We all dream of a green, lush lawn to enjoy all summer long. Often times this dream is tainted by weeds popping up between blades of grass. Occasionally, weeds can get out of control and overtake an entire yard. Some worry about treating weeds because of fear they may accidentally ruin their lawns. A large number of weeds can be discouraging, but there are solutions to kill weeds and not the grass. Read on to learn how to kill weeds in your lawn without harming your grass or better yet, trust the experts at Lawnmasters and tackle these problems early on with pre-emergent weed care.
Understanding how to treat a lawn - it's important to understand the weeds themselves. Weeds are plants, just like the grass found in your lawn. Because they are plants, weeds flourish in the same conditions that a lush, green lawn would. Weeds tend to grow when lawns are cut low and the soil is compacted. These ideal conditions can lead to a lawn full of weeds, but there are a few different types of weeds to be aware of:
Broadleaf Weed: These weeds include dandelions, clover, ground ivy, oxalis, thistle, chickweed, dollarweed, and plantain. The leaves on these weeds are broad and flat.
Grassy Weed: These weeds include crabgrass, foxtail, annual bluegrass, and quackgrass. These weeds grow in blades and look like grass.
Grass-like Weed: These weeds include nut sedge, wild onion, and wild garlic. These weeds may look somewhat like grass, but they grow in a more tubular and hollow shape.
The Steps for Controlling Weeds
These are the general steps for how to get rid of weeds in your lawn, regardless of the type of treatment.
- Identify the type of weeds. Determining if you’re working with broadleaf or grass-like weeds will help you choose the right products. The tips above can help or a professional can identify it as well.
- Choose a treatment. There are natural herbicides or products to use that can help treat your weed problem. If you use a product, choose one for the right type of weeds and grass that you have.
- Kill the weeds. If you use a product, follow the directions exactly. Consider reading the directions at least three times before starting. With whatever treatment you choose, make sure it is between 45 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit with little to no wind and a very low chance of rain. Herbicides can’t differentiate between grass and weeds, so it’s crucial to only apply it to the weed. That’s why the lack of wind is crucial to help keep the products from blowing onto other plants.
- Maintain proper lawn care. Mow higher and water deeply to keep the grass from being too low or the soil too compacted. Hiring a certified expert can help prevent future weed growth and make weed treatments last longer.
Naturally Prevent Weeds
If you decide not to use weed control products, there are natural herbicides that can be used. One of the most common ways is killing weeds with vinegar. To use vinegar as a natural herbicide, put vinegar in a spray bottle or pump spray and spread it along with a brush. Like other herbicides, vinegar can’t differentiate between weed and grass. Spray the vinegar on the weeds in the early morning and only apply vinegar to the weeds and avoid hitting nearby plants. Controlling weeds in your lawn is doable when following the right steps and using the right products.
You may want to prevent weed problems before they become a crisis. The best way to tackle these problems early on is with pre-emergent weed care. Pre-emergent weed care every six to eight weeks can keep weeds from becoming a crisis and help you stay in control of your lawn, helping it grow green and lush.