Is your lawn overrun with weeds?
Is your lawn overrun with weeds? Don’t worry, there are things you can do to take back your turf and grow the green, healthy, weed-free lawn you really want.
The first step is to get rid of the existing weeds. There are many ways to do this, but the quickest and easiest way is to apply a lawn weed control product, a selective herbicide, to the turf. If you choose not to have a lawn fertilization service do it for you, you can pick up a selective herbicide at any home improvement store. Always read the label before using any of these products. It will tell you how to apply it, what safety precautions to take, and any potential concerns to other plants or wildlife.
The absolute best way to have a weed-free lawn is to prevent the weeds from coming up in the first place. Having a thick, healthy lawn keeps the weeds from gaining a footing in your turf. How do you get that kind of lawn? Fertilize, water, and mow properly. This will help the roots to grow deep and strong, which is the key to healthy lawn turf. Here is some advice on how to get the lawn you’re looking for through correct fertilization, irrigation, and mowing techniques:
Fertilizing. There are many companies out there that will take care of this for you. But if you choose to do it yourself, you can pick up fertilizer at any home improvement store. Be sure to check the label for application directions. Make sure you schedule your applications to put down the right amount of the right fertilizer down at the appropriate times for your area.
Watering correctly. Your lawn needs about ½ inch of water each time you water because it needs to sink deep into the soil. Do not water every day. Instead, follow this rough schedule:
Summer – 3 times per week
Late Spring/Early Fall – 2 times per week.
Early Spring/Late Fall - 1 time per week. You will need to adjust watering based on factors like sunlight and sprinkler head type.
In the summer, start watering around 2 am (unless your lawn has a lot of shade.)
Check your sprinkler system at least twice a year to make sure water is covering every area of the lawn adequately.
Mowing. Don’t cut the grass shorter than 3 inches and don’t cut off more than ⅓ of the blades at a time. It’s important to cut the grass frequently.
“Mowing too short or scalping results in stress to the grass plant...“
“Mowing too short can allow weed seeds to get more sun and increase the chance of germination.” - University of Michigan Extension
Be sure that the blades on your mower are sharp and clean. If you mow weekly and your mower is capable of mulching, leave the mulched grass clippings on your lawn.
One more thing - if another landscaping or construction company leaves items on the lawn on a hot day, it can damage the lawn within a couple hours. Even mowing in the heat can leave marks on the lawn. Be careful not to refill gasoline or oil on the lawn at any time, because spills will burn the grass.