A Better Approach to Weed Control

Before you start spraying a chemical you  may not understand, take the time to do the research on your area, plants and weeds that are prevalent - and solutions to problems you may experience. Effective weed control is much more than spraying a product. There is much meaningful work to be done before breaking out the quick-fix bottle treatments. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make related to weeds is mowing their grass too short. When grass is mowed incorrectly, it is less healthy, making it more susceptible to weeds. The rule of thumb for most lawns is to set the mower to cut at 2 ½” to 3” high. Very likely, the most beneficial and easiest change you can make to protect your yard from weeds is simply to raise your mowing height.

“Weeds” is just a catchall term for everything growing in a lawn that isn’t the grass you want – that means, invasive grasses, broadleaf plants, trees and other unwelcome visitors. Some of them have annual lifecycles while others are perennials. Some have life cycles that begin in the spring while others germinate in the fall. This distinction is important because there are times during a life cycle where weed control products are effective against a particular weed while at other times they are completely useless. Effective weed management begins with proper identification followed by a complete understanding of that plant’s ecology and the best strategy for effective control.

Part of successfully controlling weeds is considering what lies beneath. Is there a burgeoning stand of grass that will emerge if you get the weeds under control, or are the weeds the only thing growing? Planting fresh grass seed into your lawn is a vital component of weed control for if you don’t regularly infuse your lawn with new grass, Mother Nature will be more than happy to fill your lawn with whatever is growing naturally around you. You, however, might not like what she has selected.

Once you know what you're working with and against, you will be better prepared to build the best lawn possible.