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Last Updated on August 9, 2021 by woodcutter
Weeds are like an infection; once they start to sprout, there is nothing to stop them from spreading if you do not take action. This can cause a significant blow to your lawn grass’s appearance and growth. It is especially true during the turf’s active growth period when they tend to sprout due to favorable summer atmospheric conditions. So, how do you get rid of a lawn full of weeds? In this article, I will help you with proven methods you can easily use to get rid of the weeds.
On top of that, I shall share some useful tips you will have to consider these methods to yield good results. These include proper timing and the appropriate application of the way you will be using in getting rid of the weeds on your grass. These tips are important because they influence the effectiveness of methods for weed removal in your lawn.
Method 1: Use of herbicides
Herbicides are inorganic chemicals used to kill the weeds by contact. This method is the most effective when it comes to dealing with weeds permanently. Most of the herbicides function by depriving the weeds of necessary resources.
The chemicals can be classified into pre-emergence, which you apply before the weeds emerge from the ground and post-emergence you use after. In addition to this, they are selective and non-selective herbicides. Follow these tips on how to get rid of weeds in the grass:
Know how to identify weeds
Ability to determine the kind of weeds growing on your lawn will help you when it comes to selecting a herbicide. As I have mentioned earlier that some herbicides are non-selective meaning, and they kill a more extensive range of weeds while some are selected such that some tough weeds can survive to a certain extend. Here is a compiled list of plants:
● Broadleaf weeds
These live up to their name, being broad-leafed and easily identified, such as chickweed. However, they are one of the most problematic when they start sprouting on your lawn, ruining its outlook and establishment.
● Perennial weeds
These kinds can lay dormant during wintertime and suddenly start sprouting soon as springtime brings warmth. An example is dandelion.
● Biennial weeds
Like the perennial, the seeds lie dormant during the winter, sprouting during spring time, suddenly dying within their second year. These weeds, like perennials, are also quite challenging to deal with.
Know when to apply the herbicides
As I have mentioned earlier, pre-emergence weed killers destroy the weeds before they even appear, while in their dormant state. The best time to apply them is just after weeding operation, especially towards winter to counter dormant perennial and biennial weed seeds. Post-emergence weed killers must be used when the weeds are visible; this includes while they are thriving.
I also urge you to follow safety protocols when you are working with herbicides. It does not matter if you are working on a home lawn, so put on your protective gear like a face mask and do not spray against the wind.
Know which type of weed killer to employ
Use selective weed killers when weeds are visible on your lawn’s small areas because the herbicides target broadleaf weeds. If weeds are present in a broader area of your lawn, then use triple action lawn treatments. They will kill broad-leafed weeds, but they will also feed the lawn and kill off any moss. Please note that weed killers will not harm your lawn, so do not worry.
Choose the right way of application for your herbicide
If the coverage of weeds on your lawn is extensive, I recommend using a pressure sprayer. You may use ready to use granules when the area is quite small.
Apply herbicides soonest after trimming your lawn
Applying post-emergence herbicides during this time effectively kills weeds faster.
Method 2: Manual weed killing
This is one of the oldest ways of dealing with weeds; if you have bent down to pull out the weeds, you apply it. However, the use of tools has made this method more productive by eliminating weed roots left intact when hand pulling goes wrong. Follow these tips on how to get rid of weeds in the grass:
Avoid cutting your grass too short
Avoid cutting your lawn by more than a third of its height. This will ensure weed growth is reduced and effectively cancels out any competitive weed advantage. Instead, allow for frequent mowing at a higher setting. Also, reduce the frequency of mowing when your lawn lies dormant to prevent it from dying out.
Adequately water your lawn just before engaging in hand pulling
If you are going to do it the orthodox way by bending down to hand pull, I suggest you water your lawn before this activity. This will enable you to pull out whole weeds with their roots with little force. In addition to this, your lawn will be able to recover fast on areas that have been disturbed fully. However, hand pulling is only suitable for short term purposes.
Make use of tools
Make use of lawn weed pullers for an effective manual pulling operation. This tool enables you to pull out the weed roots even when there is little moisture. The Fiskars weed puller, which is available on the market, is a good example. You simply pull and eject to altogether remove the weed with remarkably little effort! Just make sure you plant lawn seeds on those patches left after pulling out the weeds.
Method 3: Take adequate care of your lawn
Weeds like crabgrass thrive when you have your lawn in a poor state, having some patched areas, and having your lawn growing poorly. It is thus essential for you to give your lawn all the care you can. Follow these tips on how to get rid of a lawn full of weeds:
Reduce the compaction of turf’s soil by aerating it.
Compaction reduces infiltration reaching your lawn’s root zone, air, and nutrients, thus producing a weak turf. Most weeds will thrive under such hard conditions at the expense of your lawn. To counter this, carry out core aeration during summer for summer grasses and winter for the winter turfs. This enables your grass to recover fully.
Do not aerate when the grass is dormant
In such a time, your lawn is dormant will not recover from aeration process, leaving your turf with patches in which weeds thrive on.
Keep up with proper lawn maintenance schedule
- In fall, seed your lawn after carrying out your aeration.
- Only mow your lawn once before winter, not forgetting to fertilize your lawn.
- Upon the arrival of summer time, then you can apply pre-emergence herbicides.
- In summertime, regularly mow down your lawn without exceeding a third of its height.
Adequately water your lawn
Do not let your lawn dry out entirely by always keeping the ground reasonably moist. Failure to do so can result in patching on your turf, which some drought-resistant weeds take advantage of.
Method 4: Use natural weed controls
Those who prefer doing it the eco-friendly way will be glad to know that acetic acid, commonly known as vinegar, can kill some weeds. The only tip you have to follow is to use acetic acid of concentration greater than 5%, like 10% and 20% concentrations.
Method 5: Start on the right foot
They do not say prevention is better than cure. Before ever starting your landscaping, make sure the area you want to set your lawn on is thoroughly prepared. By this, I mean proper tilling of the soil to disturb any weeds sprouting and their seeds. As the only tip here, take a further step by applying pre-emergence weed killers so that most weed seeds, if not all, will be destroyed.
A final word on how to get rid of weeds in grass
Though chemical treatment can be considered more effective than manual weed killing, it usually takes longer to kill those weeds entirely. I know some herbicides which make as long as three weeks! I would recommend for you to employ both chemical and manual methods at the same time. For instance, you could start using a lawn weed puller and then apply either a pre-emergence or post-emergence herbicide.
More so, follow mixing instructions when working with non-ready-mix herbicides so that the right mix will be able to kill those weeds effectively. Finally, do not rush to buy any herbicide available on the market without seeking expert opinion. Luckily most salespeople in hardware shops can guide you on what weed killer would work in your case. I hope this puts to rest ” how to get rid of a lawn full of weeds organically.”