Controlling weeds in your lawn is unquestionably challenging. Weeds love taking root where there’s space. These unwanted plants compete with your grass for nutrients.
Always incorporate the best weed removal techniques for your lawn to keep it healthy. But how do you kill weeds in your lawn without killing the grass?
Let’s look at some ways you can remove weeds in your yard without killing desirable grass.
Understand the different weed species:
Weeds grow differently. So, it is essential to understand the type of weeds that grow in your lawn. This way, you would be able to incorporate the best weed removal techniques. For instance, ground ivy usually thrives in areas where the soil is wet.
So, getting rid of this weed requires you to improve soil drainage by ventilating the soil. Doing this will kill the weeds without destroying the grass.
Generally, most weeds grow well when they receive sufficient sunlight. So, consider mulching or using cover crops to control weeds.
Pulling out weeds:
One of the best ways to kill weeds in your lawn without killing the grass is by hand weeding. Hand weeding allows you to pull out weeds using your hands individually.
The first step in hand weeding is to identify the difference between the grass and the weeds. Then, pull out the weeds using your hand. This weed control technique is effective in small lawns.
However, it is undoubtedly tiresome to pull out weeds in a large yard. Note that you have to pull out weeds when they are still in their early stages. Focus on pulling the weeds from the roots.
Flame weeds:
Burning can also help you get rid of weeds. Burn weeds using gas-powered flamers. Focus the flamer on one weed at a time. Flaming weeds destroy them within a few hours.
Also, this weed control equipment when used the right way prevents the lawn from looking charred. Nonetheless, stubborn weeds sometimes require repeated burning for them to die completely. Avoid using gas-powered flamers in extremely dry or fire-prone regions.
Herbicides:
Although herbicides can be harmful to desirable plants, using them appropriately helps you get rid of lawn weeds. Follow all the manufacturer’s instructions when applying herbicides to your lawn.
Failure to do so can kill your plants. Remember, most synthetic herbicides contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your grass. Ensure that the herbicide you use is safe for grass use. Consider using both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides on your lawn.
Pre-emergence Herbicides:
Pre-emergent herbicides help in preventing the growth of weeds. Experts advise using an organic pre-emergent herbicide to kill weeds in your garden. They are much safer compared to chemical fertilizers and cannot destroy the desirable grass in your lawns.
Post-emergence Herbicides:
As the name suggests, these herbicides kill existing weeds. Always use organic herbicides to avoid interfering with healthy grass growth. Additionally, contact herbicides are also a good option.
These chemicals only destroy the part they touch. So, you can kill weeds in your lawn without killing the grass using contact and organic herbicides.
Mowing Properly and Regularly:
You should cut the grass in your lawn regularly to prevent weed growth. It is often advisable to mow the lawn during spring at least once a week. During summer, cut the lawn once every ten days. Doing this helps the lawn grow healthier and greener. It increases turf thickness.
Nevertheless, ensure you cut the grass using a sharp mowing blade. Using sharp mowing blades prevents damage to your leaves. Moreover, do not cut more than a third of the plant. Otherwise, you would destroy the plant.
Aerate Every Year:
Lawn aeration is one of the best weed control practices. Aeration prevents soil compaction. Weeds love growing in compact garden soil with dry conditions. Therefore, when you ventilate the soil, you boost the soil’s water retention.
The best time to aerate the lawn is during spring or fall. There are several methods of aerating soil. Hiring a lawn service will help you aerate the soil correctly.
Best tips for killing weeds in your lawn
Get rid of weeds before germination:
You have to ensure you remove weeds before they germinate. This helps you prevent the spread of weeds and keep your lawn healthy. Constantly evaluate your lawn to check for any weed growth.
Start by monitoring your plant from early spring. It would be best if you used pre-emergent herbicides to prevent your plants from growing. Organic herbicides are usually the safest. Also, ensure you follow all the manufacturer’s guidelines labeled on the product.
Pulling out weeds before they germinate is also an effective control method. Lawn experts advise keeping a close watch on your lawn before your weeds germinate.
Know the difference between lawn weeds and lawn grass
Of course, you cannot identify every weed in your garden. But it is good to have a clear picture of how your weeds look like. Determine the difference in appearance between the grass and weeds.
Doing this helps you kill weeds without killing grass. Once you know how your weeds look in the lawn, it will be easier to pull them out or flame them. Also, remember, herbicides require application in the affected areas only. So, it would be best if you sprayed weeds only.
It is therefore essential to distinguish between desirable grass and unwanted plants on the lawn. If you have no clue how to go about this, it would be best to employ a lawn expert such as Doctor Lawn or Truegreen to spray the herbicide.
Safety:
Spraying synthetic herbicides jeopardizes your safety. These products contain toxic chemicals that can harm the plant. Also, these toxic chemicals can harm your pets and children. So, keep everyone away from the lawn for at least 24 hours after spraying herbicides.
It would be better to use organic herbicides. They contain 100% natural ingredients. Hence, they are less harmful to the plant. Wear protective garments when spraying herbicides. Protect your hands, eyes, face, and other body parts that can come in contact with the herbicides.
Water the plants, not the weeds:
When watering your lawn, avoid watering the weeds. Try as much as possible to water desirable grass. Consequently, you would dehydrate the weeds and cause them to die.
Watering the entire lawn evenly encourages weeds to grow. Also, prevent sunlight from reaching the weeds. You can do this by mulching the lawn using dyed mulch. These weed control techniques are pretty much effective, yet they ensure the grass stays healthy.
Why should I kill weeds in my lawn?
If you want a healthy and beautiful lawn, you have to get rid of weeds. Killing weeds in your lawn boosts the aesthetics of your outdoor space. Every homeowner wants a neat-looking lawn. Therefore, controlling weeds is critical.
Not to mention, the aesthetics of your property determine the value of your property. You are more likely to attract potential buyers quickly if you have a neat-looking lawn. Also, you can raise the selling price of the house if you have an inviting outdoor space.
Getting rid of weeds from your lawn discourages pests and diseases. A weed-infested yard is likely to attract bugs. Maintaining a pest and disease-infested lawn can be challenging. Therefore, it is essential to remove weeds from the garden.
Remember, starting a lawn is not a walk in the park. You definitely don’t want all your money, time, and effort to go to waste.
Removing weeds on my lawn the right way
It is possible to kill weeds in your lawn without killing grass. However, you have to use the right weed control techniques. Some of these techniques include using flamers, spraying organic herbicides, and aerating the soil.
When removing weeds from your garden, use the right garden tools and always wear protective clothing and conduct this process during early spring. The weed control technique you use often depends on your requirements.
So, analyze the lawn requirements before incorporating a specific weed control method. It is always advisable to consult a professional on the best weed control techniques to use.