We all dream of the perfect lawn, and many of us can achieve that when we have the right tools in our arsenal. Sometimes, however, we run into lawn care problems, like weeds, that can’t be fixed with outdoor power equipment. Weeds are a constant problem for homeowners but they are fairly easy to spot in the spring, so now is the best time to rid your yard of these unwanted plants. It only takes one weed to ruin a beautiful lawn so read more to learn how to identify common weeds and how to kill them.
Dandelion
These bright yellow flowers are easy to spot. They appear in the spring and fall, and eventually fade to form a white puffball. Dandelions grow long taproots, which are large and dominant roots from which other roots sprout. Taproots are very thick and grow directly downward.
You can remove dandelions by digging them up by hand, but you’ll need to remove at least two inches of the taproot to keep the plant from growing back. You can also apply post-emergent herbicides which kill actively growing weeds that have already emerged from soil. These herbicides work well on destroying dandelions because they will be able to penetrate the entire root. If you’re developing your lawn, these should fade away as the grass gets thicker, blocking seeds from the soil.
Crabgrass
This is a grassy weed with blue-green leaves that form a crab-like circle. Crabgrass begins to grow in the spring, typically in thin or bare areas, or in dry soil. Mowing the grass too short, overwatering, and underwatering invite crabgrass into your lawn.
Pre-emergent herbicides kill weeds before sprouts emerge from soil and are your best defense against crabgrass.
Annual Bluegrass
This blue-green grass appears in late summer and grows in clumps that are thinner than crabgrass. These weeds sprout in overwatered areas and poorly-drained soil, sprouting seeds on its tips when it grows.
A pre-emergent herbicide will prevent the growth of these weeds. If annual bluegrass already exists in your lawn, bag your clippings to prevent the seeds from spreading.
White Clover
The white clover is a three leaf clover with round white flowers that grows in lawns with nutrient-poor soil.
To stop these weeds from growing in your yard, improve soil nutrients. Broadleaf herbicide treatment is useful, but you may need to apply several applications in the spring and fall to destroy these weeds.
Creeping Charlie
Creeping Charlie is also known as ground ivy and has round, dark green leaves with scalloped edges. It appears in the spring and tends to grow in shaded, most areas with poor soil.
To combat these weeds mow high, water infrequently, and use post-emergent herbicides. The herbicides will kill the weeds but this may take several treatments.
Chickweed
Chickweed, with thin stems covered in tiny leaves, grows in areas where moist soil, shade and good soil are present.
Chickweed can be removed and pulled out of the soil easily, which stops these weeds from spreading. If there is a large area of your lawn covered in Chickweed, crush the stems and apply nitrogen. The nitrogen will be absorbed into the plants, killing them. If chickweed is a regular problem for your lawn, apply a pre-emergent herbicide in the spring and fall.
To prevent the growth of weeds, do things to promote a healthy lawn such as mowing high, leaving grass clippings on the lawn as mulch, fertilizing, and tending to bare spots. Weeds are obnoxious but if you understand common lawn weeds and the options available to fight them, you can successfully rid your lawn of them.
You May Also Enjoy These Articles:
Watering the Lawn: 5 Things to Consider
8 Best Practices for Effective Mowing
5 Lawn Mower Tune-up Tips for Spring
Why Weingartz?
Weingartz, family owned and operated, began in 1945 as a farm supply store for local Michigan families. In the 1970s, we began to focus exclusively on outdoor power equipment. Over time, we morphed into the “power equipment superstore” that now defines all of our locations. The staff and experts at Weingartz work diligently to provide the best service possible and give honest and helpful advice to each and every customer.
Weingartz also sells parts for all outdoor power equipment at https://weingartz.com/parts-lookup.
11875 Northland Dr.
Cedar Springs, MI 49319
(616) 696-2913
info@weingartz.com
Connect With Us!
https://www.facebook.com/WeingartzLawnToSnow
http://pinterest.com/MrWeingartz
Learn More About Brand Specific Lawn Mowers
Sign up for our electronic monthly newsletter for discounts and money-saving tips.
