Mesotrione 16 Ounces - Turf Herbicide for Broadleaf and Grass Control

In this review the focus is on Mesotrione 16 ounces as a targeted turf herbicide for homeowners and groundskeepers who need reliable broadleaf and grassy weed control. The bottom line: this product is for anyone managing cool-season lawns or sod who wants an active ingredient that absorbs immediately and moves through leaves and roots, preventing crabgrass germination and eliminating many common weeds. Expect visible bleaching and gradual plant death over 2-3 weeks, and plan to water within 10 days for activation if rain does not arrive.

Key Features

• Active ingredient: Mesotrione absorbs on contact and begins to disrupt susceptible plants, providing a systemic action that moves through roots and leaves for comprehensive control.
• Broad spectrum control: Labeled to target 46 broadleaf species and grasses, so it handles common problems such as crabgrass, clover, chickweed, carpetweed, barnyard grass, and dandelion.
• Post-emergent and pre-emergent benefits: Prevents crabgrass seed germination and eliminates emerged broadleaf weeds, allowing turf to fill in in a weed-free environment.
• Activation requirement: Requires 0.15 in of water within 10 days if no rainfall occurs, which helps ensure the product is activated and delivers consistent results.
• Turf compatibility: Works well on many cool-season and warm-season turfs like Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass, and can be used on St. Augustine grass when established as sod.

Who It's For

This herbicide is best for homeowners, lawn care professionals, and turf managers dealing with a mix of broadleaf weeds and certain grassy weeds on cool-season turf or specified warm-season grasses. It is a sensible choice when you need both post-emergent control and suppression of crabgrass seedlings while encouraging the recovery of desirable grasses.

Those who should look elsewhere include users with bentgrass or zoysiagrass lawns, properties dominated by bermudagrass (unless bermudagrass is dormant), or anyone seeking a non-bleaching, instant-death product; treated areas may show whitening before weeds die, and some users report formulation handling issues.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Effective at controlling a wide range of broadleaf weeds and some grassy weeds, matching name-brand performance.
• Systemic action that moves through roots and leaves, improving overall weed control rather than only surface effects.
• Dual benefits of preventing crabgrass germination and removing emerged weeds, useful for seasonal maintenance.

Cons

• Requires watering or rainfall within 10 days to activate, which adds a timing constraint to applications.
• Some users note the treated turf turns white before dying and a few report partial solidification of the product during storage or handling.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Mesotrione 16 ounces is a practical, cost-conscious option for managing a broad range of weeds in compatible turf types. It delivers systemic control that prevents crabgrass germination and eliminates many broadleaf weeds, making it a good value for homeowners and lawn pros who can time applications around rainfall or irrigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long until weeds die?
Visible bleaching appears quickly, but full weed death commonly takes 2-3 weeks after application.

Do I need to water after applying?
Yes, apply 0.15 in of water within 10 days if no rainfall occurs to activate the product.

Can I use this on bermudagrass?
Use on bermudagrass only when the grass is dormant; do not apply to active bermudagrass.