The history of having the perfect American lawn started after World War II. We dream of that green lush lawn we can walk barefoot in.
But, are weeds in your yard? Weeds can be unsightly and ruin your dream of the perfect lawn. Not only do weeds make your yard look worse, but they also steal valuable nutrients from your grass. Weeds can also spread quickly and get taller than your grass—overtaking your lawn.
Wondering how to get rid of weeds? We’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn more about how to control weeds and get the beautiful lawn that’s the envy of all your neighbors.
Different Types of Weeds
In order to learn how to clear weeds in your yard, you need to understand the weeds. Weeds are also plants like grass, and because of this, they need the same things to flourish like your green lawn.
Weeds grow when the soil is compacted and the grass is cut low. These are ideal conditions for weeds to grow.
There are a few different types of weeds.
Broadleaf Weed
The leaves of these weeds are flat and broad. These weeds include ground ivy, clover, dandelions, plantain, thistle, chickweed, dollarweed, and oxalis.
Grass-like Weed
These weeds may resemble grass but they grow in a more tubular or hollow shape. These weeds include wild garlic, nutsedge, and wild onion.
Grassy Weed
These weeds are similar to grass and also grow in blades. They look like grass from a distance. Types of grassy weeds include foxtail, crabgrass, quackgrass, and annual bluegrass.
These weeds go dormant in the winter like your grass. They will reemerge in the spring and spread through seeds and roots. Some winter seeds can still germinate in cold weather.
Choose the Right Treatment
Once you identify the types of weeds in your yard, you can choose the right treatment. Products are specifically designed for each of these weeds and can be used for only that variety of weeds.
Herbicides
Lawn herbicides are selective, so they target the weeds and do not kill the most common types of grass. They are formulated to be effective at killing each type of weed mentioned above.
Herbicides are easy to use—you mix the concentrate with water. Then you put it in a sprayer. You want to make sure you soak your target weeds as you spray. They will eventually turn brown and die.
You still should be careful when you use them because not all products are safe for all types of grass. Check to make sure the treatment says you can use on your lawn variety. Make sure that treatment is also formulated for the weed you want to kill.
You want to be careful about using non-selective weed killers with glyphosate. These weed killers kill all vegetation and may clear your yard entirely (including the grass).
Make sure you remove the dead weeds. You need to get the leftover plant away from the soil.
Crabgrass
You can control crabgrass by using a pre-emergence preventer in the spring. You should spread this between your first and third mowings. These preventers are typically granules that you add to your lawn with a spreader.
If you have crabgrass show up later in the year, you can hand-pull clumps to prevent it from reseeding. You can also let it go to spring and then use the preventer at the right time. There are also post-emergence crabgrass killers that you can use on clumps.
Systemic weed killers will kill the plants at the roots and prevent them from coming back. It takes about two to four weeks for the complete process to work.
How to Clear Weeds Naturally
It is possible to complete weed removal naturally—it will take more time and effort. One way to kill weeds naturally is to use vinegar.
Spray vinegar directly on the weeds. It will dry out the leaves and kill the plant above ground. You want to find a vinegar that has more than the standard five percent acetic acid.
This works well if you have a few weeds throughout your lawn. If you have larger spreads, you may want to stick with a safer and more effective herbicide.
How To Prevent Weeds From Growing
Proper lawn care is the best way to prevent weeds. If your lawn is stressed, there is a greater chance weeds will take over. Here are some tips for a great lawn to control weeds.
Mow Higher
Weed seeds need sunlight to sprout—so block out the sun! Next time you mow, raise the height of your mower. Try one of the two highest settings of your mower.
This will also help your grass grow thick and tall, and it will shade the soil. This will make it less likely for weeds to sprout.
Feed Regularly
You should feed your lawn regularly, which is about every six to eight weeks during the prime growing season. This will keep your lawn lush, so there is no room for weeds to grow. You can also take your lawn to the next level by dethatching and aerating as needed.
Water Deeply
Make sure you water deeply to get to the deeper roots, and water in the morning when the soil is cooler. You won’t have to water as frequently if you water for longer periods of time. If you complete shallow and frequent waters, you can create shallow roots in your grass.
Shallow roots make it easier for your lawn to suffer during the hot summer days or during a drought. This will cause bare and thin spots where weeds will move in. If your lawn has deep roots, it will crowd out the weeds because it will be thicker.
Find the Right Lawn Care Package to Get Rid of Weeds
If you need help to get rid of weeds, you can select the right lawn care package for your Cape Cod property. A lawn company will help you get the lawn you’ve always wanted.
Ready to get started? Contact Imperial Landscaping and Masonry to get your personalized lawn care package and get rid of those weeds for good.