Rye grass, or Lolium, is a tufted grass that tends to grow in bunches and favors cooler seasons. You’ll most commonly find rye in fertile soils, whether well-drained or inundated with water, and it grows all over the world. It’s often easy to establish ryegrass-especially the perennial type—but managing its growth is another challenge.
In general, ryegrass prefers a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 and will grow favorably in high-nitrogen conditions. Many people love rye because it’s a natural contender against crabgrass, meaning you may not need as much weed killer as with other varieties. But whether you have perennial or Italian ryegrass, the grass will need special care. Here, we’ll cover the best weed and feed options for ryegrass that will keep it looking great all year.
At a Glance – Our Top Picks.
Best Weed and Feed Options for Ryegrass
Here are the eight best options for weeding and feeding ryegrass.
Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food
Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food doesn’t specifically cater to ryegrass. But it does contain a ton of nitrogen, which helps promote ryegrass growth and protects it over winter. Scotts notes that the formula aims to repair damage from summer heat, which makes this an ideal restorative.
The mixture contains 32 percent weight nitrogen, no phosphate, and 10 percent weight potassium. In short, there’s plenty of nitrogen to help your ryegrass grow, no matter how rough summer was on it. The bag contains 12.5 pounds of feed, enough to cover 5,000 square feet of lawn.
Specs
- 32-0-10 fertilizer analysis
- 12.5 pounds
- Covers 5,000 square feet
- For fall application
What We Like
- No need to water in (in most cases)
- Can use on any grass type
- Addresses summer lawn damage
Our Verdict
We like the Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard for multiple grass types, and its versatility is a perk. But the focus is the high nitrogen, which we know is essential for growing ryegrass. It’s a suitable protective product for use in fall, and with just two applications, it should help preserve your grass all winter.
Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed
Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed is a fertilizer plus weed killer that lasts all winter. Its goal is to control dandelion and clover growth while protecting your rye’s roots through to spring. Plus, Scotts guarantees the formula will eliminate dandelions and clovers or you can get your money back.
However, the formula is for grass that’s about to go dormant. So, this isn’t a year-round product by any means. If you want to treat it in spring or another season, read on for alternatives.
Specs
- 28-0-6 fertilizer analysis
- 14 pounds
- Covers 5,000 square feet
- For fall application
What We Like
- Satisfaction guarantee for clearing out dandelions and clover
- No need to water afterward
- Feeds and kills weeds
Our Verdict
Scotts’ guarantee is a perk here, but we also like that the weed and feed product is easy to apply and handles a range of weed growth. You don’t have to water afterward, and the high nitrogen content is ideal for ryegrass growth.
Spectracide Weed & Feed
Spectracide’s Weed & Feed formula is easy to use and easy on your budget, making it an excellent choice for spot treatments and managing tough weeds. Spectracide notes that its formula knocks out dandelion, chickweed, knotweed, plantain, clover, mallow, purslane, poison ivy and poison oak, many broadleaf weeds, and more.
And the bottle is deceptively small—each 32-ounce package treats up to 7,500 square feet. You just need a hose to connect, and you’re ready to start feeding and removing weeds.
Specs
- 20-0-0
- 32-ounce bottle
- Treats up to 7,500 square feet
- Controls a long list of weeds
- Quickflip sprayer to connect to your hose easily
What We Like
- Easy to apply
- Can spot-treat as necessary
- Don’t need to water afterward (but need to water one to two days before application)
Our Verdict
Spectracide’s liquid weed and feed is easy to apply, lasts a long time, and delivers plenty of nitrogen to needy ryegrass. You don’t have to mix anything, either—just connect your hose and start spraying. Of course, it could take multiple applications to get tough weeds out, so you might need more than one bottle for a full application plus follow-up spot treatments.
BioAdvanced 709861F Weed and Feed
Another high-nitrogen, slow-release formula, BioAdvanced’s Weed and Feed helps thicken your grass, build strong roots, and fortify the soil. Though it’s not a blend specific for ryegrass, the BioAdvance formula has a 30 percent nitrogen composition, which is ideal for keeping your rye healthy.
The slow-release feature is helpful because the formula lasts about three months with one application. However, the company does not recommend applying the product in winter; it’s only for use when the grass is “actively growing.”
Specs
- 30-0-4
- Slow-release formula
- Treats up to 5,000 square feet
- 12 pounds
- Works with all grass types
What We Like
- Versatile for all grass types
- High in nitrogen
- Lasts for three months due to slow-release nutrients
Our Verdict
BioAdvanced Weed and Feed has plenty of nitrogen and nutrients to promote your ryegrass’ overall health. From root to grass blade, it helps encourage resistance to harsh summer and winter conditions. The long-lasting and versatile formula is also great for lawns or properties with a variety of grass types.
Simple Lawn Solutions Spring & Summer Concentrated Spray
Simple Lawn Solutions’ concentrated spray contains a balance of 16-4-8 plus contains seaweed and fish to give your rye deep nutrition. It contains only natural and organic ingredients—no harsh chemicals—and works on all grass types, so you can use it elsewhere on your lawn in addition to rye areas.
