It’s that time of year again, and with all the rain we’ve had lately, weeds are popping up everywhere. We know how easy it is to go to your local hardware store and pick up a bottle of weed killer. But, how do you know your trusted weed killer won’t kill your luscious green lawn? How do you know it will actually work?
Here’s a few tips to get you started in your weed killing journey:
Before you resort to difficult broad-spectrum sprays, there are two tried-and-true methods of controlling weeds in your lawn.
DON’T MOW YOUR LAWN TOO SHORT
The first, which seems counterintuitive, is to not mow your lawn too short. Keep your lawn at three inches or more in height to encourage the grass to grow thick. The thick grass will naturally help push back the weeds.
When you mow, only cut the grass back 30% at a time. So, if your lawn is about four inches tall, it’s time to mow it down to three inches. Taking more than 30% off stresses the grass (I know—it sounds like the grass needs Valium), but anxiety-ridden grass doesn’t grow thick and strong. And mow more often. The grass is happiest with frequent haircuts that keep it at three inches, but weeds prefer long hair.
PULL OUT THE WEEDS BY HAND
The second method is labor intensive, and we’re sure you won’t like it. You pull out the unwanted plants, roots, and all (roots are very important to get), by hand. This is best done when the ground is really wet. Be sure to fill in any holes left by the unwanted plants to keep your yard nice and flat.
CHEMICAL HERBICIDES
If your lawn has become overgrown with weeds, it may be in your best interest to use a chemical herbicide. This way you can kill all the weeds at once.
If you decide to go this route, it is important to understand the difference between selective and non-selective herbicides. A selective herbicide is the product you probably want to use.
Selective herbicides kill specific, targeted weeds and will not harm your grass. Non-selective herbicides will kill any plant, grass, or weed that they come in contact with.
The Penn State Extension recommends several postemergence chemical products (those are products you put on the weeds you see, the ones that already emerged from the ground). Mesotrione, sold as the brand name Tenacity, seems to be a strong choice. These products help control several different unwanted grasses and plants (aka weeds), including crabgrass, yellow foxtail, and some broadleaf invaders. Once applied, you may get a whitish look to your lawn as the plants die, and you may need to apply it more than once to gain control. They also suggest Topramezone, brand name Pylex, which they say is like Tenacity.
If your lawn is beyond repair, consider having new sod installed. This is something your local landscaping company (like us) can help you with so you’ll get a lawn mirroring a golf course instantaneously.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
The time of year you apply the chemical may help, according to North Dakota State University. If you spray the weed killer of your choice in the fall—when the days are shorter and the nights are colder—the plants will suck the stuff up and send it down into the root system. The plants are trying to fill the roots with nutrients to protect themselves for the upcoming winter, but you’re giving them stuff that infects the entire root system, so they die and don’t reappear in the spring.
When dealing with weeds, especially when wanting to use any type of chemicals, leave it to the professionals. Here at Stoney Acres, we can help take the guesswork out of weeding your lawn while giving your landscape access to the best products available on the market.
Call us today for a free quote: 925-6826