The Best Weed Control for the Lawn

Maintaining a healthy and attractive lawn can be a time-consuming proposition for many homeowners. The array of lawn products for weed control, both organic and synthetic, is confusing and worrying to those who are concerned with the effects of these chemicals on the environment. To simplify matters, look to the advice of experts to find the best weed control for the lawn for your area and your particular needs.

The best way to control weeds is to maintain your lawn in optimum condition. Compaction, mowing at the wrong length, fertilizing practices and inadequate irrigation can all affect the growth of weeds in your lawn. Cut only one-third the length of the blades during mowing, according to the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program. Aerate the turf yearly to prevent soil compaction. De-thatch the dead layers of grass that accumulate at the soil level as recommended for your type of grass. Fertilize as recommended for your type of turf. A good source of information for maintaining the type of grass that grows in your area is a local agricultural extension service. These measures help reduce the number of weeds that find opportunities to root in your lawn.

Chemical weed control products come in two basic types. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weeds from germinating. These are used in the spring before weeds take hold. Post-emergent herbicides kill weeds after they have sprouted. These are used during the summer months when weeds spread prolifically. Chemical weed products also come in types that kill broadleaf weeds, like dandelions henbit, and grass-type weeds, like crabgrass and goosegrass. Select only the type of herbicide you need for your weed problem and use only according to package directions.

If you are one of the many homeowners that worry about the effects of chemical lawn products on people and the environment, you may prefer to control weeds with organic lawn products.. Close attention to lawn maintenance will help prevent weeds from rooting. Hand-weeding can keep problems to a minimum. Herbicidal soaps are available that can be used to spot treat weeds. Corn gluten meal is a byproduct of the corn-processing industry used as a pre-emergent herbicide against weeds like crabgrass, barnyardgrass, dandelion and purslane, according to Ohio State University horticulturalists.

Research carefully before you apply weed control products on your lawn. Some types of grass are extremely sensitive to the chemicals in herbicide products. For instance, St. Augustine grass, often used in hot climates such as Florida's, suffers damage from many types of chemical herbicides except atrazine. A common spot-treatment herbicide, glyphosate, kills many types of grasses, even to some extent, tough Bermuda grass. Other grasses, like tall fescue, suffer damage when grass plants are young and tender, according to the PlantManagementNetwork turf specialist Grady Miller. Read labels carefully before using herbicides to avoid damage to your lawn.