Getting rid of weeds is a nuisance, but they aren’t growing your lawn by accident. Every type of weed has its own backstory, but no one cares why weeds appear in your otherwise beautiful, lush green lawn, only that they do. So, let’s take a look at some practical ways of getting rid of weeds fast.
1. Remove existing weeds
A few weeds are inevitable in most lawns. To put your best foot forward this season, pull weeds, root and all, by hand or with a handheld weeder (a long-handled one will allow you to do you work standing up) or a hoe (a garden or stirrup hoe).
2. Dethatch your lawn
The term ‘thatch’ refers to the organic debris that accumulates between a blade of grass and its roots. Too much and you can get dead patches and weeds can take that opportunity to move in. To ‘de-thatch’ your lawn, you have to remove the debris using a thatching rake.
3. Aerate your lawn
Sometimes the dirt under your lawn can get compacted. This stresses out your grass (and plants) and gives weeds a chance to move in. To test this, dig about a foot into your soil examine the dirt and the roots of your grass. If the roots of the grass don’t extend longer than two inches, you need to aerate! Water your lawn two days before and run a rented aerator over the lawn once. Apply compost or sand over the aerated lawn.
4. Apply grass seed to bare spots
If you have a few spots on your lawn that need a boost, beware! You don’t want to grow a new patch of weeds. Get some grass seed and cover the area. Spread a half an inch of compost or topsoil and gently rake the seeds and soil into the grass. Water the seeds in the morning and again in the evening until they germinate. Once they sprout, reduce watering to once a day.
5. Mow your lawn appropriately
Fun fact – mowing your lawn is akin to pruning a tree or bush. Mowing your lawn increases the density of the grass and a thicker lawn means less weeds! When mowing, use the 1/3 rule; never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade length at one time. Don’t scalp your lawn! You’ll get bald patches and weeds if you do. Change your mowing pattern every time you mow. This helps the grass grow upright.
6. Water and feed grass
Your lawn needs to hydrate, just like every living thing on the planet! Water your lawn, particularly during periods of drought or extreme heat. Also, don’t forget to periodically apply fertilizer throughout the year.
Bonus tips and tricks for getting rid of weeds
- A word on dethatching – this process, done right, will make your lawn look terrible for a while. But it will recover in 3-4 weeks!
- Do you have a lawn full of dandelions? Have you ever wondered why they just don’t go away? If they are persistent, aeration is the key (see tip #3).
- Sharpen your mower blades twice a season! This not only allows your grass to recover more quickly, it helps reduce your lawn mowing time.
- Mow your lawn when the grass is dry and try not to do it when it’s really hot out!
Does the idea of doing all of the things listed in this article not fill you with anticipation and joy? We’ve got you covered. Lawn Troopers has lawn care service packages to suit every need. Contact us to request a quote.