If you're battling weeds invading your lawn, it might be time to try some new tactics. This article will cover both chemical and non-chemical strategies that you can use to keep weeds at bay.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using Chemicals
Step 1. Find the weeds growing in your lawn
Weeds generally look different from the rest of the lawn. You may notice flowers appearing, especially if dandelions are a problem for your lawn. You may also notice different colors, shapes and textures in your lawn, indicating the growth of other plant species.
It can be difficult to notice weeds on a lawn that has been well mowed, so set the mower aside for a while to see if you can notice any weeds
Step 2. Learn that the large leaves of the weed make it easier to find
Grass is not a broad-leaved plant, whereas many weeds usually are. The difference makes it easy to target broad-leaved weeds with chemical herbicides.
Some herbicides are designed to feed your weed while killing weeds. Check out the products at your local garden equipment store
Step 3. Apply the herbicide between late spring and early fall
Weeds tend to grow mainly during the months between spring and fall. Avoid spreading the herbicide in late fall when the grass is about to "hibernate," as this won't do much to stop the weeds from reappearing in the spring.
Step 4. Decide whether to use a herbicide for the whole lawn, or to use a more specific product
You can apply a general treatment to the whole lawn to kill weeds and feed the grass or manually apply a specific herbicide on the weeds you find.
If you have a large lawn, consider getting a backpack pump to spread the chemicals. it may be easier than continuing to fill a watering can
Step 5. Feed your lawn two weeks before applying the herbicide
The herbicide will likely be most effective when used about two weeks after feeding the lawn. This is because the fertilizer will encourage weed growth, giving you more surface area to spread the herbicide on.
However, don't feed your lawn early if you're planning on using a herbicide that also contains fertilizer
Step 6. Use a spray bottle for manual applications
A spray can make manual application more efficient. If possible, set the sprayer on the narrowest nozzle, rather than one that will allow the herbicide to turn into mist on your lawn.
If you don't want to use a spray, you can also use a herbicidal gel that you can apply directly to the leaves of the weed
Step 7. Stop mowing the lawn for a while
Try to apply herbicide when you haven't just mowed the lawn. This will allow the leaves of the weeds (the parts that will absorb the herbicide) to grow back again after the last mowing so that applying the herbicide is easier.
Step 8. Apply herbicide when there is moisture in the soil
The ideal is to apply the herbicide if it has rained in the previous days. If you have a sprinkler system, apply the herbicide in the morning after the grass has dried but while the soil is still wet. Controlling humidity is a good idea because herbicide can damage your lawn if applied when the soil is too dry.
Do not apply the herbicide if rain is forecast for the same day, as rain may wash away the herbicide, rendering it ineffective
Step 9. Try to limit the use of your herbicide to twice a year
By applying herbicide more often you could damage your lawn. You should also avoid using herbicide on a newly planted lawn.
Wait until the lawn is well rooted. It would take about a year
Method 2 of 2: Control Weeds Without Chemicals
Step 1. Consider removing weeds manually
You can manually remove weeds sprouting from your lawn using a thin tool such as a "hori hori", a thin weed knife or a metal weeder.
These tools require you to work kneeling or bent over, so you may want to purchase a knee pillow if that's a problem. You could also invest in a long-handled tool
Step 2. Hoe the young weeds
If you find weeds that are still young, you can hoe them away. Try to do this on a dry day so that you can expose their roots when you hoe. That way, they will dry out and die before they can take root again.
Step 3. Try using vinegar as an organic herbicide
Some consider vinegar to be an organic method of killing weeds. But you also need to know that vinegar kills everything it touches and is likely to leave bare patches on your lawn when applied to weeds and grass indiscriminately.
Be very careful when using vinegar and make sure it is applied to the roots of weeds
Step 4. Check for weeds in your flower beds so they don't spread to the lawn
To control weeds in flower beds, you can remove them by hand. You can also lay out a layer of mulch which will help prevent weeds from growing between your plants.
Step 5. Keep your lawn healthy to prevent weeds from growing
Try to prevent bare patches from forming on the lawn and try to resow at the end of each fall. A healthy lawn in general will be less susceptible to weeds. Avoid mowing it too deeply - weaken the grass.
- Apply slow-release fertilizer to your lawn once a year.
- Air the lawn every few years.
Step 6. Add garden limestone to the soil
If you have acidic soil, consider adding garden limestone to your lawn area during the winter to discourage the growth of acidophilic weeds.
Advice
- If hardy plants like brambles are infesting your garden, there are some biological substances you can use to control them. You will need to spray them several times on the young leaves of the bramble.
- Keep infructescences away from weeds.