You will need to add plenty of water to reap the full benefits of this formula. Of course, in spring and summer, your lawn is likely on a regular watering schedule anyway.
Specs
- 16-4-8 macronutrient blend
- 32 ounces
- Spring and summer application
- Concentrated spray
What We Like
- Ideal for spring and summer application
- Works on all grass types
- No harsh chemicals
Our Verdict
While the name explains the top benefit of Simple Lawn Solutions’ formula, it’s not a complete lawn care solution. You’ll still need a weed killer product—but for feeding your ryegrass (and other types of grasses), Simple Lawn Solutions is a helpful addition to your spring and summer arsenal.
LawnStar 30-0-0 Fertilizer
LawnStar’s high-nitrogen blend is easy to use and is friendly to all grass types. But the high nitrogen content is especially helpful for growing rye, and the lack of herbicide isn’t a problem for most areas. Unless you’re experiencing significant weed problems, your rye may not need that type of boost—just a steady feed of nitrogen throughout the warmer months.
Specs
- 30-0-0 NPK rating
- 32 ounces
- All grass types
- Slow-release nitrogen treats up to 4,000 square feet
What We Like
- No-questions-asked satisfaction guarantee
- Easy to use hose-end sprayer
- Suitable for multiple lawn types
Our Verdict
For rye lawns with few weed patches, a high-nitrogen feed is just what you need. The high percentage of nitrogen promotes healthy rye while the slow-release feature ensures your lawn stays lush and green. LawnStar’s fertilizer is ideal in spring and summer, and you can use it on nearly any type of grass, too.
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food
Miracle-Gro’s lawn food has a high nitrogen content—at 30-0-6—and is safe for all grass types if you follow the directions properly. That means applying every two to three weeks and using one packet per 600 square feet.
There’s no herbicide here, though; just high concentrations of nitrogen that’s great for feeding rye.
Specs
- 30-0-6 NPK balance
- Each feeder packet covers 600 square feet (4,000 square feet per box)
- Five pounds of feed
What We Like
- Handy feeder packets for each application
- High nitrogen content
- Easy to apply
Our Verdict
There’s a reason Miracle-Gro is a big name in the business, and it’s because their products have a proven track record. Which is why we’re big fans of their water-soluble, high-nitrogen blend. The single-use packets are handy, though it’s not ideal to have to feed the lawn every two to three weeks. Still, you can’t beat the convenient application and perfectly green results.
Scotts Lawn New Grass Starter Food
Since rye needs a lot of care at first, you might be in the market for a new grass starter “meal.” This blend contains lots of nitrogen and phosphate and promises to grow thicker grass. It’s safe for all lawn types and covers 5,000 square feet.
Specs
- 24-25-4 fertilizer ratio
- Covers 5,000 square feet
- Not for sale in Pinellas County, FL
- 15 pounds
What We Like
- Nutrient support for new lawns
- Safe for all grass types
- High nitrogen and phosphate
Our Verdict
If you’re caring for a brand-new lawn full of rye and are hoping for quicker growth, applying Scotts’ starter food is probably an excellent idea. Of course, if you have an established and healthy patch of grass, you may not need this to jump-start it.
Buyer’s Guide Questions
Here are commonly asked questions about planting and caring for rye.
Do I Need a Weed Killer?
The short answer is that it depends. Ryegrass naturally smothers crabgrass, so you may not need an herbicide for such pests. That said, you might find a few other weeds cropping up in your rye patch, but it truly depends on your soil composition and how well you prep the lawn before seeding.
How Often Should I Feed My Lawn?
Manufacturer recommendations vary because of differing nutritional content in their lawn food. But in general, you’ll need to feed your lawn a couple of times per season, except for winter. Of course, feeding in fall in anticipation of over-wintering is a good idea.
What’s the Most Important Nutrient for Rye?
Overall, rye thrives on nitrogen the most. But as with every other grass, a balance of nutrients is desirable. That said, focusing on nitrogen should achieve a green and healthy rye. If it doesn’t, then you may want to test your soil for other deficiencies.
What if I Have Rye and Another Grass Type?
Many people use rye to overwinter their lawns, protecting thinner grasses and ensuring adequate ground coverage. If that’s the case, you’ll want to make sure you’re not overtreating the other grass. In many cases, getting a soil profile can help shed light on what nutrients your lawn and other plants may be lacking.
Top Pick
Rye benefits from high concentrations of nitrogen, say researchers; one study found that the optimal combinations were 30-24-9 and 30-27-6. Therefore, our top overall pick is Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food because it’s got the closest nutrient composition, comparatively.
Premium Choice
Our premium selection is BioAdvanced 709861F Weed and Feed, a bit pricier blend that offers tons of nitrogen in a slow-release form. It costs a bit more, but the slow release is ideal, as is the multi-season use (it’s great for spring, summer, and fall).
Great Value
If you know your rye needs more nitrogen but also want to combat a weed infestation, the best budget pick is Spectracide Weed & Feed. It’s a wallet-friendly option for feeding your ryegrass while knocking out the weeds that are scrabbling for a hold.
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