Lawn Weeds
A healthy lawn can expect an occasional weed but weed seeds exist by the millions in the soil. It is important to control the germination of those weed seeds. A thick and healthy lawn goes a long way in preventing weeds.
Occasionally, even in a thick, healthy lawn, a few seeds will germinate. For the most part you can ignore a few nuisance weeds that pop up during the growing season. However, next season you'll probably see more weeds throughout the lawn. We won't ignore those few nuisance weeds. When you're a Grassroots Lawncare client, every visit we make to your lawn we'll be on the lookout for nuisance weeds and we'll treat for them on the spot.
A lawn full of weeds signals more problems than just weeds. Most weed problems are related to the top soil's health and condition, and the vitality of the turf grass. Soil problems usually fall into several categories:
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Lack of soil nutrients
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Soil compaction
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Thick thatch layer
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Inadequate water, or too much moisture
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Too much shade for the turf grass to develop to its full potential
Weed seeds exist in every soil by the thousands per square yard. The reason you don't see thousands of weeds is because they must have the right conditions to sprout. Often all the weed seeds need are a little moisture and sunlight! Sunlight is the key. A thin lawn allows plenty of light to reach the soil. A thick lawn blocks that light.
When there are soil problems, it usually reduces the vitality of a lawn's health. It slows the vigorous growth normally associated with a healthy turf grass. The lawn begins thinning out and when this happens, more sunlight reaches the soil and creates the right environment for weeds to take root.
Once weeds are growing they rob the soil of additional nutrients the grass needs as well as moisture which is vitally important during periods of drought. Lawns extremely weed infested need something more than to just kill the weeds. Begin planning soil improvements. This means regular fertilization, dethatching, regular aeration, adding top-dressing occasionally and overseeding your lawn.
Follow these guidelines and in a short period of time your top soil will be one of the best top soils in the neighborhood. When you have a great top soil you are going to have a great lawn.
Types of Weed Control
For lawns, there are two types of weed controls: pre emergent and post emergent. Pre emergent weed controls. Pre emergent weed controls prevent many grassy type weeds from taking root in your lawn. This is a time sensitive application and must be in place in the early spring. Once applied, an invisible protective layer stops weed seeds form taking hold. This will prevent crabgrass and other grassy weeds from rooting.
Post emergent weed controls takes care of weeds after they have sprouted. Dandelions are a good example of a weed controlled by post emergent controls. Unless weeds are extensive, we normally spot treat for these types of weeds. If lawn weeds are extensive, it may be best to wait until early fall when new grass seed can be applied. Killing off all the weeds in mid summer could leave some large holes in the yard.
We can control your lawn weeds using both pre-emergent and post-emergent weed controls.
