Weeds are the bane of any lawn and any lawn-loving homeowner. Learning how to remove weeds from the lawn is essential for the lawn’s health — not just its beauty. Proper weed control is critical because weeds can:
- Compete for resources such as light, water, nutrients, and space
- Host fungus spores and virus pathogens
- Stunt grass growth and root development
- Change the pH of the soil, impairing grass growth
There are several weed control methods, but each must be employed with care to avoid doing additional damage to your lawn. Battling weeds will require ongoing effort, so let’s explore the best ways to get rid of weeds.
How to Prevent Weeds from Growing
The simplest and best way to get rid of weeds is to keep them from growing in the first place. So, how do you prevent weeds from growing? There are several effective approaches for gardens or bare spaces, such as mulching, growing ground cover, or using landscape fabric. For lawns, however, there are just two ways to prevent weeds:
- Pre-emergent Herbicides: Applied in early spring, these prevent weed seeds from germinating.
- Cultivating Healthy Grass: Dense, healthy lawns crowd out weeds and outcompete them for essential resources. Essentially, all steps of lawn care help to prevent weeds:
- Proper mowing: Taller grass shades the soil, depriving weed seeds of sunlight. And mowing can prevent weeds from developing seed heads and spreading.
- Deep watering: Deep grass roots can tap water reserves weeds cannot reach.
- Aerating the lawn: Breaking up compacted soil improves nutrient uptake, promoting a thicker, denser lawn.
- Proper fertilizing: The right nutrition promotes healthy grass, which can better compete with weeds.
- Overseeding: Filling in bare spots with grass prevents weeds from developing.
- Pest control: Insects and small mammals can spread weed seeds throughout the lawn.
Best Ways to Get Rid of Weeds Without Damaging Your Grass
Once the weeds are growing, the best ways to get rid of weeds in your lawn are those that effectively remove them, roots and all, without damaging the surrounding grass:
- Manual removal: Pulling weeds by hand or using a trowel or weeding tool offers a targeted approach. Pull weeds when the soil is wet, or water the area before pulling to make it easier to get the roots. This is critical because many weeds re-grow from just a portion of the root.
- Post-emergent herbicides: Ideal for widespread weed infestations, applying a post-emergent herbicide targets rooted, sprouting weeds in the lawn. Choose well, and according to the types of weeds growing in your lawn. An herbicide formulated for broadleaf weeds will not be effective against grassy weeds or sedges, and the reverse is also true.
- Homemade weed spray: A homemade vinegar-based spray mixing a gallon of white vinegar with a cup of salt and a tablespoon of dish soap makes an effective weed killer. Spray individual weeds with care. This mixture can harm beneficial insects and may require frequent applications to be effective.
- Boiling water: Pouring boiling water directly onto weeds is a non-toxic weed control method for targeting weeds in the lawn. Most effective on young weeds, this may need to be repeated once a week. Particularly effective for weeds sprouting in the cracks of a sidewalk or driveway, boiling water will hurt any grass it splashes on.
Common Weed Control Methods and Their Effectiveness
There are many ways to remove weeds from the lawn. Determining the best way to kill weeds can depend on the weeds themselves and the lawn’s current condition.
Mechanical Methods
Mechanical weed control involves physically removing or destroying the weeds.
- Hand-pulling: Most effective for removing individual weeds, especially those with shallow roots.
- Mowing: Helps control weeds by preventing seed formation, but it must be done regularly. It does not eliminate weeds but prevents their spread.
- Tilling: Best when creating a new bed for a lawn. While it can disrupt weed roots, it can also bring weed seeds to the soil’s surface, stimulating new growth.
Cultural Methods
Cultural weed control alters the environment to make it less conducive to weed growth.
- Lawn care: A healthy, dense lawn prevents weeds through vigorous competition. This method includes mowing, aeration, fertilizing, and proper watering on a regular schedule.
Chemical Methods
Chemical weed control uses herbicides to kill weeds or prevent their germination.
- Pre-emergent herbicides: Applied before weed seeds germinate, this is how to prevent weeds from growing.
- Post-emergent herbicide: Targets weeds that have sprouted. Selectivity is critical here because some herbicides will kill turfgrass.
Effectiveness
Each of these weed control methods is highly efficient depending on the weed type and the lawn’s condition.
- Mechanical weed control: Most effective when there are few weeds.
- Cultural weed control: Highly effective once the lawn is healthy, dense, and vigorous. Requires ongoing, consistent care.
- Chemical weed control: Must be used carefully to avoid killing the grass.
Learning how to remove weeds from the lawn often requires a combination of all effective methods. If you still have questions about the best way to get rid of weeds, contact us. At Lawn Pride®, we’re always happy to help homeowners enjoy a healthy lawn. Check out our expert tips to learn about all facets of lawn care.
Why Lawn Pride for Weed Control Services?
When you’re the proud owner of a beautiful lawn, weed control is part of homeowner life Consider turning over the weed control chores to the grass experts at Lawn Pride. We know how to remove weeds from the lawn without harming your grass. You’re welcome to sign up for our comprehensive lawn care services or pick and choose as you like. We know you’ll be pleased with our work because the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ backs everything we do.
When you’re ready to sit back and enjoy a lush, healthy lawn without guesswork or backaches, just request your free estimate. Lawn Pride will do the rest.
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not apply to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Lawn Pride is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Lawn Pride for more information and a professional on-site assessment.