Lawn Weed Identification Is The First Step
Most of these weeds, whether broadleaf or grassy, can be controlled the same way across their specific types.
After your lawn weed identification questions have been answered, its time to get after them and use the proper treatment to remove them from your lawn.
Act quickly, so you dont allow these weeds to gain a foothold in your turf.
Remember whenever youre using herbicides, read the product details before use and wear protective equipment to keep yourself safe.
Follow the manufacturers recommendations to protect your kids, garden plants, and animals, and pay attention to the weather so your weed treatment is effective the first time.
Diy Weed Control Solutions
Removing weeds manually can be a daunting process if you have a large lawn. It takes time and might not even be as easy as it sounds. But, the weeds need to go regardless of whether you have the time to do it or not.
The good thing is that you can still enjoy the convenience of spraying herbicides without using chemical solutions.
You can use homemade solutions with readily-available items from your pantry, such as:
A Vinegar Salt Mix
Vinegar alone is useful to get rid of weeds on a small lawn. It is even better when mixed with salt and regular dish soap.
This recipe, one-gallon white vinegar, one cup salt, and one tablespoon salt is an example of a homemade weed control mix.
Soap
Chemically, soap contains a significant amount of oil. This oil breaks down the waxy and hairy surface of weeds after spraying. F
or even better results, you can add a few drops of vinegar to help the soap stay on longer and suffocate the leaves.
A Vodka Mix
If you have a bottle of vodka lying in your pantry, you can make use of it to kill weeds in your lawn. You can use one ounce of vodka, two cups of water and a few drops of dish soap to create a weed-control solution.
When using this solution, be careful not to overdo it and risk destroying the plants. Vodka is quick to dry the leaves and might result in more harm than good if overused.
Corn Gluten Meal
This is quite a surprise, right? You can use corn gluten meal to suffocate weeds in your lawn.
Boiling Water
Perennial Broadleaf Lawn Weeds
These perennial varieties need to be controlled aggressively, or they can take over your lawn, as they come back year after year.
Broadleaf Plantain
A short stalk with broad leaves and five veins at the base makes it easy to identify Broadleaf Plantain in your lawn.
The flower shoots erectly and appears almost prickly but the flowers are soft.
Broadleaf Plantain looks almost like a badly unfolded cabbage, with dark leaves that are thick and leathery, and a tower head.
Low fertilizer application and compacted soils will foster a great environment for plantain weeds, so fertilizing your lawn and aerating your turf are effective at discouraging its growth in your yard.
Control Methods Manual removal of Broadleaf Plantain is more difficult than annual broadleaf weeds. The root goes deeper, and the leaves grow near to the ground which makes it more challenging to pull the root.
You can use tools like the Fiskars Stand Up Weeder to uproot these weeds they work well if you only have a few instances of weeds in your lawn and dont mind keeping on top of them manually once a week.
Chemically, you can use herbicides such as Roundup, Hi-Yield Ferti-Lome, Broadleaf Weed Killer, 2,4-D, MCPP, and others.
I generally encourage homeowners to take a manual approach for low instances of weeds, and use herbicides to spot treat large weed infestations.
Buttercup
Dandelion
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Use A Weed Killer On Your Lawn And Weeds
If you have a weed problem in your lawn, it is important to remove the weeds before they grow and take over. Using a weed killer is one of the best ways you can use to kill crabgrass and other tough weeds. The best way to do this is by using a commercial product that contains either an herbicide or insecticide. Mix these chemicals with water and spray onto any plants you want to kill off. Be sure not to get any of the solutions on any of your plants or flowers that you want to keep!
How To Kill Weeds Naturally: A Complete Guide
Every homeowner knows the feeling: you walk into your yard ready for some rest and relaxation.
Instead, you see weeds.
Theyre popping up through the cracks in your pavers, invading your garden beds, and rearing their ugly heads in your lawn. Youve tried everything to get rid of weeds forever, and youre starting to get discouraged.
Dont worry, though. Theres hope.
Here at Smiths Pest Management, we provide comprehensive natural weed control as part of our lawn care services to Bay Area homes and businesses, so we know its possible to get rid of weeds with natural deterrents.
In this post, well discuss how to kill weeds naturally, and what steps you can take to get the weed-free outdoor space you want.
Lets dive in.
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Common Types Of Lawn Weeds
Just to have a bit of background knowledge, it is good to be able to identify the three main weed types, Broadleaf, Grassy and Grass-type.
