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How To Fix Weed Infested Lawn

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How To Fix Dandelion Infested Lawn Best Ways To Kill Dandelion

How to Fix a Patchy, Weedy Lawn | This Old House

Dandelions are loved by young children for their bright yellow blossoms and their delightfully entertaining, fluffy seed heads, but most lawn-care professionals despise them. Dandelions are a type of weed known as broadleaf perennials, which are notoriously difficult to eliminate. Dont worry, there are certain ways through which you can fix Dandelion Infested lawn which we are describing in this article.

  • We have also prepared an FAQs section at the end to address your most asked questions related to Dandelion infestation.

Once the 10-inch-long taproot of a dandelion plant is fully formed, the weed will return year after year, spreading its spawn throughout your lawn. If you want to get rid of dandelion for good, you must destroy or remove the entire taproot, or else the undesirable sprout will return with fury. If the dandelion infestation is severe, you may need to remove the entire grass and start over.

Now, Lets discuss why they are so hard to deal with.

The Benefits Of A Weed Free Lawn

There are two main reasons why people want to see green grass and not much else on their turf. The first is appearance: they look bad. People dont want yellow heads sticking up everywhere from dandelions, painful shrubs growing up from thistles, bunchy short plants growing like clover, and invasive purple eyesores like creeping bellflower spouting up everywhere. Weeds are essentially like acne natural yet unwanted.

The Yard Dawgs specialty is ensuring the lawns we service stay green and weed free all season long.

The second reason to go weed free is that weeds are invasive by nature they want to grow as much at possible at the expense of other plants around it. Its a dawg eat dawg world when it comes to lawn weeds. Whenever a drop of water, nutrient, or beam of sunlight comes down its a big competition for who gets it. Your grass roots are going head-to-head with the roots of weeds.

If you let nature take its course, unfortunately the weeds will win. They are a yearly problem for millions of homeowners everywhere. Weeds also reproduce much more rapidly than your lawn’s grass. A single dandelion can produce up to 200 seeds, which is potential for 200 more dandelions.

Your grass cannot thrive so long as weeds are there stealing nutrients from your turf. The only way to have flourishing grass is to minimize the potential for weeds and do it without harming your lawn.

I Think There Are Grubs In My Lawn

If youve spotted more than a few fat, C-shaped grubs in your soil when digging, youll need to take action. Heres the lifecycle: Beetles emerge in early summer, feed on plants, then lay eggs in the soil. The eggs hatch in late summer as grubs, and then go to town eating plant and grass roots. The best way to stop this cycle is to treat the lawn before the grubs hatch. This means applying Scotts® GrubEx® in spring or early summer. Simply set and fill your spreader and apply it to a dry lawn, following the directions on the label, then water to activate the product. To learn more about controlling grubs in your lawn, check out How to Control Lawn Grubs.

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Ive Got Crabgrass In My Lawn

Theres no argument about it: Crabgrass is a troublemaker. The best way to treat it is to keep it from appearing in the first place. Use Scotts® Turf Builder® Halts Crabgrass Preventer with Lawn Food* in early spring to stop crabgrass from sprouting and protect your lawn all season long, while fertilizing at the same time for strong, lush grass growth. Crabgrass already making its unwanted presence known? Stop it cold with Scotts® Spot Weed Control for Lawns, which kills crabgrass down to the root without harming the lawn.

Killing Dandelions In Lawn With Vinegar

Stop Chinch Bugs in Their Tracks

People ask, how to get rid of dandelions naturally and the answer is simple. To kill dandelions with the natural acidity of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, just simply fill a spray bottle with pure vinegar and spray the undesirable plant.

After spraying vinegar, the leaves of dandelions will wither and become brown in a matter of hours. Doing this on a hot, sunny day will fasten up the dandelions demise. Pull the plant out after it has died back and clean the area with water.

Use of vinegar mixture

If you only have time to attack your dandelions on a cool or gloomy day, lemon juice will boost the potency of your vinegar. Dish soap will help the mixture stick to the leaves, giving the vinegar and lemon juice more time to work against the weed. Choose an all-natural, biodegradable dish soap for this recipe.

Combine 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1-quart vinegar in a mixing bowl. Fill a spray bottle halfway with this mixture and spray it all over the dandelion. Spray the dandelion again if it hasnt entirely faded after three hours to get rid of the dandelion infested lawn.

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What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Weeds Permanently

Even though we consider weeds a nuisance, theyre plantsjust like grass, flowers or shrubs! That means theyll grow just as thick and rampant as our favorite herbs if we let them.

So, the best way to get rid of weeds is to make your lawn an environment where its difficult for them to thrive.

Low-mowed grass, compacted soil and water-deprived turf all encourage weeds. Reversing these problems and maintaining a healthy lawn is the best way to permanently say goodbye to weeds.

