Annoying weeds can make your lawn look messy and unattractive. Weeds are the unwanted lawn nuisance that always seems to spread quickly and never go away. We want to teach you how to remove weeds properly and what lawn care techniques to implement into your routine to prevent further weed growth.
There are many different types of weeds, but we want to help you identify which weeds are present in your yard so you can better combat them. No matter what type of weeds are popping up in your lawn, you shouldn’t let the spread of weeds stop you from having the best lawn on the block.
If you’re only thinking about weed removal in the summertime, you’re already behind. Simple Lawn Solutions is here to offer our lawn expertise for year-round care.
The Dangers of Grass Weeds
Weeds are not just an eyesore; they are invasive and can be harmful to the health of your lawn. Weeds do not provide any value to your yard, and the presence of such can have adverse effects on the health of your grass. No matter what type of weeds are present in your lawn, they will be competing for nutrients to grow, leaving less room for your grass to flourish.
Failure to properly prevent and remove weeds can result in a deteriorated state of grass that is overwhelmed by these easily out-of-control lawn pests. Consistent weed removal will help you to destroy these annoying and invasive plants over time.
Some types of weeds are more difficult to remove, as some species can be more durable. We will learn more about the different weed types in just a bit.
Getting Rid of Grass Weeds
As much as we’d like to see a full weed removal for any lawn, complete eradication of grass weeds is near impossible. It is possible to lessen the number of existing weed plants and prevent their future seeding, spreading, and growth.
Weeds tend to come back at certain times of the year, but there are several ways you can get rid of existing weeds and prevent future growth. Pulling weeds is a common summer pastime for many homeowners. When performing weed removal, the rule of thumb is to remove it from the root, attacking the weed at the base.
Here are some more weed removal tips and tricks to keep in mind next time you’re looking to clean up your yard:
- Remove weeds when soil is soft and damp for easy pulling
- Discard any plant clippings into a bag to avoid seeding and spreading
- In planting beds, Use a thick layer of mulch after weed removal to prevent regrowth
- Actively weed to prevent overgrowth
- Consult with a professional on appropriate herbicides for your weed type
- Fertilize after you have removed the weeds
These tips can be applied to the removal of many different types of weeds. Some weed types are more stubborn and may need some time to break down. There are weed removal tools available that you can purchase, but there is nothing wrong with a pair of garden gloves and a little elbow grease.
We like the grab and rip routine for weed removal as they can be removed right from the root. Removing weeds by section instead of all-at-once can make the task less daunting and more manageable.
Preventing Weeds in Your Lawn
Weed removal and control are crucial to healthy lawn horticulture, whether in your garden, fields, or lawn. There are easy steps you can implement into your lawn care routine to prevent the growth and spread of different types of weeds.
Here are some lawn care tips you can follow after weed removal to prevent future growth of grass weeds:
- Seeding sparse areas
- Lawn aeration
- Fertilization as needed
- Regular mowing
With these steps, you can achieve optimal lawn health as proper nutrients and a healthy soil environment work together to prevent weed infestation.
The Scoop on Lawn Seeding
Following weed removal, lawn seeding should take place to fill in bare patches of grass. Seeding the lawn after pulling weeds will help to close any gaps in the grass that weeds might otherwise invade.
Here are some tips to prepare your soil before the lawn seeding process:
- Loosen the dirt, so there is little to no compaction
- Level out the ground but make sure to account for proper water drainage in necessary areas
- Remove any debris that can prevent root growth
If your lawn does not need any repair, consider lawn seeding to achieve a thicker lawn.
Why We Love Lawn Aeration
Aeration is the act of puncturing small holes in the surface of your grass that allows it to breathe. Weed removal is essential before lawn aeration as you do not want to perpetuate the spread of weed seedlings.
Aeration is vital for your lawn care routine as it allows nutrients, air, and water to penetrate directly to the grass root and the soil.
Fertilizer Fun
Fertilization is the natural next step following aeration but can be done independently for lawn care at least twice a year. Consider adding fertilizer to your lawn care routine after weed removal to see an improvement in overall grass health.
For a smooth, uniform application, try our liquid lawn food. This fertilizer is made from high-quality ingredients and is excellent for all grass types.
Consider adding fertilization to your lawn care routine to stop weed infestation and increase grass health. You may also want to fertilize your lawn if you notice thinning, brown grass, or patches in your yard.
Depending on your grass species and health, you may want to consider fertilizing more than twice a year. Cool-season grasses should be fed in the spring and twice in the fall while fertilizing warm-season grass species can happen in the hottest summer months.
More on Mowing
As simple as it sounds, keeping a consistent mowing schedule is highly beneficial for your grass. It can aid in preventing weed infestation by keeping the grass dense and healthy. After you’ve spent time and effort on weed removal, don’t slack on this simple lawn care step of consistent grass mowing.
Small changes to your mowing routine can make a big difference. For example, you can change up your grass mowing pattern to encourage upward growth.
Keeping your lawn at optimal length is critical for grass weed control. Be sure not to cut it too short as this can make it easier for weed seeds to germinate in the soil. Depending on your type of grass, you may want to aim for no less than two inches in length and then base your mowing schedule around how quickly it will grow.
Keep in mind that environmental factors, such as rain, can affect how frequently you may need to mow your lawn. Mowing your grass when the soil is wet can result in a build-up of grass clumps. There are even some benefits to mowing your weeds - damaging the plants and cutting off the tops will make for a quicker deteriorating plant and make weed removal easier.
See more tips on how mowing can improve grass health and other lawn care to-dos that you can incorporate into your routine.
Types of Weeds
The nuisances of lawn weeds come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and varieties. Lawn weeds may be annual or perennial. Annual weed types will grow only once per year but will heavily seed, which is why it is crucial to remove these weeds before the seeds are produced and spread. The removal of perennial plants should be done to the entire weed to prevent return. A single perennial grass weed can live for over two years.
Weed types also differentiate by season in addition to their timely growth pattern. Different types of weeds exist as summer annual weeds and winter annual weeds.
There are several types of weeds that are common in residential and commercial lawns:
- Crabgrass
- Dandelions
- Clovers
- Bindweed
- Quackgrass
- Nutsedge
While some weed types are easily recognizable, you might not always know what you’re up against when it comes to a weed infestation. For example, bindweed leaves are shaped like arrows and grow up to six feet tall, in an intertwined fashion.
To identify weed types, pay close attention to their physical appearance, growth size, and growth location. The location of your weeds can give you insight into their preferred growing conditions (sun vs. shade), which can help you differentiate what type of weed is growing in your lawn.
In addition to learning about the types of weeds growing in your yard, learning about your grass type will help you to know how to care for it properly. Your grass type can also point you to which types of weeds might be typical for that species.
Once grass weeds begin to seed, the wind can naturally allow these seeds to spread, making a significant impact on your lawn. Regardless of weed type, early weed removal is essential in controlling the spread of seeds and flowering.
The Best in Lawn Care
Removing pesky weeds is the first action needed for healthy and robust grass. Consider adding lawn seeding, aeration, and fertilization to your regular lawn mowing routine.
Whether you're a lawn care expert or just getting started, there’s never a wrong time to learn more about weed types, grass weed removal, and how you can improve your overall landscaping.