Broadleaf have big flat leaves that do not look like grass or needles.
One famous broadleaf weed would be a dandelion, but black medic is another broadleaf weed you may encounter as well.
Grassy weeds can be deceiving because of their similar look to actual grass.
They grow in the same manner as grass as well.
Foxtails and crabgrass are two common types of grassy weeds.
Finally there are grass-like weeds which, again, are similar to real grass and grassy weeds as well.
The difference between grass-like and grassy weeds are that grass-like weeds can look more like a tube, and are not flat.
Wild onion and wild garlic are two well known grass-like weeds.
Sprinkle In Some Salt
Similar to vinegar, salt is an effective weed killer that demands caution when used around grass and other plants. Both rock salt and table salt work when combined with ingredients like dish soap and vinegar, as either a preventative measure or for DIY weed control. For this natural weed killer recipe, follow the steps below.
- 1 tbsp liquid dish soap
To make this simple weed and root killer, mix the ingredients in a large bucket, then add to a spray bottle for more comfortable use. Spray directly onto the weeds, or in areas where you know weeds may pop up soon.
Add vinegar and salt directly to old tree and shrub roots to kill them. Drilling holes in the stump for easier access to the interior helps make the process go a little faster but realize that it will take some time to die completely.
If you want to avoid harming innocent nearby plants, use the same technique when using plain vinegar and wipe the solution along the surface of the weed itself.
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Mowing Properly And Regularly
Your grass should be cut every week during the Spring, and at least every ten days during the summer. Mulching the grass back into the lawn helps spread grass seed and increase turf thickness. Your blades need to be sharpened yearly and never cut the grass more than 1/3 of its total length. Every time your mow your lawn, you also mow the weeds which takes them out of the picture of a couple days, but dont forget that the roots are still alive and well and they will try to grow back.
How To Kill Weeds In Your Lawn Organically
Weeds rob your lawn and other plants of valuable nutrients and moisture. Killing weeds organically without toxic chemicals and herbicides may seem impossible, but it’s not. Some homeowners have had good results from a variety of organic weed control methods such as citrus oil or dish soap in a spray bottle. Use this helpful guide to learn how to kill weeds in a lawn using commercial organic herbicides, organic lawn care and natural weed control.
A well-cared for lawn is the first step to killing weeds organically.
- Apply organic lawn fertilizer regularly to encourage your grass to grow thicker, choking out weeds.
- Water lawn and bedding plants with underground irrigation systems to deprive weed seeds of moisture.
- Use landscape fabric and mulch to prevent weeds around trees and in planting beds.
The best organic weed killers are your hands and a good gardening tool. Weeding is an effective, targeted way to kill weeds in a lawn.
- Dig weeds up by the root using garden tools such as a dandelion digger or sickle blade.
- Weed seeds can lie dormant for years, so avoid perennial weeds by not digging too deeply.
- Weed early and often. Start in early spring before weeds can dig in and grow.
- Hoe planting beds regularly with a dutch or push hoe.
Tip: Wet soil before you weed to make pulling garden weeds out easier.
Tip: Avoid using a flame weeder during dry seasons or while in a drought.
Tip: Be safe. Use a teakettle for boiling, heating and pouring water.
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Natural Ways To Kill Weeds In Grass
So, you just finally got rid of all the persistent weeds that had been gumming up the roots in your garden beds. Everything is looking perfect and things are growing nicely. Theres just one problem: your lawn seems a bit overgrown in places. Not only overgrown, overrun. The weeds are back and theyve found a place that you cant reach without risking your entire lawn⦠or so they think.
There are a ton of highly-toxic or even carcinogenic weed killers on the market that will absolutely get rid of your weeds and leave your grass intact, but were willing to bet youd rather not resort to such measures. Especially if you or your kids have any plans to walk barefoot through that grass at any point in the spring or summer. So whats the alternative? How do we get rid of the weeds on our lawn naturally without killing the grass? Well, well tell you how.
Strengthen The Grass With Balanced Fertilizing And Aeration
Establishing a healthy lawn is a crucial step for getting rid of weeds
The growth of weeds can signal a lack of nutrients in your lawn. For example, lesser trefoil and clover will thrive in poorer conditions, whereas grass will become weak. So, if you want less weeds, then itâs a good idea to give your lawn some TLC. Remove as many weeds as possible first, and then apply a healthy dose of a suitable lawn fertilizer, following the instructions on the packet. The best time to do this is generally in late spring, and then again in autumn.
