The best defense against common turfgrass weeds is a dense, healthy lawn achieved by proper maintenance year-round. A dense lawn restricts light from reaching the soil preventing weed seeds from germinating. Homeowners who choose the right grass species and then maintain it properly are less likely to have serious issues with weeds.
If weeds do pop up in small areas, manual removal is recommended. For taproots, such as dandelions, use a tool to help pry the deep root from the soil. In some cases, chemical
removal may be warranted to keep the lawn healthy and prevent the problem from spreading.
The next step for weed control, after proper lawncare, is weed identification. If you don’t
know what weed(s) you’re trying to control, you won’t be able to develop an efficient
plan. This time of year, the common weeds are dandelions, henbit and chickweed.
Treating the area when the weeds are small will provide the best control. For any
chemicals applied, always read and follow the label carefully. Only apply chemicals on a
day that is wind-free and at least 50 degrees F.
For help identifying weeds in your lawn and developing an action plan for controlling
them, contact your local Extension agency.
