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- Brenda Woods
- 7 min
- Identify the Weeds You Have. In order to make a successful game plan, you’ll need to know just what kind of weeds you’re dealing with. Weed treatments are designed to target specific plant species, so what works on broadleaf weeds may leave grass-like weeds undisturbed.
- Select a Proper Herbicide. Next, it’s time to select the proper weed treatment based on both weed classification and the stage in their life cycle.
- Apply the Treatment. For this step, it’s crucial that you follow the directions on the herbicide packaging to the letter. Make sure you apply the proper product at the proper time.
- Wait It Out. How soon you can plant seed depends on the type of weed treatment you choose. You’ll need to wait for the weeds and their root systems to fully die before proceeding.
People also ask
How do you get rid of weeds in a lawn?
How do you deal with weeds?
How to kill weeds without killing grass?
How do you stop weeds from germinating?
- Dandelion
- Crabgrass
- Clover
- Creeping Charlie
- Purslane
- Field Bindweed
- Lamb’S-Quarters
- Canada Thistle
- Wood Sorrel
- Puncturevine
One of the most recognizable lawn weeds, dandelions have notched leaves and yellow flowers that become puffballs. Their thick taproot sinks deeply into the soil, making it difficult to pull the entire plant out by hand. That same taproot, however, helps keep soil aerated. Plus, dandelions bloom earlier than many ornamental flowers and provide essen...
Producing 150,000 seeds per plant, crabgrass will take over your lawn. This annual grass pops up frequently around driveways and sidewalks where soil warms faster, triggering the germination of crabgrass seeds. In some areas of the U.S., crabgrass is foragedfor human consumption, and is grown as hay for livestock. When crabgrass proliferates in you...
This perennial ground cover produces three leaflets atop a long stem and small rounded white or pink flowers. If clover has creeped into your perfect suburban lawn, weigh its benefits before deciding whether to remove it. It’s an excellent pollinator plant and a favorite of honeybees. Clover doesn’t require fertilizer or water to remain green durin...
Also called ground ivy, creeping Charlie thrives in poorly drained shady areas that have fertile soil. The weed has rounded leaves with toothed margins that form along square stems. From April to June, blue funnel-shaped flowers that are loaded with pollen appear. The perennial herb packs plenty of Vitamin C and is purported to ease inflammation. G...
Closely related to moss rose, purslane’s succulent leaves and stems hug the ground, radiating out from a single taproot. It has small yellow flowers and can produce large mats in bare soil. This sturdy succulent is edible and rich in vitamins A and C, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Its rich, lemony flavor tastes great in pesto, soups, or salad. In...
Field bindweed is a perennial lawn weed that is difficult to eradicate. This vining weed spreads via seeds and underground rhizomes. You’ll recognize it by its arrowhead-shaped leaves and flowers that resemble small morning glories. It wraps around plants and spreads across lawns so densely that it can smother and kill them. Although its flowers ca...
Dense, compacted soils are favored by lamb’s-quarters (also known as pigweed or goosefoot), which can grow up to 5 feet tall if it gets ample sun and moisture. How can you identify lamb’s-quarters? The leaves are egg shaped, toothed, pale green, and might be coated with a fine white powder (particularly if it’s new growth). Lamb’s-quarters is a fav...
Sharp barbs on this tough perennial’s spear-shaped leaves are a visual reminder that it won’t go away easily. Canada thistle is hard to remove, requiring repeated efforts to eradicate the entire deep taproot. If even the smallest segment is left behind it will sprout a new plant, and in some cases, two new plants. Although Canada thistle seeds prov...
Wood sorrel or oxalis is a perennial weed that looks a lot like clover, except that it has yellow flowers. It forms a dense, low-growing mound that spreads by seed, stem fragment, or underground root. Although wood sorrel leaves are edible, sharp in flavor, and rich in vitamin C, they should be eaten only in small quantities or cooked first to redu...
Also called goathead because of their spiky seed capsules that form from tiny yellow flowers, puncturevine is harmful to lawns and doubly so for bare feet. The weed has sharp, painful heads that hide under its deep mat of small green leaves. Grazing livestock can ingest the burrs, too, and the sharp spines can injure an animal’s digestive tract. Al...
- Prevent Weeds with Ideal Mowing Height Ranges. Mow your grass when it needs it; one-third above the ideal cutting height. Pro Tip: If you don’t know your grass type, take a plug of turf to a garden center and ask the staff to help with the identification.
- Identify Broadleaf Weeds. Broadleaf weeds include any weed that has leaves, such as dandelions, clover and Creeping Charlie (ground ivy). Sign Up For Our Newsletter.
- Identify Perennial Grassy Weeds. Perennial grassy weeds like quack grass go dormant through the winter along with your grass, only to reemerge in the spring.
- Identify Annual Grassy Weeds. Annual grassy weeds like crab grass reseed themselves near the end of the growing season and then die. The seeds germinate the following spring to grow new plants.
- Crabgrass, Digitaria Ischaemum. Crabgrass resembles its ocean-dwelling namesake, with spreading stems hugging the ground. The grass is a true annual, completing its life cycle in a single year.
- Henbit, Lamium Amplexicaule. This common winter annual or biennial commonly invades lawns in the late fall and winter. Henbit is easily recognizable in spring when the purple flowers appear in whorls among the upper leaves.
- Dandelion, Taraxacum Officinale. Many of us have fond childhood memories of dandelions, but are not so excited about them in our lawns now that we are homeowners.
- Nutsedge, Cyperus Esculentus (yellow nutsedge) and Cyperus Rotundus (purple nutsedge) Nutsedge is a grass-like weed with distinctive triangular or v-shaped leaf blades.
Mar 17, 2024 · What’s the easiest way to get rid of weeds in your lawn? The easiest way might not be the safest, or the most ethical. Using a selective herbicide on your lawn is the fastest way to eradicate unwanted plant life – but these products can be harmful to the environment, children, pets, and ourselves.
Apr 16, 2024 · Getting rid of weeds on your lawn and keeping them away isn’t rocket science, but knowing the specific steps to take can prevent wasted time and money in the process. Below are 11 straightforward steps to overcoming your weed problems and fixing your lawn. 1. Identify the Type of Weeds in Your Lawn.
Jun 21, 2022 · Learn the pros and cons of landscape fabrics and what alternatives you can use instead. If you've been thinking, "My lawn is all weeds!", try the best way to get rid of weeds permanently. We'll share tips on how to kill them in the lawn without killing the grass and how to get rid of them naturally. Back to our Blog.
