Removing weeds

There are several things one can do to get rid of weeds and give lawn a facelift. If the lawn contains less than 50% weeds, as a substitute consider trying to create better conditions for grass to grow. Improving the lawn in the fall and spring will work with the natural growth cycle of grass and take advantage of seasonal rains. Weeds have been plaguing people for many years. This curse was not limited to cultivated cropland. To maintain attractive lawns you have to learn to manage weeds. Weed control in a lawn begins with a healthy, energetic, dense stand of turf. Healthy turf helps control weeds by growing to fill bare areas, shading the soil surface and shading newly emerged weed seedlings. Without sunlight many weed seedlings cannot survive. A beautiful, weed-free lawn can bring a sense of pleasure and achievement to the homeowner.

Weed Identification

Weed detection is the first step toward chemical control and the pest must be correctly identified before herbicide to control it can be selected. Several inexpensive detection guides are available at most bookstores. Most of these guides contain colour photographs as well as written descriptions to help the homeowner. Lawn weeds can be grouped into one of three broad classes like grasses, sedges or broadleaf.

Control

Most of the turf-production practices are not only intended as weed control methods but help control weeds. This includes use of soil tests to maintain recommended pH, timely addition of rates of fertilizer, controlled irrigation during periods of limited rainfall, insects and disease management and proper mowing. Bare soil is a prime area for weed raid. Bare areas should be reseeded, plugged or left for adjacent grass to grow into. Areas reseeded should be covered with mulch like grain straw until turf fills the area. Regardless of how well one manages the turf, weed seed germinate and seedlings emerge. The person should rely on other control methods when this occurs. Some scattered weeds like wild garlic can be removed by hand. However, hand removal is a tedious and time-consuming process. Herbicides that will reduce the time required to control weeds are available in the market and can help to control weeds easily.

Recommended Reading

1. Good weed control pesticides
Lawn weeds may be divided into two classes based on the way they emerge from the seed. Most monocot weeds...
2. Pre emergence of annual weed control:
A word on the weeds: Weeding is an inherent process that is related with lawn maintenance and growing. From the...
3. Reseed
Period Suppose the lawn has bare areas, a brown patch or is getting thin it is time to reseed. It...
4. Renovating lawn in time
Renovation of lawn involves killing existing turf and replacing it with new grass without tilling or changing the grade that...
5. Care for newly seeded lawn
Appropriate watering, fertilizing, weed control and mowing are key to success for existing lawn or establishing a new lawn from...