How To Get Rid Of Broadleaf Weeds In Lawn

Control Crab Grass With A Crab Grass Preventer In The Spring

• Apply a crab grass pre-emergence preventer between the first and third mowings in the spring.
• Preventers usually come as granules that you put on the lawn with a spreader.
• Make notes in the fall about where your crab grass seems to thrive and treat those areas in the spring.

• Once crab grass shows up in your lawn, you have three options:
• Hand-pull the clumps to prevent the plant from reseeding itself.
• Let the crab grass go until the following spring and then use a preventer at the right time.
• Treat clumps with a post-emergence crab grass killer.

Control Of Broadleaf Weeds In The Lawn

Dandelion, plantain, and white clover are common perennial broadleaf weeds in lawns. Broadleaf weeds in lawns can be removed manually by pulling and digging or destroyed with broadleaf herbicides.

In small areas, some weeds can be controlled by pulling and digging. This method is best accomplished after a heavy rain or deep watering. Unfortunately, pulling and digging is often ineffective on deep-rooted weeds.

In many situations, herbicides are the only practical method of weed control. Effective broadleaf herbicides include 2,4-D, MCPP, and dicamba. The most effective broadleaf herbicide products contain a mixture of 2 or all 3 of these compounds. Combination products control a wider range of broadleaf weeds than a single compound. For example, 2,4-D does an excellent job on controlling dandelions, but is relatively ineffective against white clover. MCPP, on the other hand, provides excellent control of white clover and only fair control of dandelions. Products containing 2,4-D and MCPP effectively control dandelions and white clover. Triclopyr is another broadleaf herbicide. It is typically used on hard-to-kill broadleaf weeds.

This article originally appeared in the August 24, 2001 issue, pp. 106-107.

When To Get Rid Of Wild Violets

Using herbicide to eradicate wild violets is best undertaken in the fall. At this time, the herbicide will be transported down to the taproot as the plant stores nutrients for winter. Thus, you have a good chance of the herbicide killing the plant all the way down to ground level with a fall application. If you use herbicide in the spring or summer, it might only temporarily kill the surface leaves, allowing the plant to rebound.

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How To Get Rid Of Broadleaf Weeds In Lawn

The one thing that every lawn owner has in common is trying to get rid of the broadleaf weed. The number one weed in most lawns. And, for sure the hardest to get rid of.

However, if you are making use of the right method, the right timing, and the right herbicide, you will be able to be successful with getting rid of the broadleaf weed.

But, then you need to make sure that you know everything about getting rid of it. There are some lawn owners that are successful in getting rid of the broadleaf weed.

How To Get Rid Of Plantains

What it looks like: This weed has large, broad leaves on the bottom and tall, vertical flower spikes that emerge from the center. The flower stems can be purple or green and turn black when maturing into seeds.

Where it typically grows: You may find plantains in gardens, turfgrass, pastures, and on roadsides. They can grow at any time of the year except in extreme cold and heat.

How it spreads: Plantains spread by their seeds.

Best ways to get rid of it: A broadleaf killer like Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer targets plantain plants without harming your grass.

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How To Identify Broadleaves

Just as the name suggests, broadleaves often have large leaves, each featuring veins in a net-like pattern. Most broadleaves have fibrous roots, which you may have noticed when trying to remove one. Once mature, many broadleaves grow flowers, though that certainly doesnt make them any more desirable. In contrast, grassy weeds have narrow leaves and may at first look like desirable grass. When grassy weeds germinate, a single leaf emerges whereas in broadleaves, 2 seed leaves emerge. Unfortunately, broadleaves love warm season lawns, like St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, and bermudagrass, where theyll stick out like a sore thumb.

Broadleaves often have large leaves, each featuring veins in a net-like pattern

Some examples of common broadleaves include:

• Beggarweed
• Plantain

Weeding Using A Flame

Flame weeding comes in handy when you start to notice a few weeds growing. This process involves passing a flame over the weeds to kill the plant tissues.

The method, however, does not deal with the weed from the roots. Therefore, you might need to flame a few times to eliminate them.

This method should only be applied when there is the least risk of fire. You want to avoid flaming during the dry spell period for safety.

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Use The Right Herbicide

Some say a broadleaf-free garden only requires extensive pruning. While it can be effective, the problem may recur. Also, manual trimming can be a waste of time and a big hassle for those with less time to devote to lawn maintenance.

The right herbicide can be the solution to achieving a weed-free garden. The best times to apply these herbicides are during the mid-spring or mid-autumn.

