocity® PM was formulated specifically for cool-season turf, making it one of the safest advanced weed-control tools for tall fescue lawns. If your yard battles both broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds like poa annua, this is a powerhouse solution.

velocity-pm-poa-annua-control-for-cool-season-turf

✔ Triad Select 3-Way Broadleaf Weed Herbicide

Perfect for: Larger lawns, transition-zone lawns, or lawns with a mix of cool and warm-season grasses.

Controls:

• Dandelion

• Clover

• Chickweed

• Henbit

• Spurge

• Wild violet

• Dozens of broadleaf weeds.

Why it's great:

Triad Select is a professional 3-way herbicide with excellent broadleaf control and is safe for tall fescue when used as directed. It also works on many warm-season grasses, making it ideal for "mixed" or transition-zone lawns.

broadleaf-weed-control-triad-select-3-way-herbicide

✔ Prodiamine 65 WDG – Pre-Emergent Safe for All Grass Types

Perfect for: Preventing broadleaf weeds before they appear.

While not a post-emergent, Prodiamine is one of the most essential tools in a tall fescue weed-control plan. It stops many broadleaf and grassy weeds from germinating — including chickweed, henbit, and crabgrass.

Why it's great:

• Safe for tall fescue

• Prevents weeds for months

• Highly cost-effective
  

prodiamine-65-wdg-brand-alternative-barricade%C2%AE-65wdg

Pairing pre-emergents with post-emergents gives you clean turf and long-lasting control.

Related: Can You Apply Pre-emergent in Fall?

Year-Round Weed-Control Strategy for Tall Fescue

Fall is the #1 best time for fall weed control for fescue lawns.

Why?

• Weeds are storing energy in their roots

• Herbicides move more efficiently into the plant

• Cool-season turf grows aggressively and fills gaps

• You reduce weed seeds next spring.

Ideal timing: September to November, depending on your climate.

To keep weeds from returning year after year, follow this simple seasonal plan:

Early Spring (February–April)

• Apply Prodiamine 65 WDG pre-emergent to stop crabgrass, chickweed, and henbit before they sprout.

• Spot-spray any early broadleaf weeds with Tenacity + SedgeHammer®.

Late Spring (May–June)

• Another round of light spot treatments if needed.

• Avoid heavy spraying in high heat to protect your tall fescue.

Summer (July–August)

• Limit herbicide use unless temperatures are below 85°F.

• Focus on watering, mowing tall, and keeping turf healthy.

Fall (September–November) — THE KEY SEASON for Tall Fescue 

• Apply Velocity® PM for broadleaf weeds and Poa annua if present.

• Use Triad Select for widespread broadleaf issues.

• Overseed thin patches if needed.

Late Fall (November–December)

• Apply your second Prodiamine treatment (split application).

• Prep the lawn for winter.

Following this schedule gives you dense fescue, fewer weeds, and far less work next year.

Related: Transition Zone Grass Strategies

How to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides for Best Results

1. Apply to Actively Growing Weeds

Post-emergent herbicides are most effective when weeds are alive and healthy — not drought-stressed.

2. Add Surfactant When Required

This helps the product stick to the weed leaf surface.

3. Don’t Mow 24–48 Hours Before or After Application

You need enough leaf surface for absorption.

4. Avoid Rain or Irrigation for 24 Hours After Spraying

Rain can dilute or wash off the product, so check the weather forecast before you apply.

5. Use the Correct Rate

All herbicides at Golf Course Lawn include measuring tools or exact rate instructions.

6. Spot Spray First

Blanket spray only when the lawn has widespread weeds.

Soil Health: The Secret Weapon Against Broadleaf Weeds

Most homeowners focus on herbicides, but soil health is just as important. Broadleaf weeds often appear because the soil is sending a message:

• Clover → low nitrogen
  

• Plantain → soil compaction

• Chickweed & henbit → wet, shaded, or thin areas
  

• Spurge → heat-stressed, dry, low-quality soil.

Improving soil health makes tall fescue thicker and more competitive, reducing weed pressure naturally.

Recommended soil-building products:

• CarbonizPN-G™ Granular Soil Compost & Biochar — improves microbial life and root density.
  

• CarbonizPN™ Soil Enhancer for Lawns with Biochar — enhances moisture retention and soil structure
  

• Buy Lebanon Humic Max Fertilizer — carbon-rich fertilizer for strong cool-season growth

Taking care of the soil reduces your long-term need for herbicides.

Tall Fescue Broadleaf Weed Control FAQ

Can I use broadleaf weed killers on newly seeded tall fescue?

Most selective herbicides should not be applied to newly seeded tall fescue until the lawn has been mowed at least 2–3 times. Young seedlings are more sensitive and can be damaged. Always check the product label for post-seeding waiting periods.

What temperature is best for applying broadleaf herbicides to tall fescue?

Most herbicides are most effective when daytime temperatures range between 55°F and 85°F. Spraying when it's too cold or too hot can reduce effectiveness and increase the risk of turf injury.

Should I spray broadleaf weeds or pull them by hand?

Hand-pulling can work for isolated dandelions, but weeds with deep taproots or spreading growth, such as clover and chickweed, usually regrow unless treated with a post-emergent selective herbicide.

How long does it take to see results after spraying weeds in tall fescue?

You can typically expect visible results within 5–14 days, depending on the type of herbicide used and the specific weed type. Stubborn weeds, such as plantain or wild violet, may require multiple applications.

Is it safe to use weed killers before overseeding tall fescue?

With post-emergent herbicides, you must wait the recommended interval before overseeding — typically 2–4 weeks, though Tenacity is an exception and can be used at seeding. Always verify the label instructions for timing.

Do broadleaf herbicides affect soil health in tall fescue lawns?

Selective herbicides target weeds at the leaf level and do not sterilize or damage soil. Once broken down by microbes, they leave no lasting impact on soil structure or nutrient availability.

Why do weeds keep coming back even after spraying?

Recurring weeds can be caused by:

• Poor soil fertility

• Thin turf

• Incorrect mowing height

• Skipping pre-emergents

• Spraying at the wrong growth stage.

Using Prodiamine pre-emergent, maintaining proper mowing, and fertilizing regularly helps prevent repeated weed outbreaks.

Can I combine different herbicides to treat multiple types of weeds?

Only add herbicides if the label explicitly allows it. Tenacity and SedgeHammer® Herbicide Kit with Surfactant and Dye are fine, but others can cause turf damage. When in doubt, apply herbicides separately.

Do I need to water my lawn before applying broadleaf weed killer?

Watering the lawn a day or two before application helps ensure weeds are not drought-stressed, which improves herbicide absorption. But avoid watering immediately after application.

Are broadleaf herbicides safe for pets and kids?

Once the product has fully dried — usually within a few hours — most selective herbicides are considered safe for pets and children to return to the lawn. Always follow label instructions for re-entry times.

Broadleaf Weeds? Not on My Turf

Tall fescue is one of the most forgiving cool-season grasses you can grow, but keeping broadleaf weeds out requires the right tools. Using a selective broadleaf weed killer for tall fescue ensures that you kill weeds without harming your lawn, and fall is the ideal time to get it done.

If you’re serious about getting your tall fescue looking its absolute best, now’s the time to gear up. Head to the store for the weed-control products I trust, and check out our YouTube channel where I walk you through every technique, trick, and pro tip to keep your lawn looking sharp year-round.