Precautions For Using Broadleaf Herbicides

  • Ornamental plants, trees, shrubs, and vegetables can be susceptible to these chemicals. Do not spray around homes and gardens when there is a wind. Even a slight breeze is likely to carry spray droplets to susceptible ornamental and garden plants.
  • Dicamba and triclopyr are included in many herbicide combination products and also in some weed and feed combinations. This and other broadleaf herbicides move readily in some soil types and can be absorbed by plant roots. Therefore, products containing dicamba in particular should not be used near the drip-line of trees or near ornamentals where it can be absorbed by roots.
  • Do not use any of these herbicides on newlyseeded turf. Wait until the new lawn has been mowed at least 3 times before treating .
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    Managing Weeds In Lawns

    • Identifying weeds and understanding why they’re growing where they are is key to controlling them.
    • Try to tolerate a few weeds as long as your lawn is generally healthy.
    • Some non-chemical cultural practices favor desirable grasses over weeds.
    • If you do use chemicals, different lawn situations may need different types of herbicides.
    • When using herbicides, follow the label directions exactly as printed on the product container.

    A weed is described as “a plant out of place.” What may be a hated weed invader for some, might be a tolerable ground cover to someone else.

    While sustainable lawns may have some weedy plants in them, having well-adapted grass varieties will help keep weeds to a minimum.

    • A few weeds in a lawn are not a serious threat to lawn health.
    • You can adjust cultural practices to keep plants healthy when controlling weeds with reduced or no use of herbicides.
    • Find out the reasons behind increased weed growth before using an herbicide to kill weeds. Killing weeds without correcting underlying problems only invites continued and often increased weed invasion.
    • Promote plant health to create a vigorous lawn that can prevent any serious weed problems from taking over.
    • Knowing which weeds are invading your lawn is important when deciding whether or not control measures are needed and when they need to be carried out. It is also important in determining the most appropriate herbicide product to use, if needed.

    These steps are one example of a simple weed control plan:

    Tips On Repairing A Lawn Full Of Ugly Weeds

    How to Patch a Smothered Lawn | Ask This Old House
  • Killing the weeds. Some people are happy to use herbicides, others prefer natural alternatives. However you like to do it, choose a good weed killer and be thorough when you spray it. Of course, some old-fashioned digging out may also be required.
  • Repairing your lawn. Firstly, dont start with the grass seed while youre still wielding the weed killer as it will stop new grass growth in its tracks. When youve killed the weeds, prepare the lawn for seeding by lightly raking it and sprinkling it with quality peat-free top soil or compost. Once the seeds are sown, add another layer of top soil or compost to help keep the birds away.
  • Watering your lawn. Your lawn needs a good amount of water, especially when youre repairing it. The great British weather is pretty unpredictable, so while its likely that you might not have to get the hose out very often, consider this possibility if the sun comes out! If you need to use a sprinkler, invest in a good quality one its makes a big difference. To minimise your water consumption, a water butt is also a good idea.
  • Feeding your lawn. Dont be afraid of giving your grass, new and old, a helping hand. A good organic fertiliser will help you on your quest for a beautiful green lawn. Regular feeding and fertilising is recommended it will help nurture the kind of strong, healthy grass that you want and keep weeds in check. Much depends on the weather but, as a rule of thumb, you should be feeding your lawn every six to eight weeks.
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    Reseed Bare Smaller Areas Of The Lawn

    Notice any patches on your lawn? Theyre likely due to heavy traffic or insect or disease problems. The good news is those small spots of bare lawn can be reseeded.

    Before repairing patches, aerate the lawn wherever there is compaction and apply compost or starter fertilizers to help lawn growth, says Mbofung-Curtis. When covering patches with topsoil and seed, gently water the area with a garden hose, taking care not to wash off the seeds.

    Larger patches on your lawn should be covered with new pieces of sod.

    Water Your Lawn Regularly

    Keeping your lawn healthy in summer can be tricky because it needs extra care. So if you have just come home from a vacation and there are patches of dead grass all over your garden, the best thing you could do is to water the lawn with a hose or sprinklers.

    Using the former is an excellent idea because it can reach every corner of the garden, especially if you happen to have a good hose reel cart on wheels.

    Remember that less is more when dealing with a dead lawn. It means you shouldnt drown the grass in water. Keep it light and stick to your standard watering schedule.

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    Spread Some Grass Seed

    Use your hands or a broadcast spreader to spread grass seed throughout your lawn. Want more power? A slit-seeder cuts little slits in your yard and plants the grass seed automatically.

    Before sowing the grass seed, dethatch your yard to expose the soil by a ½ inch, and soak your yard. Start sowing at the edge of your area. Divide the remaining seed and apply half while walking in one direction, and the rest while walking in another. Lightly cover the seeded area with compost and topsoil.

    When you overseed is dependent on where you live.

    Northern Climates:

    Overseed in late summer or early fall to help young grass germinate, establish strong roots, and store food needed for spring.

    Southern Climates:

    Overseed in the early summer to help it grass grow strong roots and store nutrients right before fall.

    Ways To Remove Weeds From Your Lawn

    What Should I Do If I Have Infestation And Disease In My Yard?

    Weeds dont play fair, and a weed infestation on your lawn can damage your lawn irreparably. Weeds are invasive vigorous growing plants that compete with turf grass for water, air, and soil nutrients. Weeds eventually overwhelm and smother lawn grass, and it is best to get rid of them before they are established on your lawn. In this regard, we have prepared a list of 12 proven ways you can use to rid your lawn of weeds. They include various methods, ranging from toxic to organic.

