Weeds are a menace to any lawn. They can choke out the grass and make it difficult or impossible for your yard to grow properly.
The key is prevention. If you want a weed-free lawn, you need to do everything in your power to keep them at bay before they even have the opportunity to take root.
Keep reading for tips on how to avoid weeds in your lawn.
Contents
- How to Avoid Weeds in Lawn
- 1. Keep Your Lawn Well-Mowed
- 2. Water Well
- 3. Proper Lawn Feeding
- 4. Mulch
- How to Prevent Weeds in Lawn
- 1. Use Weed Blocking Fabric
- 2. Apply Pre-emergent Herbicides
- 3. Use Organic Mulch Blends
- How to Prevent Weeds in New Lawn
- 1. Inspect the Lawn Regularly
- 2. Keep the Grass Healthy
- 3. Use Grass Seed Free from Weed Seed
- 4. Proper Mulching
- 5. Promote Good pH
- 6. Use Polypropylene Weeding Fabric
- How to Avoid Weeds in Lawn (FAQs)
- How else can weeds be controlled before planting?
- Why are weeds growing in my new grass?
- Can you spray weeds on a new lawn?
- Author
How to Avoid Weeds in Lawn
1. Keep Your Lawn Well-Mowed
If you have lots of weeds on your lawn, it’s a sign that something is off. The longer the grass is left to grow, the more time there is for weed seeds to germinate and grow into mature plants.
It starts with just a few weeds here and there, but before you know it, you’ll have a full-fledged weed problem. To avoid weeds in your lawn, mow your lawn high and regularly.
2. Water Well
It’s not enough to water the top layer of grass; you need to get down to the roots. Your grass needs to have a strong root base for better absorption of nutrients and better compete with weeds.
Ideally, you should be watering your lawn every day or every other day to ensure that the roots are getting plenty of water
3. Proper Lawn Feeding
A lot of lawn care companies out there will tell you to cut back on your fertilizing. Weeds love abundant nutrients, and they grow like crazy when there are rich in the soil. You need to strike a balance between feeding your lawn too little and feeding it too much.
Only fertilize when it’s necessary. A simple once-a-month application of fertilizer is enough to keep your lawn healthy and weed-free.
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4. Mulch
Mulch is one of the best ways to keep your lawn looking beautiful. It provides protection against weeds, promotes healthy soil growth, and maintains moisture at the root level.
You should mulch any bare patches on your lawn and apply mulch around plants to prevent weeds from growing nearby.
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How to Prevent Weeds in Lawn
Prevention is definitely better than cure. Keeping your lawn weed-free is entirely possible if you know what to do. Often, we look for quick fixes and immediate solutions that don’t work in the long run.
If you want a healthy, weed-free lawn, you need to put in the effort upfront.
Here are some worthy but straightforward techniques that will keep your lawn looking beautiful all summer long.
1. Use Weed Blocking Fabric
Weed blocking fabric will help reduce the number of weeds that come up from below the grass. You’ll need to make sure you buy the right kind for what type of grass is in your yard first, though. While it won’t last forever, it’s a practical and cheap means of keeping weeds at bay.
You’ll only need to buy some fabric once, and then you’ll be good to go for the long term.
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2. Apply Pre-emergent Herbicides
Pre-emergent herbicides are necessary if you want a weed-free lawn. The chemicals work by preventing seeds from sprouting. It’s got to be applied before the weeds have a chance to grow, so it’s best to apply before you ever see a single weed.
If you don’t, it’s too late. However, if you keep a consistent application schedule, this should be enough to keep your lawn clear and weed-free.
3. Use Organic Mulch Blends
Organic mulch is better than commercial mulch and is a suitable replacement for wood chips. They’re easy to find, they look good, and they’re much less harmful to your lawn than commercial products.
You can even make organic mulch yourself from shredded newspaper, cardboard, or leaves.
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How to Prevent Weeds in New Lawn
New lawns are more susceptible to weeds because the grass isn’t established and has a weak root system. It is essential to keep a close watch on the lawn after planting, so you spot any weeds early on.
Once you see them, carefully pull them up by hand and dispose of them properly.
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If you don’t, they’ll just keep coming back.
1. Inspect the Lawn Regularly
If you have a large lawn, it can be challenging to spot weeds. It would help if you kept on top of your weeding, so you don’t end up with a bigger problem on your hands.
It’s better to do it right away and prevent weeds from growing than to have them spread all over the lawn and need to treat an entire lawn.
2. Keep the Grass Healthy
A healthy lawn does not have room for weeds. Grass should be well watered, fertilized regularly, and mulched if you want to keep weeds at bay.
The more you take care of your lawn, the less room there will be for weeds to grow.
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3. Use Grass Seed Free from Weed Seed
If you are starting a new lawn, make sure it is free from weed seed. Weeds can be tough to get rid of for the first year or two of a lawn’s life.
If you use grass that already has weeds growing in it, not only will they spread to your new grass, they’ll also be more challenging to get rid of.
4. Proper Mulching
Mulching is a great way to keep weeds away from your grass. It will allow air to reach the soil and retain moisture which encourages healthy growth.
It is also essential to make sure you use organic mulch, so it doesn’t harm your lawn and is aerated adequately so your lawn can breathe.
5. Promote Good pH
The soil in your garden will affect how your plants grow and how easily weeds can spread. If your plants grow in soil that is too acidic or alkaline, they will be more susceptible to being taken over by weeds. It is a good idea to have your soil tested and make corrections as necessary.
If you keep the pH balanced, it will make it harder for weeds to grow and more accessible for your plants to flourish.
6. Use Polypropylene Weeding Fabric
Weeding fabrics are a great way to keep out weeds. They do not act as mulch, and they do not rot or decay. The plastic will last for years and keep weeds from ever growing again. It is a great way to keep weeds at bay.
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How to Avoid Weeds in Lawn (FAQs)
How else can weeds be controlled before planting?
Organic mulches may be effective for weed control, but it is better to use black plastic (weeding fabric) and a pre-emergent herbicide in the fall before planting.
Why are weeds growing in my new grass?
New grass is highly susceptible to growing weed seeds. Therefore, it is essential to stay on top of the weeding from the beginning.
Can you spray weeds on a new lawn?
Spraying with herbicides is not recommended for a new lawn. It can cause damage to the young grass and should be avoided until the grass has become well-established.
Also read: How to get rid of morning glory organically
Weeds are a nuisance to any lawn, and they can be challenging to get rid of. Fortunately, there are many ways you can prevent weeds from growing in your yard or garden.
For instance, using organic mulches, applying pre-emergent herbicides before the weeds have a chance to grow, inspecting the lawn regularly for early signs of weed growth, and keeping it healthy with regular watering, fertilizing, and mulching.
How do you avoid weeds in lawn? Let us know what has worked well for you.
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