Guidelines For Using Postemergence Herbicides

When choosing an herbicide, make sure that it will control the weed and that it is recommended for your turf. Before using, read the entire label and follow it precisely for rate and timing. The following tips will help you achieve optimum control.

• Most broadleaf weeds are best treated in the spring or fall when air temperatures are between 65 and 85 degrees F. During hotter temperatures, turf damage is more likely to occur.
• At the time of treatment, soil moisture should be adequate. When stressed by drought, weed control is poor and turf damage may occur.
• Do not mow immediately prior to or after application. Mowing lessens the amount of surface area that the herbicide contacts.
• With spray applications, treat weeds when no rain is expected for at least 24 hours.
• Avoid treating on windy days because herbicide spray drift can injure ornamental plants.
• Best results occur when weeds are young.
• For acceptable control, repeat applications, 10 to 14 days apart, may be required.

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How To Get Rid Of Creeping Woodsorrel

What it looks like: Also known as Oxalis, this weed has a purple hue and has sets of three heart-shaped leaves. The stems are hairy and they have bright yellow flowers that emerge in the spring.

Where it typically grows: Creeping woodsorrel prefers growing in shade instead of full sun.

How it spreads: The Oxalis plant spreads through its creeping stems and extensive root systems. Its flowers also release seeds that sprout new plants.

Best ways to get rid of it: A weed killer that targets broadleaf weeds like Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer works well to get rid of this plant.

How To Get Rid Of A Lawn Full Of Weeds

If your lawn is overtaken with flowering dandelions, ugly tufts of crabgrass, or sprawling ivy, it may be overwhelming at first. If youre currently facing this situation and want to know how to get rid of a lawn full of weeds, the following guide will walk you through all the steps of weed identification and effective strategies for weed control in lawns.

There are several options for how to get rid of weeds without killing grass. Whether youre facing a host of broadleaf weeds or invasive grasses, a holistic lawn solution will promote grass health and eliminate weeds.

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Lawn Care & Maintenance

If you dont take good care of your turf, its not unusual to see weeds take over your entire lawn.

The most important thing you can do to keep weeds out of your lawn is to make sure it grows in perfect health.

A thick, lush lawn leaves less opportunity for weeds to establish themselves. And crowds out any that start to grow.

Here are some lawn maintenance tips that help to keep weeds away:

What Are The Most Common Lawn Weeds

Lawn weeds are common throughout the world. There are over 30 types of lawn weeds, and they grow in USDA zones 2 through 12. So, if you care for a lawn in your front or backyard, the chances are that you must deal with types of weeds sooner or later.

Here are some of the most common weeds you are likely to see growing in your lawn:

• Creeping CharlieThis irritating lawn weed is an invasive creeping plant with scalloped leaves and clusters of purple flowers blooming in spring.
• DandelionsA common yellow-flowering weed with narrow, lance-shaped irregularly lobed leaves.
• CrabgrassA pesky annual weed that looks like clumps of grass and can make lawns look unkempt and bumpy.
• OxalisThis broadleaf perennial weed often grows in lawns where you dont want it. The weedy plant has clover-like leaves and yellow buttercup flowers.
• QuackgrassA persistent noxious weed with fast-growing, creeping growth that can quickly destroy your lawns appearance.

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Preventing Broadleaf Weed Growth

• You can discourage the growth of broadleaf weeds by implementing cultural practices that promote a thick, healthy lawn that will make it difficult for broadleaf weeds to establish themselves.
• Mow your grass regularly, water deeply yet infrequently and fertilize your lawn at the right time to hinder the development of Broadleaf weeds.
• Understanding which nutrients are needed for your turf variety at the proper time of the year is essential to preventing broadleaf weeds and the overall health of your lawn.

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Having a beautiful lawn comes at a price. Either you spend a moderate amount of money and spend a good amount of time doing it yourself, or you hire a company to handle it for about $350 per season. Its a question of how much time are you willing to invest in it, can you properly do it or do you need help, and is it something you enjoy doing? Regardless of if you do it yourself or hire some help, your goal is the same: Have a beautiful green lawn with no weeds. Ensuring a weed free lawn comes down to having a strategy for prevention, as well as removal for when they breach your lawn defenses. This article will talk about strategies on how to do both so that you can maximize your chances of success. A weed free lawn, is a stress free summer for many homeowners each season.

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Dont Spread The Solution Too Close To Plants

The herbicide is used to get rid of broadleaf weeds, but gardeners can accidentally spread it too close to shrubs and other trees. Dont rush this process. Take your time to achieve a worthy result.

Choose a day when youll have plenty of time to focus on this process. Your efforts will be in vain if the result is destroying other plants, flowers, and shrubs youve worked hard to maintain.