  • Chemical-based herbicides are an effective way of eliminating weeds from your lawn. Several environmentally friendly chemical-based herbicides are sold at garden stores. You have the option of diluted ready-to-use products or more potent concentrates that you can mix according to instructions. Consult a professional to know the suitable herbicide for your lawn and follow instructions for safe use.
  • Smother them with newspapers lack of sunlight and air will kill the weeds on your lawn. Covering your lawn with wet newspapers in ten-sheet layers will smother existing weeds and keep fresh ones from germinating.
  • Dig or pull them out some homeowners may prefer old-fashioned digging or pulling weeds which is an excellent way to remove weeds from your lawn altogether. Loosen the soil by watering your lawn beforehand, and pull the roots out of the soil to prevent weeds from re-sprouting.
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    Use A Selective Herbicide

    You want to choose a weed killer which has been engineered to kill the weed but not that the grass you have. Selective means it won’t kill all plants it’s applied to. 2,4-D is the more common selective herbicide. Using it properly has minimal risks and is extremely effective at killing weeds without killing your grass.

    Selective herbicide works by entering the leaf of the weed and changing the way the plant handles nutrients. It causes it to literally grow and age itself to death. Selective herbicides typically take 4-14 days to see very strong results but can literally start to work overnight. It is an effective way to kill 99% of broadleaf weeds down to the root so that the same weed shouldnt be a problem in the future.

    If you want to do this yourself the products, we recommend would be either Weed B Gon or Killex. These products can be purchased at a local hardware store such as Home Depot or Lowe’s.

    Safelawn Natural Lawn Feed

    If you are wanting a child and pet friendly option then we recommend using our SafeLawn Natural Lawn Feed Not only will SafeLawn help grass to outcompete weeds and prevent them from establishing again, but it will also feed your lawn all year round, as well as creating a thicker, stronger lawn. All you need to do is apply every 3-4 Weeks from February to September when the grass is actively growing. Furthermore, you can be rest assured that using this product is natural so is safe to use around children and pets.

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    Whats The Best Way To Get Rid Of Weeds

    Having taken a close look at the several weed control options available, we have concluded that using chemical-based selective herbicide products and organic vinegar are the two best methods for getting rid of weed growing on your lawn. Although techniques like pulling weeds by hand and newspaper mulching are popular methods for getting rid of weeds, they are not as practical as our two picks, nor can they be sustained for long-term use on extensive lawns.

    Chemical-based selective herbicide products.

    Selective herbicides are chemical weed control products that kill or suppress specific plant species while leaving other plants unharmed. They are available in a diluted ready-to-use mixture or concentrated form. Modern selective herbicides are designed with complex chemical formulas to tell-apart different broadleaf and grass plant species for more weed-killing efficiency. This makes selective herbicides a better option for removing weeds from your lawn than non-selective herbicides such as Roundup, which kill all plant types.

    Benefits of selective herbicides.

  • Targeted weed killing capabilities make them ideal for use in gardens.
  • They are not harmful to all plant life, a trait that makes them more environmentally friendly than conventional chemical herbicides.
  • You can apply selective weed control herbicides with a spray can, a cost-effective feature that allows you to use the product over a large area without buying huge quantities.
  • Tips on using selective herbicides.

    Look For Underlying Causes

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  • While its nearly impossible not to have a weed or two in your lawn, poor maintenance is usually responsible for weed-infested lawns. Compacted soil, grass species that do not grow well in your area, insufficient fertilization and watering, along with mowing at a low height all contribute to weak turfgrass that allows weeds to take hold. Review what you can do better and adjust accordingly. Aerate lawns to reduce compaction and thatch to allow grass roots to grow stronger and thicken turf. A healthy,, thick lawn is the best defense against weeds.

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    Water Reseeded Or Sodded Areas

    To maintain adequate moisture until grass seedlings germinate and are well rooted, its important to water reseeded or sodded areas.

    Water your lawn adequately early in the morning or evening to avoid dry spells or wet spells, says Mbofung-Curtis. This will help it grow healthy and improve resiliency to pests and future damage.

    The top inch of soil of a newly seeded lawn should be kept consistently moistbut not soggy. Once you see grass sprouts, keep the top 2 inches of soil moist until the grass grows high enough to mow. Then return to your regular watering schedule, making sure to soak the soil about 6 to 8 inches so the roots will grow deep and strong.

    Apply The Weed Control

    Youre finally ready to apply the herbicide, but youll want to make sure you do so correctly. Timing is everything when it comes to successful weed control. First, avoid applying it under the intense sun, as this combination can burn your grass. Avoid using it if its supposed to rain in the following 24 to 48 hours, as the precipitation can wash away the active chemicals before it has a chance to work.

    If you get a liquid weed killer, you can use a garden sprayer to apply it. Follow the containers dilution instructions and get an even application over all critical areas. If you have a granular weed killer, apply it to large areas with a broadcast spreader or too tight spaces by hand or with a drop spreader.

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