However, for the best results, aerate your lawn a day or so before you fertilize it. Aerating the soil will ensure that the nutrients can make their way deep down into the roots of the grass, increasing uptake. Some people choose to overseed their lawn after aerating too, which helps to establish dense, lush growth.
Aerating is simple just wiggle a garden fork back and forth in the ground in straight lines up and down your plot, or use a specific aerator tool. This process also helps to break up compact soil and improve drainage, which again, is good for lawn health .
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Withhold Sunlight From Low
One simple way for how to kill weeds and not grass is to keep the unwanted weeds out of direct sunlight. Just like other plants, weeds need sunlight to thrive and develop properly. If you have low-growing weeds like crabgrass, one way to do this is by covering the plant directly.
This method works by using something as simple as a newspaper to lay over them. Eventually, the weed will die out and stop spreading. Shredded paper is also a tremendously useful recyclable material for mulching.
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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Are There Natural Chemicals I Can Use To Kill Weeds In My Grass
There sure are, though you may want to use them sparingly. White vinegar on its own is an excellent way to eliminate weeds and other unwanted plants, but the acetic acid in it will likely kill many of the plants around it as well. If youre going to use it, youll have to spray it directly on each of the weeds. You could also spray it on a cloth and wipe it over the weeds leaves rather than risk spritzing your lawn.
Salt will have a similar effect to vinegar but it carries the same caveats. Salting the earth where the weeds reside will likely destroy the roots of the surrounding grass as well. However, a mixture of liquid dish soap, salt, and vinegar might go a long way in helping prevent weeds before they pop up. Simply mix 1 gallon of white vinegar with 1 cup of salt and 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap, then spray directly onto the weeds or any area where the weeds might have popped up in the past.
Another mixture involves using the elements of your liquor cabinet. Soap, vinegar, and a little bit of vodka will create a potion that can dry out even the most stubborn weeds. Just apply with care. Vodka isnt just for livening up a cocktail, it can dry out grass as well.
Apply Corn Gluten Meal
There are nontoxic products that you can use on your grass that work just as well as herbicides, and the best is corn gluten meal. Corn gluten meal is great for your grass because it contains nitrogen, and it also prevents the seeds from weeds from germinating. You shouldn’t use it if you’ve planted seeds you want to keep, though, as it can have an adverse effect on these as well. It’s best to use corn gluten meal early in the Spring before you see weeds. Applying it to already-established weeds will just be feeding them and can make your problem worse.
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Heres How To Use Weed Killer Correctly And Get The Best Possible Results:
- The timing
Weedkillers should ideally be used on a warm afternoon. There should be no night frost and or rain. The lawn should be dry when using the weed killer, but the soil should not be parched. It is advisable to water the lawn the day before.
- The preparation
The lawn should not be mowed too short, because the plant hormones are absorbed mainly through the leaves. If the soil is low in nutrients, fertilize the lawn about two weeks before applying the herbicide.
- The application
The best way to apply the weed killer is with a watering can. Pay close attention to the directions for use of your product. As a rule, only the heavily infested areas should be treated to use as little herbicide as possible.
Weed killers usually do not harm the lawn grass, but you should make sure that you rinse the watering can well after application before using it for normal watering.
You should also avoid getting drops or spray of the herbicide on other plants, such as garden flowers because they can be harmed by the product. The weeds should be killed after four to six weeks. You can reseed the resulting voids with fresh seed before weeds reestablish themselves.
Use The Right Amount Of Fertilizer
If you don’t fertilize your grass, it’s time to start. Fertilizer is essentially food for your grass, and it provides it with all of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. While it may seem counterintuitive, fertilizer can be a great way to curb a weed problem the trick is to make sure you’re using the right amount. Too much fertilizer can encourage weed growth and send them into overdrive, whereas not enough fertilizer will make your grass too weak to stand up to weeds. The best defense against most types of weeds is a thick lawn to ensure there’s no room for them to take root.
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How To Get Rid Of Weeds
Learn how to kill weeds in your lawn without killing your grass.
Most lawn weeds are opportunists that take root wherever they can find the space and catch a few rays of sunlight. If you already have a weed problem on your hands but arent sure what types are popping up on your lawn, read about some of the most common types of weeds.
For those of you who are ready to fight the good fight, heres a step-by-step guide that will help you get rid of weeds when they start growing on your lawn.
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