How To Get Rid Of Weeds Without Killing Grass

Its exciting when plants you have nurtured begin to grow in your yard. Green, lush grass. Colorful flower beds. A thriving vegetable garden. UUnfortunately, when it comes to caring for our lawns, theres always one thing you can count on: youre going to have to deal with lawn weeds. One topic thats always in season is how to kill weeds, not grass and how to do it naturally. If you make a lawn weed control plan in advance and attack the problem early in the season, you can make less work for yourself over time. Below, our experts identify some common weeds in the south and what you can do to get rid of them naturally without killing grass or plants.

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Common Lawn Weeds And How To Get Rid Of Them

Even the best-tended lawns come under attack from common weeds. Weed seeds float in on the wind, creeping weeds claim more territory, and weeds you thought you pulled quietly continue to grow. How well your lawn copes with the onslaught depends on the weeds involved, the response you choose and your lawns overall health. Understanding common lawn weeds and the options available to fight them can help you successfully combat the invasion.

To help simplify weed defense, weve charted 10 common lawn weeds, including their characteristics, type and how they spread, and most importantly- how to eliminate them. Weeds, like ornamental garden plants, can be annuals or perennials. Annual weeds, such as crabgrass, complete their entire life cycle in a single growing season, and then die, leaving seeds behind to continue the legacy. Perennial weeds, such as dandelions, come back year after year from their roots, and distribute new seeds to boot. Weeds can also be grass-like, broadleaf or sedge. Choosing the right weed control product requires understanding the weed you want to fight and its stage of growth. Pre-emergent weed controls, sometime called preventers, work to keep weed seeds from germinating and developing. Post-emergent weed controls fight weeds that have already germinated and emerged from the soil.

How To Kill Broadleaf Weeds On Your Lawn

• Identify what weed is invading your lawn, how big of an issue it is, then equip yourself with a broadleaf weed killer like msm turf herbicide to target your broadleaf weed problem.
• You may be tempted to go cheap and buy a general broadleaf weed killer from a box store but you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Our herbicides have a large percentage of active ingredient in high quality concentrates.
• Mixing a small dosage of broadleaf weed killer with water will yield a lot more product and will last you for a whole lot more applications than one watered down generic weed killer container. You’ll save a ton of money over time.

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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:

Using A Lawn Weed Killer

If you have a lot of weeds to get rid of, then using the best weed killer for lawns is the most effective method of control.

Lawn herbicides are selective. This means they target weeds without killing common types of turfgrass.

Theyre formulated to be effective at killing:

• Broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, clover, and chickweed
• Grassy weeds such as foxtail, quackgrass, and crabgrass
• Grass-like weeds such as nutsedge, wild onion, and wild garlic

But you still have to be careful when using them. Not all products are safe to use on all grass types. So check first to make sure your grass is recommended.

Also, stay away from non-selective weed killers containing ingredients such as glyphosate. These kill all vegetation, including your grass.

Herbicides are easy to use. Just mix the concentrate with water and add it to a good weed killer sprayer. Then make sure you soak the target weeds as you spray your lawn.

The weeds should turn brown and die. But, depending on the herbicide, the time taken can vary.

Systemic weed killers are best for killing the plants to the root and preventing them from growing back. But you have to be patient when using them, as they can take from 2-4 weeks for a complete kill.

After the weeds have died you can use a rake and tilling fork to clear the leftover plant from the soil in preparation for reseeding the area or laying sod if necessary.

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The Case For Tolerating Wild Violets

Because wild violets have pretty flowers that bloom early and often, not everyone regards this plant as a weed. Many homeowners choose to let these wildflowers grow in their lawns and elsewhere.

There are several reasons for tolerating wild violets in the lawn:

• It makes for a low-maintenance lawn.
• It avoids the use of herbicide.

Understanding How Weed & Feed Products Work

Lawn and garden products known as “weed & feeds” get their name from two main components: herbicides that kill existing lawn weeds and fertilizers that feed lawn grass. Unlike crabgrass preventers, which contain “pre-emergent” herbicides that work against germinating weed seeds, most weed & feed products contain “post-emergent” herbicides, which focus on weeds that are actively growing in established lawns.

Weed & feeds vary in the common lawn weeds they target and the herbicides and plant nutrients they include, so it’s important to read your product label thoroughly. Common weed & feed products generally rely on “selective” herbicides that target specific broadleaf weeds, so lawn grasses stay unharmed. Some weed & feed products are most effective on weed parts above ground. Others kill top growth and roots, so weeds can’t spring back and repopulate your turf.

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