If you’re like most property owners, you put a lot of work into your lawn- so those patches of crabgrass, clumps of clover, and dandelions that seem to appear out of nowhere can be annoying. The best way to prevent weeds is to ensure that your lawn is thick and healthy- but they still often push their way through. There are some things you can do to prevent weeds from taking over your yard.
If you’re in or near Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, and need help with your lawn care, contact Hambleton Services. We have been servicing Haywood County since 2009 and have experience and expertise in lawn care and maintenance.
In this article, we’ll define the three primary categories of weeds, how to control them, and how to prevent them from coming back.
Weeds Explained
Basically, a weed is a plant that grows where it’s not wanted. There are three primary categories of lawn weeds:
- Broadleaf
- Grassy
- Grass-like
Broadleaf
Broadleaf weeds are characterized by leaves that are broad and flat. Some examples of broadleaf weeds are:
- Chickweed
- Thistle
- Dollarweed
- Clover
- Chickweed
- Dandelion
- Creeping Charlie/Ground Ivy
- Plantain
- Oxalis
- Henbit
Grassy
Grassy weeds look and grow like grass- one leaf at a time. Some examples of grassy weeds are:
- Quackgrass
- Foxtail
- Crabgrass
- Annual Bluegrass
Grass-Like
Grass-like weeds look similar to grass, but the leaves are tube-like and hollow or triangular. They are not flat like grass blades. Some examples of grass-like weeds are:
- Wild garlic
- Nutsedge
- Wild onion
Tips for Controlling Weeds on Your Lawn
If you find that you have more weeds than grass, it’s still possible to get the lawn you want by tackling them head-on. You can do this by using weed killer and grass fertilizer or by calling in the professionals at Hambleton Services.
If you only have a few weeds, you can hand-pull them. annual weeds, such as chickweed and crabgrass have fairly shallow roots and can easily be controlled by hand-pulling.
Perennial weeds, such as thistle and dandelion, are a bit harder to control with hand-pulling because they have deeper roots. If you leave behind even the smallest piece of root, it will grow back. The ideal time to hand-pull these weeds is when the soil is damp and the weeds are young.
If you only have a few weeds but you don’t have the time to hand-pull them or you don’t want to risk them growing back, you can use a spot treatment on them. However, make sure to read the label to make sure that it’s safe for your grass. You don’t want to end up killing your grass also.
Weed Prevention
You can easily stop annual grassy weeds such as foxtail and crabgrass in the spring when the seeds/seedlings are vulnerable. This will prevent them from becoming an issue in the summer. Use a weed killer on them to stop them before they grow- make sure to carefully follow all directions.
Other ways to prevent weeds from taking over include:
Feed lawn regularly
The best way to prevent weeds from taking over is by taking proper care of your lawn. If it is stressed, there’s a higher chance that weeds will take over. If you take the time to feed your lawn every 6 to 8 weeks, it keeps it looking thick and lush, and leaves very little space for weeds to get in.
Mow higher
Weeds are like all other plants- they need sunlight to sprout. By mowing at a taller height, you keep sunlight from getting down to the soil. This means that your grass is able to grow tall and thick, while the weed seeds wither and die because they’re kept in the shade.
Water deeply
By watering deeply and infrequently, your lawn is able to grow deeper roots- which means it can compete with the weeds. When you water frequently and shallowly, you encourage shallow roots, which means your grass is at an increased risk of suffering during drought and heat. On the other hand, when your lawn has deeper roots, it grows thicker, crowding out weeds.
Do You Need Help with Your Lawn?
If you need professional help with your lawn care and maintenance in or near Haywood County, contact Hambleton Services. We offer both commercial and residential lawn
